We live in a world where we can opt to have the convenience and go along with the hustle and bustle of the city or live in peace but with the slow progress of its counterpart. Some different books and researches favor one side over the other. With the various contrasting information, how can you decide what is best for you? Can the place you live in translate to happiness?
The answer is yes. Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index includes five elements of well-being:
- Purpose
- Social
- Financial
- Physical
- Community
Since community, or liking where you live, feeling safe, and having pride in your hometown, is one of the elements of well-being, let’s dive into the pros and cons of city life and country life.
City
Pros
Convenience and accessibility
If you ever find yourself in need of some toiletries at night, you can walk straight to the convenience store and even grab yourself some snacks. You can quickly go to different places in the city since public transportation is readily available. With this, you can also save some money on not having to allot to car-related costs.
There are also various restaurants and bars that you can hang out in, and you need not worry about missing the last bus or train. You can also go to malls, schools, hospitals, banks, and other establishments that would have been far had you lived in the country.
Opportunities everywhere
The city is packed with a lot of opportunities, be it for studying or furthering your studies, looking for a job, or contributing to a good cause. Many opportunities are floating around the city that all you have to do is seek and grab them.
Cons
Overpopulation and higher cost of living
The United Nations projected that by the year 2050, 68% of the world population would live in the city. With more people living in or moving into the city, the price of commodities and the general cost of living also become higher.
Air Pollution
If you were born in the city, you probably think there is nothing wrong with the air you breathe since it has been what you have known your whole life. However, when you experienced living or at least staying in the countryside for a few days, you can spot that there is a significant difference in the quality of air in the city and country. If you live in the city, you can have an air purifier installation to make your living air quality better.
Country
Pros
Secure, relaxed, and slow pace of life
People in the countryside know their people. It is a close-knit community, so you can rest assured that children can grow safer and healthier even without parental supervision. People are territorial and stick with each other viewing strangers with suspicion, which deters crimes. Since it is not crowded and houses tend to be distanced from one another, you can have privacy, peace, and quiet that living in the city cannot offer. Time also seems to be slower since there are fewer things that you can get your hands on, compared to the city where there’s always the hustle and bustle.
Close to nature
If you can find happiness in making tea out of freshly picked leaves or flowers, seeing the vast sky, hearing the birds chirp, climbing up mountains, or going to the river or sea, then the countryside is definitely for you. This is one of the main reasons why city dwellers move to the country. Reconnecting with nature can never be replaced by any activity the city has to offer.
Cons
Fewer job opportunities
Nature and peacefulness may be why city people relocate to rural areas, but lesser job opportunities prompt country people to transfer to big cities. The jobs available in the countryside usually involve agriculture and the production of traditional goods. However, some individuals do not want to work in farms or local shops but in high-rise buildings or fancier stores—which are not present in the countryside.
Inconvenient
You might need to have a car or a bicycle since trains and buses are hard to come by. You will really appreciate the 5 to 15 minutes waiting time at the train and bus stations in the city once you experience waiting for more than an hour or two in the countryside. There are fewer stores and restaurants, so if you have a thirst for new food, country living might not be for you.
There are certainly more advantages and disadvantages of both areas, but city life is not for everyone just as country life is not. It still boils down to your personality and preferred lifestyle.
