Even with the massive softening system in our house we still had problems with high mineral content that overly aged our water using appliances (washer, dishwasher, refrigerator, water heater and toilets). We would also have to clean out the heads of the showers and the lines to the washer frequently due to a build up of silt. We were facing a complete replacement of our filtering system when the last neighbor on the lane (we are 5th, she is 6th) approached us about sharing the cost of extending the rural water to her house (and ours) - split the cost of the main line, and each of us pay for the hookup to our own house). The line stopped at the 3rd house, so we had to bring it past the 4th house (who opted out). Per the water company, if he decides to hook up later (trying to avoid the cost of laying the main line) they have it in their records, so he will have to pay 1/3 of the cost incurred when the line was laid and the two households that paid will be refunded back to paying just 1/3 rather than 1/2.I hope rural water works well for you, when they ran by my place I passed on it. My biggest expenses on the well are some chlorine pellets, the top electrical box and the pressure switch since they don't just sell the contact points anymore. But then I do have a softener in the house though.
Overall, we've been happy with the water company AND the water quality.