Are you more of a city person or a country person?

I prefer the country but close to a major city. It is wonderful to be able to enjoy the quiet and beauty of the country but to have a major medical center and good restaurants close by. The only downside is the lights of the city ruin the stargazing which, now that I am older, I am asleep by the time they come out anyway so it is a win win!
 
Circumstance changed our outlook on this topic. That was early retirement. Prior to retirement we lived on 8 acres of property surrounded by apple orchards & neighbors 1 mile away. Driveway 800 feet long.

Retirement took planning.

Understanding that aging takes a toll on the body, living remote from medical services was a primary concern. Then came activities. Not much in the way of that living in the countryside. Housing = keep 5 bedroom bi-level with high taxes & the maintenance it took for an older home. Cold north east weather a big factor in deciding where to live.

So with planning to retire early where to go?
Las Vegas to get close to medical services, entertainment. Downsize to a 3 bedroom rancher with tile roof & stucco exterior <---low maintenance. No taxes except for low property, state sales. Property tax less due to military service reduction. Weather to our liking can get cool from Nov. to mid Feb. but ice & snow not a factor were good with the weather.

Transition from country to city was easy because we knew what we wanted in our last years.
 
This is the same question I posed in one of my books (the male protagonist lived in the country and wanted to know if the female protagonist preferred country or city). In my case, I have lived in both situations.

The city coughs up pollution, traffic, high cost of living, and crime, but it has culture, work opportunities, hospitals, universities, etc. The country is isolated, but beautiful and serene, yet it is sometimes difficult because you usually do not live close to a post office, shopping, library, hospital, school, etc.) so you spend much time on the road going to and from these necessary places.

My solution? The suburb - a place situated between the city and the country. It's a nice compromise, and I can go to either place for a cultural treat or a relaxing retreat.
 
Country ... I couldn't live in a city. I grew up in a neighborhood on a huge lot, but couldn't do that anymore. I remember some of the drama by a few of the neighbors. My mom' side of the family were on farms & I loved visiting them when I was little. I always knew I wanted to be in the country.

All of our neighbors here are quiet & mind their own business. I've seen some nice houses in small towns, but those towns would need to be out in the country where no one would be trying to put in housing developments like I've been seeing in neighboring townships.
 
We retired to 40 acres of dense forest, over 20 years ago. It is so much nicer than putting up with all the noise, pollution, and crime that is becoming the norm in most of the cities. We have nice neighbors...the nearest about 200 yards away, and daily visits from the deer and turkeys. There is a nice small town about 4 miles away with the "basics" and a good clinic about 10 miles for the basic health needs. We may have to move to a town with more facilities if our health declines, but hopefully not.
 
I've never lived in a major city but the many times I've visited I couldn't imagine myself living in the city dealing with all the people, sirens and horns honking. But I know some people who derive their energy from the city and enjoy being within walking distance from everything.

We live in a suburb of Dallas which is in a heavily wooded area near a lake, but we are a 10 minute-drive from downtown for concerts, plays, movies and anything else we need. Our general area has plenty of restaurants, grocery stores and doctors. We've lived here for 17 years and unless something drastic happens we don't plan on moving.

I'd like to know for once in my life what it's like not to have to own a car, but I put at most 10 miles on mine per day doing all the errands so it's all good.
 
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seadoug said:
I've never lived in a major city but the many times I've visited I couldn't imagine myself living in the city dealing with all the people, sirens and horns honking. But I know some people who derive their energy from the city and enjoy being within walking distance from everything.

We live in a suburb of Dallas which is in a heavily wooded area near a lake, but we are a 10 minute-drive from downtown for concerts, plays, movies and anything else we need. Our general area has plenty of restaurants, grocery stores and doctors. It We've lived here for 17 years and unless something drastic happens we don't plan on moving.

I'd like to know for once in my life what it's like not to have to own a car, but I put at most 10 miles on mine per day doing all the errands so it's all good.
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Sounds like a great compromise between both.
 
A "bedroom community" sounds perfect to me. If that's what they're still calling it: closer to the city than the suburbs but still not right in the city so quieter and less expensive. (If I could afford it and Huzz'd agree--which he would never in a million years--I'd take a fancy, high-rise apartment/flat in San Francisco, Seattle or New York City overlooking the ocean or Central Park.)
 
I grew up in a city of three million people and then lived for 10 years in San Jose California, the southern end of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Now and for the last 40 years I've lived in a village of about 75 people in the heart of the American mid west farming country.
We're about 7 miles from a city of 20,000 people....that provides most of the amenities of modern civilization.
I like it here, I have 10 (maybe 12) acres of land and I intend to stay here at least another 10 years and maybe for the rest of my life.
My uncle lived on his farm until he was 98 and there's a neighbor here who's 91 and neither of them were keen on actively maintaining their health. I'm a lucky guy.
 
bobcat said:
What attracts you to that lifestyle (Assuming you could afford to live in either one)?
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A tough one for me. I love the convenience of a City. On the other hand, when I've had my fill, I lust for the peace and quiet of the country. I guess it would depend on where in the city I could live. I would base it, largely, on a) Convenience; b) Stereo volume (the higher the volume, the more better.) I need enough space to be able to do anything I want, but not so far away that it's a days drive to the hospital.
 
I *love* ❤️ cities... especially NYC. But not to live unless I could have a penthouse and see those glorious city views from 20+ floors up. Otherwise for living, I'll choose small town... I've done "country" way out in the middle of nowhere and although it was peaceful, I don't really like the idea of not having neighbors if I'd have an emergency of some kind.
 
I'd gladly live in a city or even a smaller town that had goods, services, and medical care close at hand, but I would I would need to live in a sound proofed structure. Not like the old days if one lived in a nice apt high above the street it was pretty peaceful.
Repondering said:
I grew up in a city of three million people and then lived for 10 years in San Jose California, the southern end of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Now and for the last 40 years I've lived in a village of about 75 people in the heart of the American mid west farming country.
We're about 7 miles from a city of 20,000 people....that provides most of the amenities of modern civilization.
I like it here, I have 10 (maybe 12) acres of land and I intend to stay here at least another 10 years and maybe for the rest of my life.
My uncle lived on his farm until he was 98 and there's a neighbor here who's 91 and neither of them were keen on actively maintaining their health. I'm a lucky guy.
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Respndering, what part of the state are you in? I was an Omaha kid.
 
palides2021 said:
This is the same question I posed in one of my books (the male protagonist lived in the country and wanted to know if the female protagonist preferred country or city). In my case, I have lived in both situations.

My solution? The suburb - a place situated between the city and the country. It's a nice compromise, and I can go to either place for a cultural treat or a relaxing retreat.
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I'm with you, Patty. (y):)

I lived in the city for the first ten years of my life and for a few years when I was in my twenties. I suppose I could live in the city now, but only if I had absolutely no other choice, and I wouldn't like it. I definitely prefer the country, but at this point, the suburbs are the best choice. From there, I have access to both the city and the country.
 
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