For some people, moving out of the city and relocating to the countryside may be one of the best decisions they’ve made up to that point. For anyone who’s eager to run away from the big city noise, pollution, lack of space, waves of people, and heavy traffic, living in the country may seem like a dream that’s about to come true.
However, the brave decision to leave the big city experience for a more rural life must come after careful analysis of the pros and cons of each scenario because living in the country has its share of disadvantages as well.
Is a country life what you really want and need? Will you be happier, healthier, safer, and calmer after moving to a rural area? Or will you miss the big city life so much that you’ll start seriously thinking about moving back to where you truly belong?
Take a note of the advantages and disadvantages of moving to the country in order to have the necessary information to decide whether or not a country life is the right thing for you.
YES: Advantages of moving to the country
In general, life in the country offers some indisputable advantages compared to big city life. Here are the major benefits of moving to the country:
Cleaner air
As a rule of thumb, rural areas have cleaner air thanks to the fewer vehicles on the roads and the lower level of industrialization – that is, a smaller chance of finding industrial zones that worsen the air quality. As a bonus, the air in the countryside is cleaner and fresher because of the characteristic green areas there – forests, parks, meadows, and so on.
Moving to the countryside is especially relevant if you happen to suffer from some kind of respiratory illness.
Closer to nature
Most of the time, moving to the countryside will mean a step back to nature. In reality, the drastic change from the urban area you’ve lived until recently to the rural area will give you the unique chance to enjoy a number of outdoor activities. And of course, being active in nature will lead to better health, both physical and mental.
It’s no secret that being around nature will have a soothing effect on your nerves and should provide a much-needed boost to your immune system.
More living space
Chances are you’ve lived in a city apartment until that moment in time. Now, all of a sudden, you’ll get all the space you’ve ever wanted – a spacious house with a big garden and a vast backyard too. When moving to the countryside, it won’t be long before you can shake off that crammed little living space and get the breathing space you’ve yearned for years.
In addition to the more spacious living space, taking a step outside your new house will provide you with all the space you want and need.
Good advice: What to know when moving to a bigger house
More affordable lifestyle
Generally speaking, the cost of living in the country is lower than that in big cities and larger towns. Property prices in rural areas are much more affordable, sometimes up to half the costs in large urban areas for both renters and buyers.
Depending on the exact location, home utilities and property taxes should be lower too, as well as the living expenses in general – groceries, gas, and a variety of goods and services.
In other words, moving to the county should have a beneficial effect on your family budget.
Increased level of safety
Moving from a city to the country should give you a higher level of safety thanks to the fact that most rural communities are much more closely-knit and friendly than big city communities. As a result, most people in more rural small towns and villages know each other, which enhances the overall safety of its inhabitants. Statistical data confirm the theory – the crime rate in the country is lower than that of big cities and large urbanized zones.
Relocating to the country can be a great solution when you’re worried about the safety of your children in a big city with a notoriously high crime rate.
Less stress
In the majority of cases, the pace of country life will feel slower than the hectic big city schedule. Should you move to the country? If you’re starting to feel stressed out, exhausted and even disorientated in the city you call your home, then a move to a more rural area should give you the peace and tranquility you need to hear your own thoughts – the very thoughts that were muffled by the big city noises.
As a rule, life in the country will be less stressful, and you should feel more relaxed and more at ease soon after the move is complete. And healthier too.
Good to know: What makes moving so stressful?
NO: Disadvantages of moving to the country
Now that you know the good things about living in the country, let’s say a few words about the disadvantages of living in the country. After all, the last thing you’d want is to regret your decision to move to the country.
Limited employment opportunities
One of the biggest advantages of living in a big city is the abundance of jobs. Therefore, the moment you move to a more rural area and those job opportunities get fewer and fewer.
If you’re a retiree or already have a decent job secured in the new location, then you won’t have to worry about looking for and finding employment in a limited labor market. However, moving to the country with no job secured can be rather risky, and you may be forced to endure long commute hours to a bigger nearby town or city, or settle for a lower-than-desired pay.
See also: What to consider when moving for a job
Limited education opportunities
If you’re moving to the country with school-aged children, then you must think things through once more before you decide to do it. Be aware that the majority of small towns and villages have only a limited number of schools and the educational standards could be lower than those of big-city schools too.
Do your homework and research thoroughly all education opportunities in the new destination so that you can give your children an early advantage in life.
Read more: How to find the best school for your child when moving
Limited services and amenities
Yes, big cities may be noisy, dirty, and overcrowded but they do happen to have many 24/7 services and all comforts for their citizens. Once you move to the country, you’ll be forced to lose many of those amenities that make life easier, more comfortable, and yes – even safer.
- Healthcare. Depending on where exactly you will be moving to, you may lose the access to 24/7 medical services and that could be a bad thing, especially if a family member needs frequent medical care. And what about good pharmacies that will be open whenever you need them?
- Food. There may be just a few grocery stores in the rural area you’re moving to and no good variety of restaurants and diners either. It may be impossible to order food to your doorstep too.
- Utilities. Depending on where you choose to move to the countryside, you could even expect power cuts during storms, especially in the winter. Problems with the water supply are never out of the question either. So, research your new area well before you start packing up your things for the move.
- Professional services. It’s relatively easy to call a plumber or an electrician in the big city when you need those professional services. Once you move to the country, finding qualified service people could be problematic. Oftentimes, you may be forced to play the role of the handyman as well.
- Public transport. Check whether your new town or village will have any type of public transportation as well. If not, you’ll have to depend entirely on your car, which may be a problem during the wintertime or in case the country roads are not well-maintained throughout the year.
The country life may or may not be suited for your lifestyle. Moving to the country will also affect your social life but that may be exactly what you need – more quiet time with your thoughts without any distracting and disturbing big city noises around you.
Still, the best way to know for sure that moving from a big city to a small town or village is exactly what you want and need is to spend some time in that destination place, if possible. That way, you’ll get a small taste of what to expect before you move there for real.
Must-read: 10 Steps to select a good moving company
