Back in 2016, my wife and I were probably watching a little too much Fixer Upper.
The idea of more land, a little breathing room, and a quieter life sounded pretty great. We started imagining what it would be like to trade our McKinney neighborhood for a place in the country. Eventually, we bought a home outside of Denton on more than three acres.
We even got chickens. We were committed.
And there were things we loved about it. When friends came over, it was a blast. We had room to spread out, enjoy the property, and spend time together. On those days, country living felt exactly like we had imagined.
The rest of the week taught us a little more about ourselves.
We Loved the Property. We Missed the Community.
Once everyone went home and we settled back into our regular routine, we felt a little lonely.
We missed being in a neighborhood with a community feel. Seeing familiar faces, having neighbors nearby, and feeling connected to the people around us mattered more than we had realized.
We also didn’t enjoy the traffic on that part of Highway 380. Having more space at home was wonderful, but getting where we wanted to go could be frustrating.
And we really missed McKinney.
We missed everyday conveniences like Market Street. We missed Historic Downtown McKinney—the restaurants, the shops, and simply having somewhere we enjoyed going. All those familiar places had become part of our lives, and we hadn’t fully appreciated how much they contributed to our happiness.
The Grass Really Can Look Greener
It’s easy to focus on what your current home doesn’t have.
If you live in a neighborhood, you might wish for acreage, privacy, or room for chickens. If you live on acreage, you might wish you could walk out the front door and find a neighbor to talk to—or make a quick grocery run without planning around traffic.
Sometimes it’s hard to realize how good you already have it until you try something different.
For us, moving to the country helped clarify what we valued most. We enjoyed the land, but we missed the connection and convenience we had in McKinney. Eventually, we moved back to our home in Regents Park, and being back felt right.
Country Living Might Be Exactly Right for You
Our experience doesn’t mean moving to the country is a mistake. We have friends who made that move and never looked back. They love their space, their privacy, and the lifestyle that comes with it.
More rural living is right for some people. It just wasn’t right for us.
If you’re considering a similar move, think about what an ordinary week would look like. How far would you drive for groceries, school, work, or dinner with friends? How much property maintenance would you enjoy? Would the extra privacy feel peaceful, or would you miss having people close by?
Picture a regular Tuesday as clearly as you picture a Saturday cookout. Both are part of the life you’re buying.
Finding a Home That Fits Your Life
At Tye Realty Group, we know a home search involves more than bedrooms, square footage, and lot size. Where you live shapes your routines, your relationships, and how you spend your time.
Our country chapter gave us some great memories—and a much greater appreciation for McKinney.
Whether you’re dreaming of a few acres or wondering if a neighborhood would suit you better, we’d love to help you think through the move. We’ve been on both sides of that fence.