Barndominiums A Trend That’s Reshaping Rural Communities

People often associate rural areas with country homes, farmhouses, and quaint cottages. This image may reflect what rural areas looked like a few decades ago, but this is no longer true. We can now see rural areas teeming with activities we used to see only in urban areas. When it comes to housing options, people are no longer limited to traditional rural houses. One thing that you might have noticed is the growing number of barndominiums in today’s rural areas. 

This article closely examines how barndominiums are transforming today’s rural landscape. We will also tell you about the most compelling reasons why many rural homeowners choose barndominiums over conventional houses. Lastly, we will show you some fantastic barndominium floor plans you can use to build a magnificent rural barndominium. 

A rural barndominium with a large grass field.

Photo by Brandon Randolph from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-house-beside-grass-field-2042161/  

Why Build in a Rural Area?

If you are looking for a place to build a barndominium and start a family, a rural area might be your best choice. According to a USDA report, 14% of the US population lives in rural areas. This is a low percentage, considering that 97% of the country’s landmass is considered rural. This means the remaining 86% of the population lives within just 3% of the country’s landmass. 

Rural areas give you more opportunities to buy land cheaper than their urban counterparts. You can buy a large plot of land to build a house with a spacious yard and more room for expansion. 

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You can then use the savings to build a barndominium. 

Improving one’s well-being is another reason why more people are attracted to rural areas. During the height of the pandemic, most people suffered from the feeling of isolation during lockdowns. This feeling was more pronounced with urban dwellers, especially those living in cramped apartments or small condominium units. Getting stuck in a small house without even a small yard to stretch your legs affected a large swath of the population. According to the World Health Organization, the sense of isolation brought by the pandemic resulted in stress, anxiety, and a 25% increase in the number of people suffering from depression. Most rural dwellings have large yards and gardens where homeowners can relax and unwind after a tiring day at work. It can also help them start hobbies or recreational activities, like gardening. A spacious property also gives homeowners with children enough room to play or bond with their children. 

Rural areas are no longer the sleepy countryside areas of yesteryears. According to the US Census, of the total number of people living in rural areas, 54% live within a metro area. These are areas that, while considered rural, are within a greater metropolitan area where you can get all the amenities and services you need. Aside from gaining access to products and services, this also means that you are close to employment opportunities often found in highly urbanized areas.  

Another attractive aspect of living in a rural area is the lower cost of living. For example, let us compare the cost of living in a rural area and an urban area in Texas. Hutto is a rural area in Texas where the cost of groceries is around 14% lower than the national average. Houston is an urban area, and the price of groceries is just 6% lower than the national average. The difference in the cost of groceries can translate into savings that you can use for a college fund or to finance your dream vacation. 

Why Build a Barndominium?

If you are building in a rural area, why construct a barndominium? Why not go for the safe choice and build a farmhouse or country home?

• Can be cheap – Barnominiums can be cheaper than conventional houses. Barndominiums often have simpler designs that make them easier and faster to build. This means you can expect lower labor expenses and overall construction costs when building a barndominium. However, this applies to basic barndominiums only. If you plan on building a lavish barndominium with luxury features, you might spend more than building a basic traditional house of the same size. 

• Can be multi-purpose – Barndominiums can be multi-functional. Instead of constructing a structure solely as a residence, you can build a multi-purpose barndominium to make the most of your money. Build a barndo with a residence and a workshop so you can work at home instead of renting a commercial space. You can also build a barndo that combines a home and an office to avoid tiring commutes. 

• It requires less maintenance – Maintaining a house can be expensive and time-consuming. You have to constantly clean it to keep it in top condition. You must take care of cracks in concrete walls, tiles, damaged eaves, etc. Barndominiums don’t require as much maintenance, saving you time and money. You just need to ensure that there are no dents or holes on the metal sidings to prevent corrosion. It is also best to make sure that broken shingles get replaced and that no leaves or debris accumulate on the gutters. 

Check out this website if you want to learn everything about barndominiums and how you can build one. 

How do barndominiums transform rural communities?

So, what are the positive effects of barndominiums in rural areas?

• They help shape the community – Barndominiums attract a wide range of homeowners, not just those interested in barns. A barndo is an excellent alternative for those who want to experience rural life but are not fond of farmhouses. It can be an IT expert, a doctor, an interior designer, an accountant, etc. The migration of various professionals because of barndominiums can help shape the local community because they bring their own culture and tradition to their new community. They also bring their professional expertise that other community members can benefit from. 

• Improving the local economy – When barndo owners move into a rural community, they need new sources of food, products, and services. This can help boost the businesses in that community and help improve the local economy. Migrants also bring in additional property taxes that can be used to improve the services provided by that specific county. 

• Increasing the value of properties – When people move into rural areas to build barndominiums, therefore increase the value of their neighbors’ properties. The high demand stemming from rural migration is one of the driving factors for increasing property values. 

• Slowing population loss – One of the rising problems rural communities face is population loss. Between 2010 and 2020, the rural population declined by around 289,000. While this may sound minimal, it can drastically affect the economy of rural communities. Rural communities rely on childbirth to increase population, and the influx of barndo owners in rural communities can help stem this population loss.  

Final Word

Barndominiums have been changing the landscape of our rural communities in recent years. Instead of the usual sleepy communities with farmhouses, it is now common to see barndominiums dotting the rural landscape. These metal structures are cheap, practical, and multi-purpose. They are also easier to build and are ideal for DIY construction projects. 

Barndominiums can help you save money because they require less maintenance. If you want a house that stands out in your rural community, check out this collection of two-bedroom barndominium floor plans ideal for starting your rural life. You can also have a custom floor plan to ensure that your barndominium will have all the desired features of your dream home. 

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