Nah, you just plan better and around a life that doesn't involve a ton of time in the car. Drop off the kids and then shop right after, or hit the store on the

Nah, you just plan better and around a life that doesn't involve a ton of time in the car. Drop off the kids and then shop right after, or hit the store on the way home from work, or let the kids take the bus. Fewer extracurriculars for them but I assume since it's the country there's plenty of other stuff to do. What IS nice is that the car time tends to be long like you said, 20 minutes, 40 minutes, which is more efficient energy-wise and for wear and tear than a bunch of little 5 minute trips. You have to live a place that's right for you. I'm perfectly fine not leaving the house for days on end, there's plenty to do around here. Some of my friends would go crazy if they didn't have someplace to go every night. If you're the latter kind of person, country living is probably not going to agree with you! The same is true vice versa -- how do I go to Costco on my bike!? ;)