Life Reflections
Living Inside Or Outside The City
A Small View From Both Worlds
Many years ago, when I was a little kid, you had two options. You could either stay in the village you were born, or move into the city. In my case, the nearest, largest town.
As the years passed, an internal migration pattern was evident. People were moving from rural areas to urban environments. I think there is one main reason for this, and that is work. A bigger city offers you more opportunities to choose from.
I have followed the same trend. When I was little, my parents decided we should move from the village to the nearest town. The reasons were obvious, jobs for the parents and better schools for me.
When I got older, I moved from a small town and to a big city. The reasoning was the same, and after a few years, it was difficult to see myself go back into a small town.
A large number of people even migrated to other countries, to even bigger cities. In my country, over the last 20 plus years or so, the balance has changed. From a predominantly rural population to an urban one, in a relatively short amount of time.
This shift has various effects and consequences, but my focus today is on the actual living accommodations.
As cities have become more crowded and busy, people looking for an apartment or house to live in have to choose. Live in the city or the suburbs? Let’s see what that means and what are a few ups and downs.
City Living
I lived for a good amount of time where all the action happens, and I can tell you that it is pretty great. Everything is nearby, and there’s a specific vibe and feel to the city. You feel like you are part of something bigger.
Minimum planning is required. You have a movie to see, or you have a doctor’s appointment. No problem. Go downstairs, walk for two minutes to the tram or bus station, wait for five minutes, and you’ll be there in no time at all.
City living makes it easier to go out and get involved in all sorts of activities and projects as everything is usually closer to you.
Most of the things either relate to time or cost. You can save a lot of time and money by living in the city. You can save on the commute to/from work, daily/weekly shopping, or to drop and pick up the kids from school (if at all).
Of course, you can also lose money if the rent or mortgage you pay is in a more fancy neighborhood. The constant noise and buzz of the city can also be disturbing to a lot of people, especially if they have windows facing a boulevard or a busy intersection.
Some people may also struggle with the lack of space in their apartments or with the number of stairs they need to climb and go down every time they want to go outside.
Others might want more greenery in their area and might find the concrete jungle suffocating. And, there’s the pollution. There’s still a very long way to go until the air is clean in the cities.
Living Outside The City
On the other hand, the air quality is significantly better outside the city. In the metropolitan area, or small villages and neighborhoods, you can feel a real difference.
For some, that might be the only thing they need, but there are other benefits to living outside the city. The area is generally quieter. You can hear the birds and sleep with your window open. You can also see the stars at night, as there are fewer lights to hinder the visibility.
You might not have the scenic views as you do from the 10th floor in the city, but you usually get more of “nature.” You could even get a patch of grass to run around or plant a tree and a couple of berries.
Houses or apartments are somewhat cheaper to either rent/buy. However, that will depend on the actual area, so your experience may vary.
A reason for this is the distance. You might get better prices outside the city, but you will have to plan everything better. Everything will take more time. More time to get to shows and spectacles, do school runs and get shopping done. So, the city positives transform into the negatives and vice-versa.
Living Life
If you would have asked me a few years ago, I didn’t think I would like to move out of the city, but I quickly got used to living in the suburbs. In the end, I think it’s a matter of need and preference.
Each person has different needs and views on life. What you want for yourself and your family might be distinctive from what I want for mine.
There is no perfect choice. A specific decision might apply perfectly for a short amount of time. Life is changing and is full of surprises. Just live and always try to make informed judgments for life-changing events.
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