Life is a process, not a goal. Choosing where to spend your time, to spend your life has always been something to wonder by many. Countryside in general is a great place to live, however, also there are some disadvantages living there compared to in the city as well. On one hand, the living environment in the countryside is fresh, clean and friendly in most cases. You don't have to worry about the industrial air, dust or pollution of the million vehicles commuting all day and all night. One more plus thing is that you are surrounded by green trees. There are spaces for you to farm, to enjoy planting and raising animals. It is most suitable for nature lovers. On the other hand, there are high chances that it will be difficult to find certain forms of convenience like shops, airports, traffics, hospitals, entertainments, ... The choices of schools for your kids will also be limited. Travelling might be an ordeal sometimes since the public transports will not be very convenient as living in the city. One more thing to consider is the people. In general, people in the countryside are more friendly and willing to give a hand. In the city however, everyone is busy going about their life, you are more likely to find yourself lonely in a crowded city than a lovely little town in the countryside. Whichever kind of place you choose to live, it should be suitable for your life style, your family and most of all, your long-term plan of living. As long as you're happy, it does not matter
Dịch
Cuộc sống là một quá trình, không phải là một mục tiêu. Lựa chọn nơi để dành thời gian, để dành trọn cuộc đời luôn là điều khiến nhiều người băn khoăn. Nông thôn nói chung là một nơi tuyệt vời để sống, tuy nhiên, cũng có một số bất lợi khi sống ở đó so với ở thành phố.
Một mặt, môi trường sống ở nông thôn trong lành, sạch sẽ và thân thiện trong hầu hết các trường hợp. Bạn không phải lo lắng về không khí công nghiệp, khói bụi hay ô nhiễm của hàng triệu phương tiện di chuyển cả ngày lẫn đêm. Thêm một điểm cộng nữa là xung quanh bạn có nhiều cây xanh. Có không gian để bạn làm nông trại, trồng trọt và chăn nuôi. Nơi đây thích hợp nhất cho những người yêu thiên nhiên.
Mặt khác, rất có thể bạn sẽ khó tìm được một số hình thức tiện lợi như cửa hàng, sân bay, giao thông, bệnh viện, khu vui chơi giải trí, ... Việc lựa chọn trường học cho con bạn cũng sẽ bị hạn chế. Việc đi lại đôi khi có thể là một thử thách vì các phương tiện giao thông công cộng sẽ không thuận tiện lắm khi sống trong thành phố.
Một điều nữa cần quan tâm là con người. Nhìn chung, người dân quê thân thiện hơn và sẵn sàng giúp một tay. Tuy nhiên, ở thành phố, mọi người đều bận rộn với cuộc sống của mình, bạn sẽ dễ thấy mình cô đơn trong một thành phố đông đúc hơn là một thị trấn nhỏ xinh xắn ở nông thôn.
Dù bạn chọn nơi ở nào thì nơi đó cũng phải phù hợp với phong cách sống của bạn, gia đình bạn và hơn hết là kế hoạch sống lâu dài của bạn. Miễn là bạn hạnh phúc, không quan trọng thành phố hay nông thôn.
City life vs country life: As a born-and-raised city girl, having temporarily adopted a country life in Australia, I think it is safe to say I have experienced the best [and possibly worst] of both worlds. They are two entirely different ways of life – each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Note: since the writing of this article [many years ago!], I’ve lived in a few dozen other urban AND rural locations around the world. In general I tend to lean towards rural [or semi-rural] locations, however I still like getting my “city fix” from time to time.
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City Life – Advantages
You can get pretty much anything you want, at any time of the day or night. [Gosh, do I ever miss sushi and dim sum].
“Mail Order” is an entirely optional part of your vocabulary.
Public transportation [in some cities], or at least living close to amenities, saves the need – environmentally and financially – for a car.
The variety of jobs and careers available is wide. Where else can you be a slinky repair technician AND be in demand?
The variety of accommodation available is even wider. Urban lofts, flats, houses, skyscrapers, hovels, you name it.
A faux pas or fall-out with somebody is easily overcome. Just and hang out with different people.
There is always a general interest course or class available for you to take, on any variety of topics. Belly Dancing? Wiggle away. How To Write a Romance Novel? Craft those prose. Poker Website Design? Please, just….don’t.
Proximity to fire departments, police, and hospitals can make city living safer.
You wouldn’t think twice about going out to see a movie or show. It’s all right there.
You can streak through the city, completely naked, and chances are it will never get back to you. [Not that I’ve ever…never mind].
City Life – Disadvantages
Cities are inherently expensive. Besides the higher cost of living, something happens whenever I find myself in a city: I spend more money. I don’t even know where it goes. It just….goes.
The anonymity can be suffocating.
Crime is higher. The really bad kinds of crime too.
Competition for jobs is fiercer. When newcomers move to the area, they’re likely to move to the city.
The cost of accommodations is considerably higher. Even hovels come at a premium.
Pollution.
Traffic.
The rat race.
Stars? What are stars? Do you mean movie stars?
It can be a real dog-eat-dog world.
Country Life – Advantages
You look out your window every morning to see what people from the city drive for hours [and sometimes pay big money] to enjoy.
Peace and quiet. Real quiet. Hearing a car – a single car – drive by within a kilometer is a noticeable event.
Stars. Many, many stars.
Inhale. No really. You won’t smell garbage. Inhale!
Fresh air, blue skies, and way healthier living.
The grapevine is awesome [if it works in your favour].
Locking your doors is entirely optional.
People work together and look out for one another, creating a greater sense of community.
Living in the country can make you stronger and more independent as a person.
You can walk down the street of a country town, and chances are you’ll see somebody you know.
Cell phone reception sucks. [Yes, this is – or at least can be – an advantage!]
Country Life – Disadvantages
Your mail is delivered to a place that you have to drive to get to. That is, if you have a mailing address at all. [In Grenada, my address was “3rd house on the right past the pasture”. Amazon doesn’t have an address field for that].
Being sick or tired is difficult if you’re on your own. Pizza delivery is rare in the country, so you’ve got to take care of your self [or yodel at a neighbour to help you].
Piss one person off, and expect not only the whole town to know, but expect the whole town to give you the cold shoulder along with it. One move can make or break you in the country.
Because you’re so likely to see somebody you know in the street, everything seems to take way longer to do than you think.
While you’re chatting with that somebody you just saw in the street, all the stores are closing and your next chance to buy milk will be in two days.
Technology isn’t always top of the line. For example: fiber optic – what’s that?
The politics are brutal [if they’re not in your favour].
Anything within 50kms is considered “close”.
Expect to be required to order something you really need by mail at some point – and have the wrong thing delivered. [Again, if you even have a mailing address to begin with].
Getting a social life can be very difficult. [If, however, you choose to be social with trees, you’ll have no problem].
Streaking through the streets in the nude will only lead to trouble.
Want to see Where in the World I’ve Traveled and Lived?
Click on any of the dark coloured countries below to learn what I did there.
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