The entire world has had a wake-up call since Covid-19 officially became a pandemic. The simple directive to “stay home” has forced us to reinvent the way we live and work. For many of us, it’s made us take a look at our priorities and hit the reset button.

Thanks to the digital world, a lot of us are able to work from home. After settling into our new routine, we’ve found commuting time has been eliminated from our schedules and air quality has improved. Some have been able to take the time they’ve recovered to rekindle or begin hobbies. Yards are looking better and gardening is, suddenly, a big deal! Cooking is an increasingly popular activity with family meals at home becoming a regular occurrence. Unprocessed, whole foods are in demand, creating unprecedented supply problems in some cases.

This total upheaval is causing some to question the way we create “home,” including the matter of where home really needs to be. Suddenly it may not be important to be as close to work. The advantages of increased self-sufficiency have become important. We find ourselves asking “What does the ideal lifestyle look like?” and “Where can I best live it?”

Some are finding that the answer includes a little more space than you can get with an average city lot. Enough space for the size garden that could really make a difference. Space to have an outbuilding, or two, for tools and equipment. Maybe a pond. Above all, a place that offers sanctuary.

Living in the County, definitely offers advantages. Whether you’re talking about one acre or ten, residential development has come a long way in the past fifty years. Today’s rural neighborhood design can incorporate a range of lot sizes while still providing those rural vistas. Subdivision design starts with an understanding of the existing natural features, working hard to preserve the good and make improvements elsewhere. Working with nature preserves the features people like, while creating amenities (such as ponds) that can improve the surrounding environment and the quality of life of the residents.

Johnson County is that rare gem with both open spaces and welcoming towns, with assets like a nationally ranked hospital, good schools and an active arts community. Johnson County and the cities within it offer space in a community that values progressive thinking and provides an energized atmosphere for economic development.

There’s no denying that the way we create neighborhoods is changing. It’s nice to know that, however things end up, you can count on the green spaces of Johnson County for a place to call ‘home.’