city or countryside... which is best and why

[Integritas0]

So which is best? The city is greats for nights out and for endless shops... but what of the countryside? Some people fall in love with some really rural area... maybe they live off a lake and the nearest house is miles away.

Okay, so a lot of people live in towns or suburbs.. and that is a kind of compromise, but to me it is still city life, right? How many of us even know what country living is?

Is it natural to squash so many people into one place? Like a bee hive or an ant colony. It seems like this is how they divide the world up. There are these big cities with millions all running around sipping their lattes and having nervous breakdowns every five minutes (!)... and then there is the countryside which stretches on for mile and miles... and barely a soul in sight.

So which is better... not just in terms of entertainment and work oppurtunities... but in terms of mental health, and peace?
:thinking:

 

[XMan101]

In the past the countryside was an industry! In some ways it still is, in part the tourist industry. Country life was very hard work and could still be. People have rosy glows of the past but it wasn't any more pleasant than the towns.

People naturally congregate together, towns and cities all formed naturally , nobody was forcibly squashed in, it's self protection, it's trade and it's entertainment. Most townies would hate the real countryside, and probably vice versa. People go where the money is.

Stress is just the modern disease of pressure, it's replaced something else that was equally damaging in the past. Life anywhere has never been a rose coloured idyll for the ordinary person.

If you have the money a rural setting is more tranquil and preferable but, like the big city, better to visit and not live there. I'm happy in my edge of town area with some countryside within walking distance if I need some extra space.

Speaking of the emptiness, the Highlands of Scotland used to be very much populated until the land barons removed everybody in the Clearances, oddly nobody ever went back in any numbers in later years.

 

[Tjerk12]

It is now more then 25 years ago that I exchanged city life for country life. The change was immense. Of course the obvious quietness, but far more important was the social change. The grandmother of our Queen had a beautiful statement: “lonesome, but not alone”. That is the best way to describe living in the country. In the city there are always people around. You are never physical alone. But, psychical? Do people really help each other? In fact there is no need for it. City life is organized life. For everything is a phone number or an office. In the countryside there is a history of companionship. People had to help each other to survive. That attitude still exists. You are never alone. Neighbours help whenever you need. They help you and you help them. Together we guard our social safety. I never lock the doors of my house. Today it is very hot, so I even let the front door wide open for my dog. From 08.30 till 17.00 my dog is the landlord, because there is nobody else home. I have absolutely no fear that something will be stolen.
And when I feel lonely, I switch on Gay Heaven!

 

[mrduke]

I am from a small town in East Texas in the middle of the Big Thicket. So small in fact everyone knows who you are (bit of a draw back if one is gay). I live in Houston 4th largest city in the US. Large cities make their own weather, lots of concrete radiate heat, so when it is hot it is SUPER hot. I also live very near the coast, which makes its own contribution to the weather.

You can put the boy in the City from the Country, but you cannot take the country from the boy.

When I get about 150 miles from Houston and drive into the Big Thicket, even on the hottest day, I will turn off the a/c and put all the windows down and breathe in the clear and crisp air full of everygreens, piney woods and country grass.

I would move back, but there is no work. Cities have night life, congestion, grid lock with traffice and jobs.

Country living have open spaces, lakes, rivers and a life I long for.

 

[sugarships]

i live in houston also, but am from a small town in canada. I would go back any day, to my big cities are just too big for me, I love the small town life its more enjoyable and you dont need to spend money to enjoy things

 

[JeroenS]

I live in the capital of the Netherlands (Amsterdam) it is our biggest city but compared to other capitals we are a "small" city with just over 730.000 inhabitants (capitals like Bangkok and Mexico City have more inhabitants then our whole country hahaha), my district is "city center" but I am happy I live on one of the islands that belong to the city center, so it is very nice and quiet here, very green and loads of water (canals), all and all some 1.100 houses on "my island" so it is like a village inside a city I am happy here

 

[LuiM]

I live on the edge of a relatively small city of nearly 120.000 people. I was born in this city and I'm very comfortable with living in it. I grew up playing in the streets, our playground was concrete, I lived in a high building, we the kids had our little gang and it was just great. I can't imagine living anywhere else.

Although I do like nature, especially the woods and the mountains - for the trips, picnics, recreational climbing, I also like the smell of traffic gasses, city dust, heat, crowds, especially when lost in the crowds I feel - how would I describe it, well let's say - really human lol.

Although I am talkative an communicative person I also like to get lost in anonymity and the city is big enough to provide the feeling of it - when I need it.

If I would have to choose between city or country life - it would definitely be a city life.

 

[smallsleepyrascalcat]

I live at the countryside, but I'l love to live in the city.
Mainly the city I work in, but I don't want to move to France at the moment
The reason why I'd like to move is because of the poor public traffic in my area.

 

[LuiM]

120,000... is a town, not a city!

Or well ,maybe a small city.

So you're a size queen huh? :rofl:

Well according to Wikipedia "there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town. Historically, in Europe, a city was understood to be an urban settlement with a cathedral. Besides that cities generally have advanced systems for sanitation, utilities, land usage, housing, and transportation." In that sense I live in a city . But if we distinguish cities from towns just according to a number, then I live in a town.

But my point was I don't live on a country.

So what are our fantasies. Which harbour would your dream boat take you too, or where might your plane land?

Considering the fact I've always liked urban life (besides nature) my dream still is to visit Big Apple once in my life.

 

[slimjim]

Not a straightforward choice for me, I've lived in large cities and in rural idylls and both have their plus and minus points.. currently I live on the edge of a town and maybe this is the ideal compromise... shops, pubs, and restaurants etc 30 mins walk in one direction, fields and woods 10 mins in the other direction

 

[Tjerk12]

People are different. I like ballet, most people hate it. So what? I am just grateful for the fact that so many people are happy to live in cities. It would become very crowded out here, when everybody would go to live in the countryside.

 

[jw4833]

Definitely countryside. I have a close friend who inherited a farm and I visit him a lot and he has a lot of land on his farm and I feel so free and his neighbors are like a mile away from each other. When I visit him, I am naked all during the visit..especially in the summer...

 

[BugsyB]

what?

i dont mean this in a bad way..but what?

 

[leo1848]

jw4833 I second the countryside. It's very peaceful no matter the time of the year. Most of all I love is the freedom. Whether it's off-roading, atv, biking, hiking, streaking or just wondering. You can never grow bored.

 

[lhardwick69]

grew up in city of huntington wv here most sex took place in closed doors and covered windows except for couple were in the woods hehehe --now live in country nearest house is 10 minute walk but trees between us--me and friend were outside talking and he was like you know what i always wanted to do i said what he was like fuck someone outside--so i let him fuck me it was so hot that there we were fucking and didnt have to worry about anyone watching us