10 Easy Ways to Create a Homestead in the City

1. Live a simpler life

My family has found a number of ways to lead a simpler life. We decluttered our home. We decided not to flood our kids’ schedules with extracurricular activities. We eat at home and very rarely go to restaurants.

If you are able to play with your kids after dinner or take a walk, you are living a simpler life. If your home is decluttered you are practicing a simpler life. Time and attention are our most valuable commodities.

Simplifying your life will open up more space to spend your time and attention in ways that bring meaning and joy to everything you do.

2. Get out of debt

Living like a homesteader means you don’t have the weight of debt sitting on your shoulders. Make a plan that will help you get out of consumer debt. Living a simpler life will help you save money and pay off your debt.

3. Grow a garden

If you have access to outdoor space, or even if you just have some available windowsill space, consider growing some fruits and vegetables.

Having a garden is a great way to bring variety to your diet and make you feel more connected to the land. Pull back from relying on supermarkets and think about what you can grow in your own garden to provide you and your family with delicious and nutritious homegrown produce.

We built some raised garden beds in our yard. Now we are able to grow bell peppers, tomatoes, eggplants and so much more. There is nothing more gratifying than eating food you grew yourself.

4. Use it up, wear it out

Use is it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. That is the homesteader mindset. A homesteader is not going to rush to Target just because there’s a small hole in their shirt. They will wear their clothes until they are completely worn out.

A homesteader will get out their sewing kit and mend the garment to get as much use as possible out of every item.

5. Raise chickens

If you are a meat eater, consider raising chickens or other sources of meat. We raised 17 chickens in our small backyard and it was an amazing experience. The great thing about raising chickens is you will no longer need to rush out to the market to buy eggs.

Rhode Island Red hens are the best hens for laying eggs. They lay the most eggs a year compared to other hens, and their eggs are gorgeous, brown eggs. If you prefer white eggs, go with a White Leghorn hen. For colorful blue eggs, an Ameraucana chicken is the best.

6. Buy in bulk and build a prepper pantry

Buying in bulk is cheaper and will save you many trips to the grocery store. You can buy high-quality products at a much lower price. We save so much money on organic oats, rice, beans, sugar, and much more by buying in bulk.

A prepper pantry is like an emergency pantry except that you’re eating out of it as you build it. This ensures that the items are in constant rotation which will allow you to avoid building on expired stock.

Consider it to be your own insurance policy so you know you’re always prepared and ready for anything.

7. Make food from scratch

When you live in the city it’s easy to go to restaurants or buy ready-made food at the supermarket. To shift to the homesteader mindset, start making whatever you can from scratch.

You don’t have to be a purist about it. You can have some items here and there that will save you time when there are too many other things going on but aim to make what you can 80-90% of the time.

8. Dry clothes on a clothesline

Take advantage of the summer heat and reduce the heat in your home by avoiding the overuse of appliances. Hang some rope or get a drying rack. Using natural resources is effective and free.

9. Start a compost bin

If you want to waste less, take some of those kitchen scraps and start your own compost bin. This can be done in a regular trash can. You can also just start a pile in your backyard and fence it in. It will take work because you constantly need to till, but it will be great for your garden.

10. Preserve food

Preserve food for out-of-season eating. If you don’t grow enough fruits or vegetables in your garden for preservation, find local farms surrounding your city and purchase them there in bulk.

We have a peach orchard nearby and I preserve peaches in jars to enjoy during the winter months. I freeze some and make jelly with some as well.

Homestead in the city

I hope these tips inspire you to bring homestead living into your city spaces. If living on a farm is not feasible for you right now, use these ideas to bring you closer to that lifestyle.

Let me know if you have ideas for homesteading in the city. Leave me a comment so we can exchange ideas and help each other grow.