Introduction:
In the realm of prepping and modern living, the choice between an urban homestead and a traditional homestead has become a hot topic. Local, State and Federal Governments continue to show how inept and reckless they are with the property and lives of their citizens. Whatever your goal, more individuals seek safe, sustainable, and self-sufficient lifestyles. Understanding the risks and benefits of each option becomes crucial. Today’s Preppedhomestead.com blog post aims to compare and contrast the Urban Homestead vs. the Traditional Homestead. Preppedhomestead.com hopes to shed some light on the unique challenges and advantages of urban and traditional homesteading.
Urban Homestead: Embracing the Challenges
Whether you are a prepper or not, Urban homesteading involves creating a self-sufficient oasis within the confines of city living. The benefits are numerous, ranging from reduced ecological footprint to the convenience of proximity to amenities. However, it comes with its set of challenges.
- Limited Space: One of the primary risks of urban homesteading is space constraint. Unlike traditional homesteads which typically have sprawling acres to work and build upon, urban homesteaders must maximize every square foot of their lot. Thoughtful planning, vertical gardening and protein maximization are essential.
- Zoning Regulations: This one is huge! My dad was a Marine. He embodied “Once a Marine, always a Marine.” As a side note, “Sempre Fi, Marine” to all my beloved jarheads out there! Thank you for your service and sacrifices. I did not know it growing up, but being a Marine inherently made my dad a prepper. We had a garden that took up about one half of the backyard. About one fourth of the backyard was a chicken pen and goat pen. I grew up in one of the largest cities in northern Texas. At that time, our city had no city ordinances regarding “livestock” within the city limits. After numerous “disturbance” calls to the local police department, the city council passed several zoning and health ordinances regarding “livestock and poultry.” Almost 30 years later, my family and friends still refer to these ordnances as “My Dad’s Laws.” I highly recommend checking local, county and State ordinances and regulations regarding bee keeping, livestock, and poultry. Navigating city regulations can be a hurdle for urban homesteaders. Zoning restrictions may limit the types of animals, structure types and sizes, or even the size of gardens. You must ensure compliance to avoid encounters with law enforcement and the zoning board. Local governments have the authority to force you to tear down your structures and garden if you fail to adhere to zoning ordinances and regulations.
- Public Nuisance: This is another issue that “My Dad’s Laws” encountered. Raising chickens and goats and keeping bees create problems with most neighbors. Roosters are loud. Goats can be messy and will get out of almost any enclosure. I have chased goats down the street more times than I want to remember. Goats are stupid and will eat anything, including your neighbors siding and vegetation. I love bee keeping. Although bees do not create issues associated with poultry or livestock, many people are allergic to them. Their allergies could create a problem with your homeowners’ insurance. Again, I highly recommend checking local, county and State ordinances and regulations regarding bee keeping, livestock, and poultry.
- Noise and Pollution: Urban environments are synonymous with noise and pollution. These factors can impact the well-being of plants, animals, and even the mental health of the homesteaders. Strategies to mitigate these effects become paramount. I will discuss some of these strategies in future blogs.
- Utilities: Although access to municipal utilities is an advantage to Urban Homesteaders, it can create some issues. Water can be cost-prohibitive for large, traditional urban gardens. Most municipalities have strict ordinances for what items can be placed in dumpsters and trash receptacles. Lastly, many cities now have “smart meters” that can monitor for and limit electrical usage creating even more headaches for the Urban Homesteader. Future blogs will cover how to be as “off grid” as possible in an urban environment.
Traditional Homestead: Embracing the Open Spaces
Traditional homesteading, often associated with rural or suburban settings, provides different opportunities and challenges.
- Abundance of Space: One of the biggest advantages of a traditional homestead is the abundance of space. Homesteads of two to five acres can ensure complete self-sufficiency for you and your family. Traditional homesteaders can enjoy large gardens, spacious livestock areas, room for various agricultural pursuits and apiaries for bee keeping. However, this space also means more maintenance and potentially higher costs. Having lived in the country, I can attest the maintenance and upkeep is considerable. Traditional Homesteads can create problems for us as we age.
- Greater Independence: Traditional homesteads often afford greater independence from external resources. With more land, homesteaders can generate their own energy, grow extensive food supplies, and even engage in small-scale farming enterprises. Local municipalities typically have the most stringent laws. County and State governments typically have far less regulations related to homesteading than local municipalities. Fewer regulations ensure greater freedom. Freedom is a two-edged sword. When I lived in the country on a five-acre lot, the lack of zoning regulations created issues with neighbors. I lived near hoarders, people that let their large, feral dogs roam, half-finished housing, and overgrown yards.
- Isolation and Distance: While the open spaces offer tranquility, they also come with the challenge of isolation. Traditional homesteads may be located far from essential services, making accessibility a potential issue. When I moved to an area several miles outside the city, friends and family came by much less. If I wanted to socialize, I had to “go to town”. The isolation was an adjustment. Ultimately, I moved back into the city to have more social interaction with friends and family. The struggle with isolation must be considered when considering traditional homesteading.
- Utilities: The lack of many essential utilities can create problems for traditional homesteaders. Although most traditional homesteads have access to electricity, living in the country means no local water or sewage. A well and septic system creates their own challenges and are very costly. Many traditional homesteaders do not have trash disposal. Where I live, the county burn bans last many months at a time, creating problems with trash disposal. With the rise of cellular phones and satellites, internet connectivity is much more dependable than it used to be. However, I lived outside the city during the ice storm of 2022 that crippled Texas’ power grid. Living in the country in sub-zero weather, without electricity and internet almost drove me crazy!
Conclusion:
Deciding between an urban homestead and a traditional homestead involves weighing the risks and benefits unique to each lifestyle. Urban homesteaders face space limitations and zoning regulations, while traditional homesteaders must contend with the demands of maintaining large properties and potential isolation. Ultimately, the choice depends on your individual preferences, values, and the willingness to navigate the challenges associated with each path. Whichever option one chooses, the journey toward a self-sufficient and sustainable lifestyle is a rewarding endeavor. Getting Prepped, not Wrecked starts with this monumental decision. Preppedhomestead.com will discuss many of these risks and benefits in future blog posts.