Like many of my relatives, I live in a remote rural area-have most of my life-and I agree that your description of the differences between rural and city life are correct-city dwellers who move out here usually don’t stay more than a year or two-they don’t have what it takes to be happy with self sufficiency...
We do have satellite internet out here, but the general store is 10 miles away, nearest grocery store-a Lowe’s market-is 18, nearest HEB, WalMart, etc is about 32 miles-and EMS and the sheriff’s deputies are 30 minutes to an hour away-there are only about 19,000 people in this whole county-the largest town has 900 of them, so there aren’t a lot of LEOs and they cover a huge territory.
I drive my 4x4 to the Lowe’s and the butcher shop every couple of weeks, and get any immediate needed stuff at the general store in between times. Most everyone drives either an SUV or a truck, usually a 4x4. Like most other people, I order everything from clothes to makeup online and UPS brings it to the gate...
If someone climbed over the gate at the road, I’d call the sheriff before they ever got to the house, while holding my shotgun-if hearing it get pumped did not deter them, then I would follow your steps, accordingly-I’ve already pointed a pistol at an intruder who burst through the front door-he was deterred....
We have property North of Town about 15 miles out, but haven't built anything there - maybe won't since we are both retired now.
Last time we had a burglar, I thought it was Hubby ignoring me, and when I realized it wasn't, I was so mad and indignant that I hollered at the guy and delivered such a blistering diatribe, that he turned around and ran back out the door and down the hill.
After he left, that's when I got scared. After it was all over. Not sure why.