Some of us have already done this on our own.

Now that I don't live in London I've taken a hit on my salary and the types of work I can do. However, moving to the countryside has allowed me to spend that time with my kids instead. Today we went for a walk in the forest for a few hours and it was wonderful. We've been really lucky, we mandated a broadband connection as part of the move and the world has moved to make this a lifeline for banking, auctions, work, groceries, ... we rarely need to actually go anywhere to do things. That's quite a change from the trudge my parents had to do when I was a kid in the countryside.

I believe people have been doing this for centuries.[citation needed]

...it's not universally popular it appears

...maybe not even economic

...but they do a TV show on it

At the end of the day I feel fortunate that we can finance living in the country on a programmer's salary. Just like with having kids, I'd say my basic advice is to lower your expectations of what you'll have in life and you'll be fine.

I love that the remote turns on the PS3. Mine is two rooms away with a long HDMI cable - the kids can turn on the PS3 through the walls.

Seeing as we have a toddler, the PS3 is safely ensconced in the 19" rack and little grubby fingers and cheese sandwiches can't get to it.