What to Know About Ranch Living According to the Property Brothers

In their latest HGTV offering — Chasing the West — Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott help a particular breed of adventuresome homebuyers find out-of-the-way homes, farms and properties to fulfill their dreams of ranch-style living. What should you know about life on the ranch and the American West? The Scott brothers, who, in fact, actually grew up on a ranch, have a few pointers.

Before they became the Property Brothers, Drew and Jonathan grew up on a 160-acre ranch in Colorado. In a way, the American West made them who they are. Now, they want to share their passion for country living, along with their well-honed real estate expertise, with a growing movement of people who are yearning to try an alternative to big-city life. "Imagine waking up to the biggest sky you've ever seen in a place where your dreams can take flight," says Jonathan. "This is it."

Jonathan and Drew came by their affinity for ranch living honestly. "We grew up on a horse farm in Maple Ridge [British Columbia]," says Drew. "Then, at 14, we built the family ranch in Alberta at the foothills to the Rocky Mountains. We absolutely loved growing up there. It taught us about hard work and determination. We didn’t have a bunch of expensive toys or fancy things, but we had each other, and I think that’s why we’re such a close-knit family today."

Ranch living is, in large part, about possessing, cultivating and celebrating a profound appreciation for the natural world. "Life on the ranch was all about getting outside and enjoying nature," recalls Jonathan. "Drew and I loved riding horses, hiking, fishing, camping and fixing things around the house with our parents and brother JD. And we obviously got into plenty of mischief along the way."

Authentic ranch living may mean you have to give up some of the conveniences in urban or city settings like, say, Manhattan, Chicago or Los Angeles. While many welcome the quieter, more remote lifestyle, proximity to a city may be key for some. "There are plenty of places in the US where you can have a bit of both worlds," says Jonathan. "We toured some properties on Chasing the West that had great schools and stores nearby. You may have to trade things like a coffee shop down the block or a store around the corner for a breath of fresh air, but it won’t feel like a sacrifice if that’s your dream."

In Chasing the West's premiere episode, Drew and Jonathan participate in a tire-rolling competition at an off-roading meetup near the town of San Andreas in the California foothills. "When people think of ranches or remote living, they may think it’s lonely or too quiet," says Drew. "But the lifestyle is very community-based. You know your neighbors and the folks in town, and you often have to rely on each other during harvest or calving season. [If one of our neighbors'] farm animals got away, we’d always work together to return it. I find in the city, everyone is so busy. It's not as easy to connect with the people around you."

"If you’re a creature of comfort and you like to have everything you need at the touch of a button, then you might have a difficult time adjusting to ranch life," says Jonathan. "It’s a slower pace, and you can’t necessarily get something delivered in 20 minutes."

"The hardest thing is also the best thing: it's hard work," adds Drew. "You have to know what you’re getting into, but it’s totally worth it."

"If you’re considering moving to a ranch, you need to research everything," says Jonathan. "It depends on where you’re located, but there’s a chance you’ll have to get used to something new — whether it’s well water, solar energy or even spotty internet. You should ask about water and septic systems, soil quality if you’re growing crops, grid stability and even land restrictions that may affect what you want to do on the property."

Nearly everyone loves farm animals and the kinds of creatures you find on a ranch. And why not? They tend to be adorable. But it's important to remember that a working ranch is not a petting zoo. "We see homeowners get really excited about how cute the animals are or how great it is to have more land," says Jonathan. "But all of that takes work, and you should research and be mentally prepared for the lifestyle before you take the leap. It’s rewarding, but it is more upkeep than your standard house with a backyard."

There are those who thrive on the sounds, excitement and never-ending activity of big-city living, but if a slower pace, scenic views, open spaces, solitude and quiet are more your speed, ranch life may be for you. "We've had a blast getting back to our roots on Chasing the West," adds Drew, "and it was a great reminder of what it’s like to get out of the city and appreciate that lifestyle."