In the last 50 years or so, urbanization has always been the talk of the day; people moving out of rural areas and heading into the big cities. However, the recent couple of years have seen a slow reversal of that trend - more and more people are realizing the benefits of living the country life.
For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that living in densely populated areas isn’t always the best option. And don’t think that a more rural lifestyle is something that shows its benefits only during times of crisis. Because of that, we’re going to delve into the best parts of living out in the country!
Healthier Air
The farther away you get from cities, the better will your air quality be. Many researchers have concluded this, and there are myriad reasons why this is the case. For one, there’s far less pollution in rural areas — there are no industrial zones or millions of cars. There are far more grass and trees that provide much-needed oxygen. That’s why more and more people are willing to give up NYC life by moving somewhere quiet and peaceful; it’s simply healthier for you.
And we’re not just talking about the smaller level of greenery in urban areas. When you’ve got factories, cars, buses, and other modes of transportation — you’ve also got microparticles that are constantly being released into your surrounding atmosphere. These are incredibly harmful when we breathe them in, raising the chances of contracting serious illnesses over the long term.
That’s one of the main benefits of living the country life — you can easily live in a much healthier way without changing any of your other habits. You will find that people in rural areas suffer from heart disease or asthma far more rarely.
Peace of Mind
When you move out into the country or just go on vacation there, you will find that your brain works in a completely different way. Spending a lot of time in urban environments means constantly being bombarded by stimuli; more than we’re biologically equipped to handle. That’s why our brains don’t handle anxiety and heightened emotions as well as they would in more peaceful surroundings. And that’s also the main reason why people go to rural areas for rest and relaxation.
So, what does this mean over the long term? Cities see a lot more mental health issues in its denizens than rural areas. When you’re living the country life, you won’t be exposed to those levels of stimuli on a daily basis. As a consequence, you and your family members won’t have higher risks of mood and anxiety disorders.
Fewer Costs
Let’s get one thing straight — cities are not cheap. No matter how much money you have, that’s an undeniable fact. And sure, you don’t want to lead your life solely according to material factors, but we all need enough funds to sustain ourselves, at the end of the day.
And sure, moving out to the suburbs can be cheaper than a downtown apartment in the long term, but if you decide to go one step further, you’ll find that you’ve become richer the farther away you move from urban areas. It doesn’t matter what aspect of our lives we look at — from housing expenses and transportation to healthcare and groceries — cities are simply more expensive.
Naturally, cities and rural areas don’t offer the same amenities, but the tranquility you feel when you don’t have the constant pressure of mounting expenses is something almost indescribable.
More Nature
We’ve already talked about how one of the benefits of living the country life is simply having access to more greenery. But it’s not just trees — it’s an entirely different ecosystem. Just take some time off to go to the countryside, and you’ll realize that being immersed in a completely natural environment is a game-changer.
Studies indicate that this is good for everything from blood pressure regulation to short-term memory. Creative people like artists have famously secluded themselves from the urban hustle and bustle when they wanted to come up with something truly inspiring.
Better Food
Our final pick among the plentiful benefits of living the country life is another health-related item for the “pro” column. When you’re in the countryside, chances are that you’ll be eating much healthier food than you would in downtown. Yes, you probably won’t have a Whole Foods nearby, but the best thing is, you won’t really need it.
In most rural areas of our beautiful country, there are farms that produce all kinds of veggies, fruits, eggs, and pretty much anything that you might need when you’re out of the city. And all of that is organic, so you don’t have to worry about your health. Plus, possible bartering gives you the added bonus of getting to know the locals and immersing yourself in their way of life. Having that sort of bond with people who are living the same laid-back lifestyle that you’re getting into is a huge improvement for your social life.
Just remember how finding sustenance looks in the city — you have to go to a lot of trouble and pay quite a dime just to eat something that’s not processed and unhealthy. Living a rural life takes care of all of that!
Michael Albert is a freelance blogger, mostly writing about his experience with moving to the countryside. When not writing for blog pages of moving companies like capitalcitymovers.us, Michael enjoys tending to his rural garden and hiking in the surrounding areas.
Gravatar email: michaelalbertblog@gmail.com
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