Fancy yourself as a city-slicker for life? The buzz of city living is enticing, with endless entertainment and a vibrant energy to match. Nevertheless, large swathes of city folk are trading in the busy life for a slower countryside pace. Here, we have compiled 20 top reasons for transitioning to rural living.
Natural Beauty
Whether it's rolling hills, winding rural lanes, or babbling rivers, countryside scenery is a wonder to behold. Waking up to a natural landscape is a welcome change from the concrete jungle and makes even mundane tasks more bearable.
Mental Health Benefits
Living amongst nature and being in touch with the natural landscape has excellent mental health benefits. Having the space to breathe, slow down, and unwind away from the chaos of town allows for a less stressful way of life and can boost your mood greatly.
Slower Pace of Life
In cities, people are often on the move, rushing from one job to the next or from one social call to another. The pressure to keep up can be exhausting. By contrast, rural life tends to call for a slower pace, with far less need to hurry. Walkable villages and country lanes mean people can take their time getting from A to B. After all, why rush when you can stop to take in the sights of natural beauty?
Breathing Fresh Air
We know that air quality in cities is often poor. Even a day trip to the countryside can demonstrate this when suddenly you realize the air tastes fresher, and you can breathe far easier. A great benefit of country life is the abundance of fresh air that is far less polluted, allowing you and your family to breathe easily.
Peace and Quiet
Living in a city is rarely peaceful. The sound of traffic, crowds, maintenance, and more can be a constant soundtrack. In the countryside, expect instead the song of birds and a fresh breeze to accompany your days, providing a much more tranquil environment.
Access to Nature
There is no need to drive, take a plane, or train to get out in nature; simply walk out the door and revel in the earth's beauty. Having immediate access to the natural world is a huge selling point of rural life, allowing you to conveniently enjoy all the benefits of being out in nature, from exercise to adventure to improvement in mental health.
Outdoor Adventures
Some of the most fun activities happen in the countryside. From camping trips to natural swimming and rock climbing to hiking, access to outdoor adventures is a huge selling point of moving to the country. Save yourself the petrol bill of getting out for a scenic walk and move closer to get out there every weekend.
Improved Privacy
Are you sick of the flat opposite being able to see into your living room? With more space often comes greater privacy. In the countryside, homes can spread out more, leaving you and your family with a private space to enjoy. Equally, in an inner-city park, it can be hard to find a space alone, but the sweeping countryside has endless isolated spots to find a private moment.
Ecological Lifestyle
Being in the countryside can allow for a more environmentally friendly way of life. Walking or cycling instead of driving, sourcing food locally, and finding entertainment in nature rather than needing to travel are great ways of reducing your carbon footprint.
Less Light Pollution
Stargazing in the city is difficult. Excessive light pollution makes the stars hardly visible, and sometimes, having a dark room to sleep in is difficult. Moving into a rural area makes you much more likely to see the cosmos and sleep in a pitch-black room, with far less light pollution to spoil the view.
Close-Knit Community
Rural communities are often much closer than their city counterparts. Coming from a smaller population and often staying in the same area for generations, long-held connections and familial and friendship ties form the foundation of a strong and tight-knit community.
Eat Local Produce
With the countryside comes local farming. Heading to your nearby butcher or greengrocer means eating local produce, likely enhancing the quality of the food you eat, reducing your diet's impact on the planet, and supporting local businesses.
Cost of Living
Of course, some countryside areas are highly sought after and have a price tag. Generally, though, big cities draw big money, so the price for even a modest home and amenities is inflated. Rural areas often have more bang for their buck, providing space and beauty for a bargain price.
Reduced Stress
Hustling around the big city in high-pressure jobs amidst an ambitious population can drive up stress levels exponentially. In rural communities, living more closely to nature and away from the bustle of the city, a more steady pace of life that greatly reduces the risk of stress.
More Space
Living in the concrete jungle can cause a sense of claustrophobia. Moving to the countryside means leaving behind high-rise flats and living in close quarters, instead having much more room to spread across the land.
Safety
Residing in a rural community can be a much safer option than cities. Fewer busy roads and less traffic make accidents less likely, while crime rates are generally much lower. Moving to the country is the way to go for more peace of mind for you and your family.
Creative Inspiration
Beautiful natural landscapes, historic landmarks, and tight-knit communities have long been catalysts for some of the world's great art. Whether you are an author, poet, painter, or director, head to the countryside for abundant inspiration.
Greater Sense of Connection
In the city, it is much more likely to feel like a small fish in a big pond. Where do you start when finding connections with people and places in a location that is so large and has a great population? By contrast, small rural communities are much more approachable, and you can often get to know most of your neighbors and your local area in no time.
Quality Education
Rural areas often have a smaller community, and therefore, your children are more likely to have a smaller peer group and the potential for greater one-to-one support at school. More space allows for greater facilities, and fewer students can mean more resources per head.
Reduced Traffic
A more walkable community means fewer busy roads, meaning fewer noisy and dirty cars in your area. Better air quality, quieter streets, and a safer environment create a compelling draw for rural living.
30 Traditional Sayings That Are Now Considered Offensive by Woke Culture
30 Traditional Sayings That Are Now Considered Offensive by Woke Culture
21 Habits Often Associated With Having a Lower Social Status
21 Habits Often Associated With Having a Lower Social Status
25 Social Issues Gen Z are Determined to Cancel
