If you live in a big city surrounded by people, places, sidewalks, and Starbucks, moving to a cabin in the woods could be a complete culture shock. This is a move that many people today are making, however. Whether they are looking to downsize, or retire, there are numerous reasons why people choose to move to mountain cabins.

If you’re like most people, cabin life will be a completely different way of living for you and your family. Most people making this kind of change come from traditional homes and apartments where amenities surround them. Moving to the woods and being surrounded by nature is a very different experience. It will require you to readjust your priorities, think differently, and rely less on the amount of stuff you have. From selling your home and going through downsizing to reimagining your life, there are many things to consider before picking up and moving to the mountains. Let’s take a look at some tips for moving into a cabin.

Sell your home.

Usually, people looking to move to a cabin in the woods aren’t in the market for their first home. Buyers in the market for their first home are typically people wishing to start living independently in condos or smaller suburban homes. By contrast, people looking to move to a cabin are typically longtime homeowners wishing to downsize for various reasons.

As such, this will require enlisting the help of a real estate agent, holding open houses, and going through the entire process of selling and moving. Additionally, you will probably need to get rid of much of the stuff that you have accumulated over the years. Unless you are moving to one of the fancy luxury cabins, your new home will likely be smaller and more intimate.

The first step in this whole process will be to list and sell your home. This will require the assistance of an experienced real estate agent. Depending on where you live, you can search for “realtor in Oakland, CA” for example, to locate a great realtor near you. Once you’ve found your real estate agent, they will be able to guide you down the road towards listing and selling. A successful realtor will understand the real estate market and should move your home fairly quickly. With this out of the way, the real work begins.

Choose a cabin.

The next step in your journey towards mountain living will be to browse available real estate in the mountains or other areas that you wish to relocate to. You’ll want to locate a realtor who has the experience and market knowledge in the area. North Carolina, as an example, has an extensive mountainous region encompassing the Blue Ridge Mountains along the Appalachian Chain.

If you want to the Blue Ridge Mountains, you’ll need a great agent who is familiar with North Carolina cabins. Once you have obtained property information, you’ll want to check out the surrounding area to ensure that it is a great place to live among mother nature. Based on your preferences for things like a mountain view or a fireplace, you can pick the best cabin for you.

Change your life.

As discussed, moving to a cabin in the woods will require some significant lifestyle changes. Initially, you will probably need to downsize and get rid of a lot of your stuff. Aside from that, you need to think about your new daily routine, consider your shopping habits, and probably need to find new hobbies and recreational activities. Moving to a cabin in the Blue Ridge or the Smoky Mountains will be just like starting over.

Whether you want to retire to the mountains or start over, selling your home and moving to a mountain cabin will be a major adjustment. You need to be physically and mentally prepared for the work and the lifestyle changes. With some time, research and patience, however, you can achieve your goal of creating a new life surrounded by mother nature.