Country Life vs. City Life: Which Do You Prefer?

[wolram]

Which do you prefer?

To me cities and towns are places to avoid, and only visit out of necessity,
I don't like the crowds, traffic, aroma, hustle and bustle.
Some cities, towns are 24/7 so i guess there is all ways some thing to do
but it's not for me.

 

[Pengwuino]

Hmm I am not sure what the aroma is in our city :P. We have quite a lot of bustle but not much hustble... Plus the country roads around here are dangerous and everyoen in teh country lives a billion miles away.

 

[matthyaouw]

I prefer to take the middle ground- live on the outskirts of a medium sized city, so there's plenty to do and lots of people to see, but the countryside is just a stone's throw away.
I do love the country, but i don't think i could be happy so far away from everything/everyone. I'd get bored/lonely a lot.

 

[Monique]

A small old style apartment in the middle of a large city, definitely

 

[wolram]

A small old style apartment in the middle of a large city, definitely

What is meant by, "old style", how do they differ from new?

 

[Astronuc]

I much prefer the relative quiet of the country-side, having lived in several major cities (and visited several of the world's major cities) and several very small country towns.

Unfortunately, at the moment, my family and I live in what is essentially as suburban area. And we get the benefit of ozone and other air pollution from the major metropolitan area, which is spread out some 50-100 miles to the south of us.

 

[wolram]

Unfortunately, at the moment, my family and I live in what is essentially as suburban area. And we get the benefit of ozone and other air pollution from the major metropolitan area, which is spread out some 50-100 miles to the south of us.

I guess city dwellers get used to the aroma of pollutants, but to me different
cities have different aromas, some are ok but others not.

 

[Astronuc]

I guess city dwellers get used to the aroma of pollutants, but to me different cities have different aromas, some are ok but others not.

Quite true - each city has a unique smell.

I lived outside (150 km) of one major city, where my family (parents and siblings) and a few close friends lived. When I would visit the city after being away for several months, I would invariable smell the 'stench' up to 100 km away, and the smell grew stronger as I approached. Then I would notice the 'brown' or 'yellow' air.

Now when I fly along the eastern and southeast coast of the US, when the plane flies through the low altitiudes (700 - 1500 m), I can see the 'brown' haze that stretches across the sky.

I then wonder why we poison ourselves and the world which is our home. I wonder how many illnesses and premature deaths are caused by that pollution. For many, I suppose it's out of sight, out of mind.

 

[wolram]

Quite true - each city has a unique smell.

I lived outside (150 km) of one major city, where my family (parents and siblings) and a few close friends lived. When I would visit the city after being away for several months, I would invariable smell the 'stench' up to 100 km away, and the smell grew stronger as I approached. Then I would notice the 'brown' or 'yellow' air.

Now when I fly along the eastern and southeast coast of the US, when the plane flies through the low altitiudes (700 - 1500 m), I can see the 'brown' haze that stretches across the sky.

I then wonder why we poison ourselves and the world which is our home. I wonder how many illnesses and premature deaths are caused by that pollution. For many, I suppose it's out of sight, out of mind.

All this sounds so bad but i wonder if humanity will evolve to tolerate
this gunge? That sounds worse human rats.

 

[matthyaouw]

Quite true - each city has a unique smell.

In some cases, each street does. There are a few places in my city that I can identify by smell alone.

 

[wolram]

In some cases, each street does. There are a few places in my city that I can identify by smell alone.

The country side is getting worse, i guess no where is far from a motorway
in the uk, and traffic on b roads can be horrendous at peak times.

 

[honestrosewater]

I live here (between Tampa and St. Petersburg). I would guess it's a medium-sized city. I think it's quite nice. I like having plenty of stores, restaurants, entertainment venues, recreation facilities, libraries, museums, emergency services, and such nearby. There are also lots of tourist attractions around. I don't feel like it's overcrowded, but I would much rather live in a car-free city.

 

[ZapperZ]

In my neighborhood, we have 4 Thai restaurants, 3 Japanese, 2 Ethiopian, 1 morrocan, 3 mexican, 3 noodle shops, 4 italians, 1 cajun, 1 vietnamese, countless bars and dance clubs, etc., all within walking distance. One just doesn't get that kind of ethnic and cultural diversity away from the city. It's busy, yes. Noisy? Sometime. Parking? Horrible at times. But I wouldn't trade living with such diverse group of people from practically all over the world for peace and quiet. The idea of "different but equal" is never more clearly illustrated here.

Zz.

 

[honestrosewater]

Quite true - each city has a unique smell.

I lived on Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge for a summer, and you could definitely smell the garbage in some places. I just held my breath and walked a little faster until I was past it. It was still great to be able to walk around safely at night, because there were plenty of other people walking around. I miss being able to do that here.

 

[wolram]

I live here (between Tampa and St. Petersburg). I would guess it's a medium-sized city. I think it's quite nice. I like having plenty of stores, restaurants, entertainment venues, recreation facilities, libraries, museums, emergency services, and such nearby. There are also lots of tourist attractions around. I don't feel like it's overcrowded, but I would much rather live in a car-free city.

Your city looks nice, surrounded by water, and i think all cities should be car free, bring back the trams.

 

[wolram]

I lived on Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge for a summer, and you could definitely smell the garbage in some places. I just held my breath and walked a little faster until I was past it. It was still great to be able to walk around safely at night, because there were plenty of other people walking around. I miss being able to do that here.

Why is it not safe to walk around at night, gangs or some such?

 

[Monique]

What is meant by, "old style", how do they differ from new?

Right now I live in a new apartment, which feels like a concrete box. A friend of mine living a few streets down lives in an apartment that is original to the neighbourhood, which still has wooden floors and lots of character. A pro of new buildings is that you don't have mice and noise from neighbours, a con is lack of character.

In my neighborhood, we have 4 Thai restaurants, 3 Japanese, 2 Ethiopian, 1 morrocan, 3 mexican, 3 noodle shops, 4 italians, 1 cajun, 1 vietnamese, countless bars and dance clubs, etc., all within walking distance. One just doesn't get that kind of ethnic and cultural diversity away from the city. It's busy, yes. Noisy? Sometime. Parking? Horrible at times. But I wouldn't trade living with such diverse group of people from practically all over the world for peace and quiet. The idea of "different but equal" is never more clearly illustrated here.

Zz.

Exactly my sentiment, I love the ethnic/cultural diversity in large cities. Everything is walking/cycling distance, or you just hop onto the subway/tram. I like going to the park and sit there reading a book, watching city live go by.

 

[wolram]

Doe's anyone live or work in a sky scraper, do they scare you, "i see they sway
in the wind", is that noticeable? how long would it take to get out of one like
the empire state from the top?

 

[honestrosewater]

Why is it not safe to walk around at night, gangs or some such?

There are some gangs (the only ones I've had contact with are the Bloods, B Boys, Eastside, Latin Kings, Crips, and Folk Nation), but they are usually only physically violent with each other. They don't have a big presence, and AFAIK there aren't a lot of hardcore members in my area. I've really only had contact with them because I was friends with a lot of them when I was younger and stupider. I think I could probably spot a group of them anyway, since they usually display their colors and such (wearing hats to the gang's side (right or left), rolling up pant leg of their side, tattoos, etc.). They also usually congregate in certain areas, which I would avoid. Anyway, I'm more afraid of lone rapists and murderers who might see a young woman walking alone down the street at night as easy prey. Not that there is a lot of crime here- it just isn't safe enough.

 

[Moonbear]

I like living near cities, but not in them. I want to be able to go into the city on weekends to have things to do, or even to work in a city...there's an energy there that I can just feed off of, but then have my house out where it's quiet and dark at night.

 

[wolram]

There are some gangs (the only ones I've had contact with are the Bloods, B Boys, Eastside, Latin Kings, Crips, and Folk Nation), but they are usually only physically violent with each other. They don't have a big presence, and AFAIK there aren't a lot of hardcore members in my area. I've really only had contact with them because I was friends with a lot of them when I was younger and stupider. I think I could probably spot a group of them anyway, since they usually display their colors and such (wearing hats to the gang's side (right or left), rolling up pant leg of their side, tattoos, etc.). They also usually congregate in certain areas, which I would avoid. Anyway, I'm more afraid of lone rapists and murderers who might see a young woman walking alone down the street at night as prey. Not that there is a lot of crime here- it just isn't safe enough.

The uk is bad according to the news papers, crime seems rife, and punishment is a dirty word, even young kids going around terrorizing the public, but if anyone tries to stop them they are in the wrong, and risk prosecution.
Gets off soap box.

 

[Pengwuino]

Wow sounds like a nice place to ... rob a bank.

 

[wolram]

house out where it's quiet and dark at night.

Ulp

 

[wolram]

Wow sounds like a nice place to ... rob a bank.

Yep, and is by some slim chance you get caught you are treated five star
at one of HMP's.

 

[Pengwuino]

Can i sue the police too for no reason?

 

[wolram]

Can i sue the police too for no reason?

Well no, but if a copper looks at you may be you have grounds.

 

[Pengwuino]

hmm... well if that's the case... i prefer california

 

[Kerrie]

i prefer smaller towns, just as long as i have access to broadband internet!

 

[*Kia*]

I detest neighbours they are a nuisance.

The perfect "home":

A large (6/7) bedroomed Victorian Farmhouse.
Enough room for a pool obviously covered over with a conservatory, also a patio, decking area, pond, and then onto pastures and farm buildings for the horses.
Preferably the house would have a basement too.
The closest neighbours a mile or more away.

Yup, I'm anti-social - in fact I think so long as I had an internet connection I'd quite like to be a hermit...

 

[*Kia*]

Gets off soap box.

*quickly jumps up on wolrams soap ox*

Bring back corporal punishment - simple solution. Why should you be protected if you cause loss or harm to others?
Oh yes of course human rights, now you can't even slap that little brat screaming that it wants sweets.
You have to tell it calmly why mommy says no and if you can't do that you're a baaaaaaaaad parent.
poppycock
A swift slap across the rear never hurt anything more than pride for long, and those slap need not be delivered often if respect is instilled - the threat of the slap is enough, so long as you say what you mean and mean what you say.

*gets pushed off the soap box*

hey - I wasn't done I could go on ALLLLLLLLLLLLL day

 

[wolram]

*quickly jumps up on wolrams soap ox*

Bring back corporal punishment - simple solution. Why should you be protected if you cause loss or harm to others?
Oh yes of course human rights, now you can't even slap that little brat screaming that it wants sweets.
You have to tell it calmly why mommy says no and if you can't do that you're a baaaaaaaaad parent.
poppycock
A swift slap across the rear never hurt anything more than pride for long, and those slap need not be delivered often if respect is instilled - the threat of the slap is enough, so long as you say what you mean and mean what you say.

*gets pushed off the soap box*


hey - I wasn't done I could go on ALLLLLLLLLLLLL day

I hope Danger is reading this

 

[Pengwuino]

*quickly jumps up on wolrams soap ox*

Bring back corporal punishment - simple solution. Why should you be protected if you cause loss or harm to others?
Oh yes of course human rights, now you can't even slap that little brat screaming that it wants sweets.
You have to tell it calmly why mommy says no and if you can't do that you're a baaaaaaaaad parent.
poppycock
A swift slap across the rear never hurt anything more than pride for long, and those slap need not be delivered often if respect is instilled - the threat of the slap is enough, so long as you say what you mean and mean what you say.

*gets pushed off the soap box*

hey - I wasn't done I could go on ALLLLLLLLLLLLL day

You brits don't seem to like your kids much :P

 

[jma2001]

In my neighborhood, we have 4 Thai restaurants, 3 Japanese, 2 Ethiopian, 1 morrocan, 3 mexican, 3 noodle shops, 4 italians, 1 cajun, 1 vietnamese, countless bars and dance clubs, etc., all within walking distance. One just doesn't get that kind of ethnic and cultural diversity away from the city.

Yes, the one thing that would drive me crazy about living in the country is the boring food. I once spent a long weekend in a small town in rural Pennsylvania. It was a beautiful area, but the only place to eat was this one small diner, and you couldn't get anything except cheeseburgers, fried chicken, and fish sticks.

Actually, central New Jersey offers a nice balance in this regard. For a suburban region, we have a remarkable degree of ethnic diversity. All of the different kinds of food you mentioned are available, not within walking distance perhaps, but certainly within easy driving distance (10-15 minutes). A lot of New Yorkers like to make jokes about New Jersey, but in reality we get many of the benefits of living in the city, without the hassles and high costs.

 

[matthyaouw]

You brits don't seem to like your kids much :P

We're not too keen on yours either

 

[Jelfish]

I've come to the conclusion that I'd like to live anywhere but a suburb. I'd like the serenity of the country. However, I'd also like the convenience and activeness of the city. Suburbs, however, (at least the one I lived in) aren't quiet and spacious enough ot be serene, and aren't close enough to lots of different stores/restaurants or busily exciting enough to be convenient and active. It's like the worst of both. Granted, I think people's opinions differ a lot when they use different types of transportation. I only recently started driving regularly, so going into the city before meant about 1 hour total of public transportation. I also lived on a pretty busy street that was very noisy. Yep - worst of both

 

[Pengwuino]

I like exactly where i live right now for some reason. To me its perfect. Lot of land for a home in a 500,000 city... nice and pretty quiet... lots of places to buy stuff nearby.. :D

 

[wolram]

Yes, the one thing that would drive me crazy about living in the country is the boring food. I once spent a long weekend in a small town in rural Pennsylvania. It was a beautiful area, but the only place to eat was this one small diner, and you couldn't get anything except cheeseburgers, fried chicken, and fish sticks..

Boring food, we have lots of delicacies in the country, hedge hog baked in clay,
yummy, pheasant, partridge, rabbit, black bird pie, eel stew, wild mushrooms,
a host of berries etc, etc.

 

[Pengwuino]

Boring food, we have lots of delicacies in the country, hedge hog baked in clay,
yummy, pheasant, partridge, rabbit, black bird pie, eel stew, wild mushrooms,
a host of berries etc, etc.

uhh... give me good ol human food anyday

 

[pattylou]

I then wonder why we poison ourselves and the world which is our home. I wonder how many illnesses and premature deaths are caused by that pollution. For many, I suppose it's out of sight, out of mind.

I heard something inspirational the other day. You know, we live with the idea that we should reduce pollution, and we sort of assume that it will never really be "enough"...

Someone pointed out that you can actually set up your own living space such that the air (water, etc) leaving it - is more pure than the air coming into it. What a great idea! So I am putting in even more houseplants, and more trees in our garden, more drought tolerants in the landscape, and feeling invigorated for being proactive in my little space.

The smog is still distressing, but being a contributor to the solution goes a long way towards alleviating that.

I have also noticed tons more wildlife in the yard (garden) this year. More species of butterflies than ever before, more insects in general. I attirbute this to several straight years of organic practice and record rainfall in the spring.

New species in the yard this year: I saw a shield bug yesterday,

http://www.gwydir.demon.co.uk/insects/piez_litu.jpg

and annual cicadas for the first time ever this year

http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/ohc/nature/animals/insects/images/annualcicada.jpg

and a western tiger swallowtail is visiting our yard (garden) daily!

I put out a larval food plant yesterday to encourage egg laying.

http://www.savepacifica.net/images/lorax.jpg

 

[pattylou]

OH, and I'd enjoy the country or the city, not the suburbs.

California is good because you really can driev "away from it all" to the mountains, to th beach, to go skiing or stargazing, or to top cultural events, to the international airport to the rest of the world...

I think liberal is what I want and I am surrounded by conservative christians. That's the hardest.

 

[wolram]

I heard something inspirational the other day. You know, we live with the idea that we should reduce pollution, and we sort of assume that it will never really be "enough"...

Someone pointed out that you can actually set up your own living space such that the air (water, etc) leaving it - is more pure than the air coming into it. What a great idea! So I am putting in even more houseplants, and more trees in our garden, more drought tolerants in the landscape, and feeling invigorated for being proactive in my little space.

The smog is still distressing, but being a contributor to the solution goes a long way towards alleviating that.

I have also noticed tons more wildlife in the yard (garden) this year. More species of butterflies than ever before, more insects in general. I attirbute this to several straight years of organic practice and record rainfall in the spring.

Nice ideas Pattylou, i think i read some where that people are building
roof top gardens in Hong Kong, to help the cities problems.

 

[brewnog]

I haven't decided between the countryside or the city left. I've lived in a city centre, in leafy suburbs, and in the proper countryside and all have their appeals. For general practical living (being able to park, shop, and sit on grass) the leafy suburbs win my vote, and you have the bonus of being able to walk home from the city centre after nights out. You can't beat living in the city centre for fun, cultural diversity, and lots of new faces, but the countryside is nice, quiet, and seems to have less crime (but more scallies).

i think all cities should be car free, bring back the trams.

Nooooooooo!

No more trams! Please!

 

[BobG]

I'd prefer an older neighborhood just outside of town. While I'm not that fond of living in the middle of the city, it's nice to be close to some conveniences (that's the attitude that causes urban sprawl, isn't it?)

I'd like the neighborhood to be old enough that there's established trees in your yard. I dislike dealing with city traffic everyday.

Right now, I have to compromise. There aren't very many trees out on the prairie and there's no good commute across the city to where I work, so it would be hard to live in the foothills or mountains (which would mean a significant commute up and down Ute pass before you even reach the city). I live towards the edge of the city, but in a neighborhood old enough that I have over 10 well-established trees in my yard. About three blocks further up the ridge, I'd probably get deer in my yard - about 6 or 8 blocks further and deer would be a common occurrence. Still get quite a few foxes around the neighborhood, which is about the only animal that gets our old dog's interest up.

I work just outside the city, out on the edge of an old lake bed on the prairie. It makes for a fairly easy commute just outside the city. Watching the wildlife around the building I work in is pretty nice, too. Lots of antelope, lots of rabbits (food for the snakes and hawks). There's a prairie dog that just stands by the side of the road watching folks drive by in the evenings - it doesn't ever seem to get bored.

The birds around the area are pretty interesting in the spring and early summer. There's a couple of killdeer that build their nest somewhere around our building. Killdeer plovers are those birds that fake injury to lure away from their nest. One of them kind of puts out a lackluster effort, but the other deserves an academy award. There's an ongoing debate about which is the male and which is the female. It's especially entertaining (but extremely rare) if you catch the good one walking with its babies. It goes into its routine and the babies kind of defeat the purpose by trying to imitate the parent.

My boss has lots of bird feeders outside his office window, so quite a few birds tend to nest around the building, so you get the yearly drama of baby birds first learning to fly.

And of course, you have the bull snakes (lots of them, which is good) and the occasional rattlesnake.

 

[Lisa!]

Which do you prefer?

To me cities and towns are places to avoid, and only visit out of necessity,
I don't like the crowds, traffic, aroma, hustle and bustle.
Some cities, towns are 24/7 so i guess there is all ways some thing to do
but it's not for me.

How bad!I'd want to invite you and your daughter to my home once!

 

[BobG]

I guess city dwellers get used to the aroma of pollutants, but to me different
cities have different aromas, some are ok but others not.

The smell of burning rubber still brings back memories for me. Not that pleasant of a smell, but one I tend to identify with my old hometown.

Of course, when I go back to visit now, the town smells pretty clean. The tire companies all moved their factories somewhere else. The population has dropped by over a 100,000 and there's still not much future there, but it smells better, anyway.

 

[wolram]

The smell of burning rubber still brings back memories for me. Not that pleasant of a smell, but one I tend to identify with my old hometown.

Of course, when I go back to visit now, the town smells pretty clean. The tire companies all moved their factories somewhere else. The population has dropped by over a 100,000 and there's still not much future there, but it smells better, anyway.

!00,000, that a lot of empty houses, where did they all go?

 

[BobG]

They voted with their feet. They moved to cities that had jobs.

Back in the late 70's and the 80's, they lost a pretty big chunk of people every year as the old factories were replaced with more modern ones in states with lower tax rates, but, for the most part, it's just a place where most of the young people leave, causing a slow, but consistent decline in population.

 

[hypatia]

I am the first generation in my family to be raised in the city. And it keeps me on edge, always. I live behind locked doors and sealed windows. Its not the gangs I worry about here, because they protect there own neighborhoods. Its the drug users, meth and crack will make you do just about anything.

Its only when I go back to Granny's farm, or up to the cabin, that I can sleep the whole night, and really relax.

 

[wolram]

I am the first generation in my family to be raised in the city. And it keeps me on edge, always. I live behind locked doors and sealed windows. Its not the gangs I worry about here, because they protect there own neighborhoods. Its the drug users, meth and crack will make you do just about anything.

Its only when I go back to Granny's farm, or up to the cabin, that I can sleep the whole night, and really relax.

Oh poor you, such badness in our lands should'nt be tolerated, be cleaver and
move to granny's for ever.

 

[wolram]

They voted with their feet. They moved to cities that had jobs.

Back in the late 70's and the 80's, they lost a pretty big chunk of people every year as the old factories were replaced with more modern ones in states with lower tax rates, but, for the most part, it's just a place where most of the young people leave, causing a slow, but consistent decline in population.

What can i say, tax v jobs