Anybody live or used to live by woods/forrest and/or open water?

[TreeBathing]

Did you like it? Were there any downsides?like pests or noise? If you lived by open water, particularly with children, did you feel safe?

I’ve found a property I’m interested in on the edge of steep sided open water and forrest. I love the location and can picture days spent enjoying nature or just admiring the beautiful view but I’m worried I’ll be too frightened to let my children play outside in case they fall into the water. There is nothing separating the house from the steep sides just a few meters away and I won’t be able to erect barriers due to a right of access for another property.

The house itself is a compromise for the location so I need to decide if it will be worth it.

We live on edge of forest, love the setting. Have secured perimeter with fencing to keep out deer or other animals (badgers etc), also have decent security as feel a bit isolated. Wouldn’t change a thing. We have a river but too far for kids to go on their own. Just need a dig bow!

Dog now

Both. Depends how old the children are. Mine has been there since he was 4 and just doesn't go to the water on his own even now at 9.
Woods - send them in - with a knife - have a cup of tea.

Forest here. Can’t fence as we’re in a Provincial Park. In the last few weeks many trails around here have been closed because of bears (both brown and grizzly).

If we go for walks in “safe” areas we carry spray and bear bangers. DH also carries a knife when out running.

Here’s our breakfast visitor from yesterday.

I live near a forest and we have lots of deer, pheasants and foxes etc. There is no deep water and my children used to enjoy riding their bikes on the cycling paths when they were young.

Have lived next to both in Colorado&rainforest in QLD..id never be able to return to seeing my neighbours or worse-hearing them like when we lived in UK..id totally go for it-being immersed in nature&the environment does wonders on a emotional&spiritual level..kids need a bit of supervision initially if its not what theyre used to but would wholeheartedly agree with the penknife comment-got DD a fancy inscribed one for her7th along with binos&native bird book..all DC are excellent distance swimmers,kayakers etc from the amount of time theyve spent around water&1st aid courses a must.

Backing onto woods with ponds. So many different birds in and out of the garden, different sounds and changing light. Marking the seasons differently. Love it!

Water wise it depends how old your children are. Toddlers no. Older yes, you just teach them to respect it.

Only other downside is biting flies except in winter.

Thanks for the replies all.

My kids are older (11 and 8) but my 8 yo is easily the most accident prone person I know so it makes me nervous. She can be headstrong and curious so may defy my instructions. She also can’t swim very well. The lake has fishing jetties positioned all around so she may be tempted to go down to those. The wooded area surrounds the perimeter of the lake which is fed by a series of streams and pools so they will be near water all the time when in the woods. On the other hand, It’s a nice mix of rural and close to town so we get the best of both worlds.

I can’t decide whether this will be the best lifestyle for me and my kids or inviting an anxious nightmare where I constantly worry she’s fallen in the water.

I lived in an apartment block on the very edge of the forest where I lived in Germany as a teen. I LOVED it. It was 'my' forest. I spent hours and hours in it walking and biking.

We get lots of spiders in the forest!

I would be more than happy to live there for ever a bit, try it out for you OP

I live quite rururally, I'm surrounded by fields and have a large garden., we have a deep stream running through it. I would not let a small child out to play on their own, as they could wander off and get hurt or drown, and I have noticed visitors with small kids don't either, the garden is three acres, so if they hurt themselves snd an adult wasn't present, it would be unlikely we would hear from thr house

At eight I wouldn't have hesitated, but my daughter was and is sensible. If you're worried about yours then I'd say don't do it.

We lived beside the sea as children and had a jetty and strong currents there. It was an idyllic childhood tbh. Our parents were very vigilant though about water safety, dangers around water and teaching us how to swim.

I think if you move there you'll probably have to ensure that your children are taught those things - which is no bad thing, having awareness and ability for being in and around water a good life skill to have.

at 11 and 8 it's better then toddlers though.

We live next to woods, and the wild life coming in the garden never gets boring(teen dc still delight in it) apart from the foxes attacking the chickens. We don't keep chickens anymore as nothing stopped them.

We have groups of deer, and muntjac wondering in and out. The muncjac can be noisey as well as the foxes, at certain times of the year tawny owls make a right racket.

I love all the noises, unless it's a muntjac at 3am right outside the bedroom window

We have 120 acres of woodland. Our property is in the middle of a forest. Our nearest neighbor is 2 miles away. Nearest tarmac road is 5 miles.

I love living here, the wildlife is amazing, I love being self sufficient. I feel totally safe and never lock doors.