Which would you pick?
option 1:
5 acres and a big old house. a vegetable garden, native flower beds, birdsong, a creek, and space for our 5 year old and dog to roam. dreams of restoring the land and maybe someday building a small working farm. potentially homeschooling so the land itself becomes the classroom.
cons: constant work. financial strain. not being able to keep up with maintenance. a pool we don't like, feels excessive and keeps breaking. long drives to school, work, groceries, everything. always feeling a little stretched thin.
option 2:
a small house on a tiny lot. maybe room for 3 raised garden beds. walking distance to school. neighborhood with other kids. no debt. less maintenance. actual savings from selling the bigger house. budget for solar panels, heat pump etc. 5 minutes from everything.
cons: no land. no farm dream. no quiet countryside mornings. no creek. less room to breathe.
i genuinely can’t tell if “simple living” means choosing the land and slower rhythm… or choosing the smaller life with less responsibility. curious what others would choose and why.