With the desire for a calmer, more relaxed pace of life, properties in rural areas are selling like hotcakes. This is most true among younger demographics, reversing a decade-long trend of moving to the cities. And, as you might expect, families are embracing a gentler pace of life away from the noise and hustle of urban environments.
Have you also been on the fence, wondering whether to move to the country or not? If so, I’m sharing four compelling reasons why people choose to live in rural areas and why it might be the right move for you too…
Greater Access to Nature
One of the key reasons many people choose to move to the country is the immediate access to nature they can enjoy. Homes are often close to vast expanses of natural landscapes, whether that’s public footpaths, local woodlands or coastal scenes.
There are ample green spaces to experience the healing power of nature. When living in the countryside, you simply need to step out of your home to enjoy some fresh air and a restorative walk. I personally love strolling along the shore or going for a walk in our local bluebell woods to breathe in the scents of the scene.
Also, it’s quieter when you’re there: In urban areas, parks and other green spaces are often overcrowded by locals and tourists alike. The low population density of rural areas means that people get to enjoy the outdoors without many crowds.
Even celestial natural beauty is a lot more vivid in the countryside. For instance, the artificial lights in urban areas fail to provide a clearer view of the night sky. Streetlights in some rural areas are turned off at night and ther are many areas of natural darkness, providing opportunities for stargazing.
Most rural homes are likely to have larger gardens around the property too, especially compared to terraced homes with all courtyards, or apartments with balconies. While you can certainly make the most of those smaller outdoor spaces, it’s nice to have a larger garden available for enjoying the outdoors.
Strong Community
A strong community is characterised by shared values and a sense of belonging. Psychology Today notes that experiencing a sense of belonging is crucial to our well-being. The truth is that community can be found just about anywhere,e and that sense of belonging and acceptance is so beneficial to us.
In rural areas, the population is not too dense, so there are often initiatives in place to encourage communities to come together locally. Also, the rural population is not as transient as the metropolitan (where people move in and out frequently), which means most people know each other very well and have the chance to build meaningful and lasting bonds.
It is true to a certain extent that there is strength in diversity. On the flip side, it also leads to anonymity, and people may not feel as connected. Plus, a faster-paced lifestyle leaves little to no time for face-to-face interactions. Country living is characterised by a strong community and time for friendly neighbourly relationships.
Different Transportation Patterns
While adopting a slower pace of life is possible in the city, it’s nothing compared to the relaxed lifestyle of the countryside, as a rural community or countryside fundamentally shifts your relationship with time. And that’s particularly true when it comes to transport!
While you won’t find regular transport connections such as buses and trains arriving every five minutes, you will find significantly less traffic, noise, or pollution in the country. Because of the reduced level of public transport, people travel within the community on foot or by bicycle to appreciate the scenic routes, and use their own cars to travel further afield.
The to-and-fro commute is usually peaceful and less time-consuming due to less traffic congestion. Of course, there are practical considerations to this. For instance, on occasions, you may need to travel to a nearby city for shopping, access to healthcare, or to attend an event.
During such times, the long distance and urban traffic can be both shocking and inconvenient. Depending on the area, you may be able to find public transportation options like buses or trains. Even rideshare services like Uber have expanded their availability to the countryside.
However, it would be best to avoid the latter option. Not only is there a good chance of longer wait times and higher fares in the countryside, but ridesharing is not always that safe. This is especially true for women, as an experienced Uber sexual assault lawyer TorHoerman Law shares how over 3,000 women have filed lawsuits against companies like Uber after inappropriate touching or assaults.
Since the journey from the country to the city is often remote and quiet, the safety risk increases so either choose peak hours for travelling or opt for alternative transport links – best of all would be using a personal vehicle to go back and forth.
Reduced Stress
Many people who live and work in the city can attest to what is known as ‘city living blues.’ Such areas are rife with all kinds of stressors, from environmental pollution to work pressures.
What’s shocking to note is that presently over 50% of the world’s population lives in the city. This percentage is expected to become 70% by 2050! No wonder we are seeing a steady rise in physical and mental illnesses among urban dwellers.
A lot of the stress that those in urbanised locations deal with has to do with the rush and fast-moving pace of life. This often leads the body to live in the fight or flight mode, the in-built survival mechanism that prepares the body to face a threat or flee from danger.
Imagine if you were to live life in survival mode all the time. There would come a breaking point when your body would succumb to the stress, both physically and mentally. On the other hand, many of us have heard it said that country life is stress-free, and it’s certainly a step in the right direction.
Plus, the low levels of pollution and noise make the countryside more peaceful. Studies have linked urban noise, particularly from sources like traffic, with mental health conditions like anxiety, depression and behavioral problems. Country life, with its slower pace and silence, detoxifies our ears and settles our nerves. It can enable us to live longer and healthier lives.
Are you interested in pursuing a rural lifestyle? If that’s truly where your heart is, don’t hesitate to make the move; the sooner, the better! Let me know if you’ve already escaped to the country in the comments below, I’d love to hear how you’re getting on. 🙂
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This article is a sponsored collaboration. The pink links in the content indicate a sponsored link or information source. The blog post reflects my own experience and the sponsor hasn’t had any control over my content 🙂
