Thinking about buying an acreage because Instagram showed you a gorgeous reel with golden sunsets, tidy barns, and horses grazing like they’re in a Disney movie?

Love that for you. Truly.
But before you dive headfirst into country life, let’s talk about the REAL side of acreage living — the part Instagram definitely forgets to mention.

Because acreage life is magical…
But it’s also muddy, windy, unpredictable, and full of surprises no camera ever captures. 😅

Here’s what you really need to know.

🌅 Dream: Quiet mornings with coffee on the porch

🌪 Reality: Wind, magpies, and “what did I forget to tie down?”

Yes — there ARE peaceful mornings on the acreage.
But also: wind gusts that slam something into the side of your house, magpies yelling like they own the place, and you realizing that one hose you thought was secure is now halfway across the yard.

It’s peaceful… with personality.

🐴 Dream: Horses grazing peacefully in the pasture

😅 Reality: Horses escaping because the neighbour’s grass is greener

Instagram shows still shots.
Reality shows your horse deciding he’s an Olympic-level escapist.

Every acreage owner eventually asks the same question:
“HOW did you get out?!”

Spoiler: they won’t tell you.

🏡 Dream: A picture-perfect barn

😂 Reality: Hay in your bra, shavings in your boots, mud everywhere

You WILL find hay in places hay should never be.
Your boots? Permanently full of shavings.
Your barn? Always one project away from perfect.

It’s charming… but not clean.

🌃 Dream: Peaceful, star-filled nights

🌚 Reality: DARK. Like… darker than your ex’s soul

There are no streetlights.
None.
Your yard turns into a black void after 10pm.

You will own:
✔ multiple flashlights
✔ headlamps
✔ motion lights
✔ a backup flashlight in case the other flashlights mysteriously disappear

And you’ll still wonder what that noise outside was.

🛠 Dream: Rustic charm

🚿 Reality: Wells, septic, fencing, frozen hoses, mystery drips

Acreage owners become mini-engineers.
You learn:
• what a cistern float is
• how to reset a septic alarm
• where your pump switch is
• how to thaw a frozen hydrant
• which fence posts wiggle (and why)

Instagram doesn’t show any of this — but it’s part of the lifestyle.

🔊 Dream: Peace and quiet

🐺 Reality: Coyotes hosting choir practice at 2am

You’ll love the wildlife…
right up until the coyotes start singing outside your bedroom window.
It’s nature’s alarm clock — whether you asked for it or not.

🌟 So… is acreage life worth it?

YES.
One hundred percent yes.

Even with the mud, the repairs, the wildlife, the early mornings, and the late-night mysteries —
acreage living is grounding, peaceful, beautiful, and deeply rewarding.

You get:
✨ space
✨ privacy
✨ nature
✨ freedom
✨ horses, gardens, big skies
✨ sunsets that look like paintings
✨ room to breathe

Acreage life isn’t perfect — but it’s REAL.
And once you experience it, it’s hard to imagine doing life any other way.

📩 Want the REAL Acreage Buyer Checklist?

Before you buy, you need to know:
✔ wells & septic basics
✔ fencing & zoning
✔ drainage
✔ outbuilding conditions
✔ seasonal chores
✔ equipment you actually need
✔ things buyers always overlook

I made you a checklist that covers it all — in real-human language.

💬 DM “ACREAGE” and I’ll send it to you.

❓ FAQ

Q: Is acreage life more work?
A: Yes — but it becomes routine, and most acreage owners end up loving it.

Q: Are wells and septic systems hard to manage?
A: Not hard — just different. You need to understand them.

Q: Are acreages good for kids and pets?
A: They thrive. So much space!

Q: Do you need a truck?
A: Not required… but highly recommended. 😉

Q: Is winter harder on an acreage?
A: Yes — but the beauty makes up for it.

📚 Related Reading

• 🌾 How to Find the Right Acreage — Not Just the Pretty One

• 🐴 Equestrian Properties Near Calgary: What You Need to Know Before You Buy

• 🌲 The Acreage Features That Don’t Add Value (But Everyone Thinks They Do)

About Kristen Edmunds

Kristen Edmunds is a Calgary-area REALTOR® and Associate Broker with KIC Realty, specializing in acreages, luxury homes, and smart buy/sell strategies. With expertise in rural properties (water wells, septic, equestrian facilities) and a client-obsessed approach, Kristen helps buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals with confidence and ease.

Thinking about trading your city skyline for open fields, quiet nights, and that sweet country calm?
Love that for you. Truly.
But before you pack the boxes and start dreaming about owning chickens, let’s talk about the REAL culture shock no one warns you about. 😂

Because acreage life is magical — but the transition from city living?
That’s… an adventure.

Here are the five biggest surprises people face when moving from the city to the country.

🌚 1. The DARKNESS Hits Different

City dark: “Wow it’s nighttime, look at the glow of the streetlights.”
Country dark: “Is the universe still turned on?”

There are NO streetlights.
Your yard at 11pm?
Pitch black.
Your driveway?
Also pitch black.
Your imagination?
Very active.

Flashlights. Headlamps. Motion lights.
You’ll own them all — and use them more than you think.

But the reward?
A night sky full of stars that no city could ever compete with. 🌌

🚜 2. Neighbours Are Farther Away… But Somehow Closer

City neighbours:
Live 6 feet from you.
Avoid eye contact in the hallway.

Country neighbours:
Live 2 km away.
Know when your well pump breaks before you do.
Will plow your driveway, lend you tools, and check on you during storms.

Small-town hospitality is REAL.
And honestly?
It’s one of the best parts of acreage life.

🐾 3. Wildlife Becomes Part of Your Daily Routine

If you’ve only ever seen deer on Instagram, get ready…
You’ll see them in your yard regularly.

Coyotes? They sing at night.
Owls? They’re huge.
That weird noise outside at 1am?
Probably nothing… but you’ll still pause Netflix and turn the volume down just in case. 😅

Country living = coexisting with nature.
You get used to it — and eventually, you’ll love it.

📦 4. Amazon Prime Slows WAY Down

City Prime: “Arrives tomorrow.”
Country Prime: “We attempted delivery but got scared of your driveway.”

You’ll learn to plan ahead.
Grocery runs become strategic.
And yes — you’ll develop a new appreciation for any delivery driver brave enough to navigate rural roads after November.

🛠️ 5. You Become More Self-Sufficient (Very Quickly)

City life doesn’t require you to know what a frost line is.
Country life does.

You’ll fix things.
You’ll learn basic plumbing.
You’ll talk about your well, septic, fencing, pasture rotation, and driveway maintenance like you’re hosting your own HGTV show.

And one day, it’ll hit you:
You’re officially a country person.
Welcome to the club. 🤠

🌾 Why People Still Make the Move — And Never Look Back

Even with the quirks…
Even with the darkness, the wildlife, the slower deliveries…

People fall in LOVE with:
✨ The peace
✨ The quiet
✨ The space
✨ The privacy
✨ The sunsets
✨ The smell of fresh air
✨ The feeling of being grounded

Acreage life changes you — for the better.

📩 Want My Acreage Transition Guide?

I put together a simple, helpful guide that covers:
✔ What to expect when moving from city to country
✔ Tools & gear you’ll actually use
✔ Well & septic basics (in real-human language)
✔ Seasonal maintenance
✔ Cost considerations
✔ And how to choose the RIGHT acreage

DM “COUNTRY” and I’ll send it to you personally.

❓ FAQ

Q: Is acreage life more work?
A: Yes — but in the best way. It’s rewarding, grounding, and you get used to it fast.

Q: Can kids adapt easily?
A: Absolutely. Kids thrive with space, nature, and room to explore.

Q: Is commuting annoying?
A: It can be. But many people say it’s 100% worth the lifestyle trade-off.

Q: Do all acreages have wells and septic?
A: Most do — and understanding them is essential. (I cover this in the guide!)

📚 Related Reading

• 🌾 How to Find the Right Acreage — Not Just the Pretty One

• 🐴 Equestrian Properties Near Calgary: What You Need to Know Before You Buy

• 🌲 The Acreage Features That Don’t Add Value (But Everyone Thinks They Do)

About Kristen Edmunds

Kristen Edmunds is a Calgary-area REALTOR® and Associate Broker with KIC Realty, specializing in acreages, luxury homes, and smart buy/sell strategies. With expertise in rural properties (water wells, septic, equestrian facilities) and a client-obsessed approach, Kristen helps buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals with confidence and ease.

Thinking about buying an acreage in Foothills County? 🏡🐎 Before you bring in the horses, cows, or chickens, it’s important to understand animal units—the system the county uses to regulate how many animals can legally be kept on a property.

These rules protect the land, support good stewardship, and help keep the peace between rural neighbours. Let’s break it down.

What Are Animal Units?

An animal unit is a standardized measurement used by Foothills County to manage livestock density on acreages and farms. Instead of setting limits by “number of animals,” the county uses units to balance different species and their impact on the land.

This ensures properties can sustainably support the animals living there.

Animal Unit Examples 🐎🐄🐑🐓

Here’s a quick look at how Foothills County defines animal units:

• 1 horse = 1 animal unit 🐎

• 1 cow = 1 animal unit 🐄

• 5 sheep or goats = 1 animal unit 🐑

• 100 chickens = 1 animal unit 🐓

Other animals, like pigs, llamas, or alpacas, also fall into the system—always check the official bylaw charts for exact details.

How Many Animal Units Can You Have?

The number of units you’re allowed depends on two things:

1. Parcel size (how many acres you own)

2. Zoning designation (agricultural, country residential, etc.)

For example:

• A small acreage zoned “Country Residential” may allow only a few animal units.

• Larger agricultural parcels can typically support many more.

👉 Pro tip: More land doesn’t always mean more animals. Zoning restrictions can be just as important as acreage size.

Why Animal Units Matter

Understanding animal units helps buyers avoid surprises like:

• Needing to reduce livestock after purchase

• Facing fines or bylaw enforcement

• Land degradation from overstocking

By planning ahead, you can make sure your property supports the animals—and lifestyle—you’re dreaming of.

FAQs: Foothills County Animal Units

Q: Do all acreages in Foothills County follow animal unit rules?
Yes—animal units apply to all rural properties within the county.

Q: Can I apply for an exception?
In some cases, you may apply for a permit or variance, but approval is not guaranteed.

Q: Where can I find the official chart?
Foothills County publishes detailed livestock and animal unit charts on their website and in the Land Use Bylaw.

Q: Do chickens really count?
Yes! 100 chickens = 1 animal unit. Always factor poultry into your totals.

Related Reading

• The 5-Acre Myth: How Much Land You REALLY Need

• Well Water 101: How to Test Before You Buy

• Hidden Costs of Acreage Living Near Calgary

Foothills County’s animal unit system is designed to keep rural living sustainable, healthy, and enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re planning a hobby farm or just want a couple of horses, knowing the rules ensures your property fits your lifestyle goals.

✨ Thinking about acreage life? DM me “ANIMALS” and I’ll send you my free Acreage Buyer’s Guide with zoning charts + animal unit details.

About Kristen Edmunds

Kristen Edmunds is a Calgary-area REALTOR® and Associate Broker with KIC Realty, specializing in acreages, luxury homes, and smart buy/sell strategies. With expertise in rural properties (water wells, septic, equestrian facilities) and a client-obsessed approach, Kristen helps buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals with confidence and ease.