Living in nature, in the countryside, far from the unchained world, is becoming an increasingly tempting option (started during the pandemic) including for young couples with small children, who in a few years go to school communities.
Country life – living in the countryside in Loviștei Colaj Country
Some Romanians are willing to make radical changes in their lives, to retreat to an area as natural as possible and learn to deal with renovations, rehabilitation, construction, gardening. However, no matter how natural the lifestyle, money remains a necessity.
So an intensely debated topic on the internet is the budget calculation for a secluded life in an isolated place.
“Approximately what is the amount needed in 2024 for two people, for a decent living in the country (on top of the mountain)? It is assumed that everything is bought, plus utilities. For those who are flirting with the idea of moving to the country / countryside / in nature and want to calculate a minimum budget”sounds one of the curiosities of those groping the land, on the Facebook group “Moved to the country – life without a watch”.
Hundreds of internet users, with or without experience, tried to make a series of calculations regarding what such a possibility entails.
Most indicated that at least 4,000 – 5,000 lei/month would be necessary for two people to have a minimalist lifestyle consisting of the bare necessities, without unnecessary expenses. However, the amounts varied between 2,300 and 9,000 lei, even more.
The answer differs from case to case, from person to person and from place to place
Romanians noted that the answer depends a lot on where a person intends to start over, as prices and taxes differ from one region to another. Everything also varies according to the type of property owned, how big or how small it is, its amenities and facilities – whether it has running water, whether it is connected to electricity or natural gas, whether or not it has garden for growing vegetables and fruits, birds and other animals raised for consumption in the yard, or forest, for firewood.
It also matters if it is equipped with tools for gardening, cutting wood, etc.
Country life in Romania Collage Moved to the country – life without a Facebook watch
It also depends on the condition of the property – if it needs repairs, what kind of repairs, because in the case of old houses, for example, a lot of rehabilitation needs to be done. Or if the home is thermally insulated and/or equipped with solar panels, or other alternative energy sources.
The answer varies even depending on the owners' problem-solving, housekeeping, and handyman skills around the house.
Other things that must be taken into account are the distance to certain objectives – job, place of supply, school, etc., as well as the age of those involved in this process, the state of health, needs and demands, means of travel and even the type of heating chosen for the home: wood or gas stove, gas central, wood or electricity.
In addition, the Internet users also mentioned that unforeseen expenses such as: illness, weddings, baptisms, etc. must also be taken into account: “Of course, everyone spends what they have, some live and are satisfied with less, others have other expectations from life.”
Minimum for survival – 2,300 lei, decent living – from 7,000 lei
“I would say at least 1,500 lei for food… if you buy everything, that means no frills (maybe much less if you put in the garden), find cheap sources, be inventive and adapt, manage well… 2,300 lei per month, winter – this budget is for someone “minimalist” who has drastically reduced unnecessary expenses”, commented an extremely frugal netizen.
Another person who moved to a commune near a city, close to his parents, to his grandparents' house, in which he invested, to create all his comfort, about 60,000 euros, testified that, from her point of view a decent living “for people without vices” means 3,500 lei/person, plus or minus. He also drew attention to the fact that the main problem when you live at home is the heat and utilities, and he reminded that there is a lot to do / invest in addition to the house: “There are many additional expenses, besides the house itself. If you buy an old house, you have to redo everything, even the installations. It is recommended. I gave up the terracotta stoves… installed a gas central and, for three years, a wood central. It can't be compared in terms of price and ambient temperature!… In the countryside, you also need to build fences, sheds, and gazebos… It all depends on what stage you start with the investments”.
Country life in Romania Collage Moved to the country – life without a Facebook watch
About the dream of living in an isolated place, the same person also commented that it could only be feasible for someone who knows what it means to live in a house, by no means in a block: “The dream of moving to the top of the mountain is very foolish if you have never lived at home or in the country! You have no idea how many you need! And everything you need costs a lot. If you have to make investments / travel for work, other monthly expenses, it's complicated to build on top of the mountain, without huge extra sums. It's a nice dream, but it takes time to get the hang of what comfort you're used to or want.”
On average, according to Internet users, 2,500 lei are spent on food, to which 800-1,000 lei/month is added for heating and hot water in winter, 500 lei – water, electricity and other expenses with bottles, garbage, cable, telephones, 500-1000 lei – gas and car expenses, possibly some clothes, etc.. To these is added the monthly average for fees and taxes, insurance, unforeseen expenses and others.
In conclusion, those who know life in the country say that before making the decision to move to the countryside, to isolated places or even up in the mountains, it is good to put on paper the conditions in which you are willing to live and what you are willing to give up if you really want peace and nature: “Life in the country does not compare to that lived between concrete. Sleep well, work well, spend well! Instead, you no longer have time for salons or shopping”.
