Breakfast Diva
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 27, 2009
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I'm wondering if others out there have the same experience.
First, let me say that I love living in a rural area. I love the peace and quiet. I love looking out my windows and not seeing another house or structure. I love that we have been successful at a business where we can share our area with our guests who also love our surroundings. I love that if you're in need of help, there's a rural neighbor who will be there for you.
If you're an aspiring innkeeper, there are some major challenges when you set up your B&B in a rural area you should be aware of:
It takes forever for anything to get done. Businesses don't return your phone calls or follow up. Simple tasks take 2-3 times longer than needed because folks around here just don't seem too interested. Don't even try to get anything done during hunting or fishing season! Oh, you need a new roof or something needs to be repaired? Sure hope it's not leaking or totally broken, because it's going to take forever to get anyone out to even give you a bid.
Now that we have a thriving business, it would be nice to be able to hire some staff. Our state has the 2nd highest unemployment in the nation. 1 1/2 months ago I went to the temp agency in the nearest bigger town to find some help for the summer. I called them again yesterday and they haven't been able to find anybody. They thought they had 1 woman, but it turned out she didn't meet the standards I set. Here are the standards I gave them...drug test and background check! Yup, pretty tough standards around here!
Don't even get me started on health care in rural communities. There is not even one HMO in our section of the state because there is not a big enough population to support it. Every test you have at a community hospital costs 2-3 times as much as going into the big city (2 hours away). I have come to the conculsion that I will not be living in this area when I grow old...not enough services for the elderly and health care.
Do the pros outweigh the cons? You bet! I wouldn't have changed a thing if I had to do it over again.
First, let me say that I love living in a rural area. I love the peace and quiet. I love looking out my windows and not seeing another house or structure. I love that we have been successful at a business where we can share our area with our guests who also love our surroundings. I love that if you're in need of help, there's a rural neighbor who will be there for you.
If you're an aspiring innkeeper, there are some major challenges when you set up your B&B in a rural area you should be aware of:
It takes forever for anything to get done. Businesses don't return your phone calls or follow up. Simple tasks take 2-3 times longer than needed because folks around here just don't seem too interested. Don't even try to get anything done during hunting or fishing season! Oh, you need a new roof or something needs to be repaired? Sure hope it's not leaking or totally broken, because it's going to take forever to get anyone out to even give you a bid.
Now that we have a thriving business, it would be nice to be able to hire some staff. Our state has the 2nd highest unemployment in the nation. 1 1/2 months ago I went to the temp agency in the nearest bigger town to find some help for the summer. I called them again yesterday and they haven't been able to find anybody. They thought they had 1 woman, but it turned out she didn't meet the standards I set. Here are the standards I gave them...drug test and background check! Yup, pretty tough standards around here!
Don't even get me started on health care in rural communities. There is not even one HMO in our section of the state because there is not a big enough population to support it. Every test you have at a community hospital costs 2-3 times as much as going into the big city (2 hours away). I have come to the conculsion that I will not be living in this area when I grow old...not enough services for the elderly and health care.
Do the pros outweigh the cons? You bet! I wouldn't have changed a thing if I had to do it over again.