Are You a Country Mouse or a City Mouse?

Ask someone who lives in the country what they think of the city, and you will get a long list of things they don’t like.  Suburban residents often have a similar outlook on rural inhabitants.  Which is better for you?  To help you decide that, here are some differences between city and country living to keep in mind.

The big difference that first comes to mind between the two areas is the lot size.  Many people move to the country for bigger pieces of land.  While more land means more space and privacy, it also involves much more upkeep.  If you are an avid gardener or landscaper who enjoys working on your yard every Saturday, this might be your ideal location.  It’s good to keep in mind though, that very large sections of land may require larger equipment such as mowers or even tractors that you may have to purchase soon after moving in.  Conversely, if you are allergic to grass or hay or just hate mowing your lawn, the lack of yard space in a suburban area might be perfect for you.  While there are exceptions, house size is usually another important reason people move into the country.  Larger sections of land imply larger houses.  If your favorite weekend pursuit is entertaining your friends, you might be more interested in a more rural, spacious house.  Or perhaps the smaller, easily kept clean size of suburban house appeals to you more.

The convenience of having everything nearby is an oft-quoted positive reason for city residents.  Whereas country inhabitants enjoy the peace, quiet, and bright stars that their remoteness brings.  Public transportation is another bonus for living in the city and increased vehicle maintenance is a factor to consider when thinking about the country.  Under vehicle maintenance fits the issue of commuting.  Do you enjoy driving to and from work every day?  If commuting stresses you out, the longer commutes to and from work might be a deterrent for you to living in the country.  If you have children that go to school you might want to consider how long they will be on the bus to nearby schools and how close by the nearest hospital or emergency room is.  On the other hand, you might decide a longer bus ride is worth the extra space they have to play in when they are home.

A likely difference in the two areas is the availability or addition of utilities.  Trash pickup is not always readily available in more rural areas meaning you must make regular trips to your local dump.  The difference between paying for city water and having your own well water is a consideration for some.  If there are multiple power outages in the area, more rural locations tend to be lower down on the list for getting their power restored.

There are benefits and disadvantages to either location.  Whether you decide on a more rural or suburban area it is good to keep in mind the moral of Aesop’s fable about the country mouse and the city mouse, “Peace of mind is the greatest wealth.”