Some folks find it hard to survive in the country . . with the quiet and the darkness and distance between houses/neighbors. Some folks, like me, find it difficult to live in the city, with the noise, the lights, the closeness of neighbors. No one place is right for everyone and even if you know exactly where you would like to live, there are often circumstances that prevent you from living in your “utopia”.
Chad and Nicole’s current place is right off the main street, right next to the fire department/police station. The police are coming and going all the time (thankfully!). There’s a lot of noise – loud cars, booming radios, sirens. There are so many street lights around here that I could almost read from the light coming through the windows. It has been a perfect place for them in that it’s close to work, close to grocery stores and close to their friends who live in town. The noise and light doesn’t seem to bother them at all but after having lived out in the country, with no street lights, and no noise during the night, I’m so thankful to be out of the city and living where we live.
Without street lights or security lights (no . . we do not want them!), the stars are so bright. I’m not sure I had ever seen stars so bright before we moved to Texas. I probably had because my grandparents had lived way out in the country with no street lights or night lights. I’m always amazed at the phases of the moon and how much lighter the night is when there’s a full moon and how very black it is when there’s just a sliver of a moon.
I understand there are amenities in most cities that I’ll never have and if ever I have to move to a city, I’ll make the best of it but for now, I hope I can stay in the country forever!
One question that baffles me is . . why does a dog barking at night make me so aggravated but a rooster crowing before daylight doesn’t bother me at all?
Just a few questions that run through my mind . . .
Where do you prefer to live? Country or city? Are you there? Do you hope to get there? What happens if you want city and your spouse wants country, or vice versa?
Roberta says
right where i want to be in the country, we own a good bit of road frontage so no ones coming closer than they are. Dogs barking mean something is going on most of the time. Might be why it’s annoying. Roosters are just saying it’s time to get up, look the sky is getting lighter, don’t you want to see the pretty sunrise!!!!
Hugs!!!!
Lee Ann L. says
We are living in the “country” now finally! The one downside in this area is that we cannot find any internet services except via Hotspot which is very costly!
It took a visit to my brother who lives out in the “country” to convince Dan of the benefits. It changed his mind; so, now we have a house in the “country” and we’re both loving it so far!
Vivian Oaks says
I grew up in the country, and live in a more populed area now, but we’re well back from the road, and it almost feels like country. I lived on Staten Island for awhile while in the Army, and loved that, as well, but I’d never want to raise a family in the city. My DH and I are both very happy being out of the rat-race of city living! Loving it with neighbors close enough to help if need be, but far enough away that they aren’t a constant interference.
Pam in KC says
We tried “country” once — but it really wasn’t as there were 3 or 4 houses as in a city neighborhood together. I think “true country” like you have in Texas would be delightful. Right now we live in the middle of the town on a 4 lane road. Not my favorite place, but when we bought it was the right solution. I tell my husband, as long as I have high speed internet for work and a quilt store within an hour or two I”ll be fine. But he doesn’t want to take me away from my friends….
Krista says
I’m a “small city” girl. Grew up in a city of 60,000. Living now in a 800,000 population, but my ‘burb is about 60,000, and I don’t leave it often. I don’t like being in the country – I like to be able to walk to stores etc. And I hate long commutes. But I don’t want to be in the hustle and bustle of urban downtown, either. Where I am is pretty much perfect for me right now – although I can see that changing once the kids are out of school and I am thinking about retiring (my current location is walking distance to schools and work).
Diann Smith says
love the city..love WM and the LIBRARY and having everything nearby including my neighbors..I love them too. And having the fire department right next door. Well my husband is retired fire and I’ve been aound those guys for years and they are the sweetest/hard working people you’ll ever know. Little hint…MANY work a second job painting, doing plumbing/electrical, auto work. Call the station and ask for a name before you head to the yellow pages. I got crown molding in my house at a bargain. Hated the country when a teen. Just me and the chickens and the cows. Went to the city as soon as I could and have never regretted ut,
Jevne says
We;re in a quiet place away from busy streets and lights, but it’s not like being in the country. Years ago all the farmers had yard lights that they turned on and off with a switch, so after about 11 pm you couldn’t see a light for miles. Now, with the lights that come on automatically it’s never like that but, as you said, living in the country gives you a view of the stars that people in the city never see. I would love to be in the country again.
Tinkerfeet says
I agree with you everyone loves different places and what is one person “country” another ones “country”can be two different things. We have only 80 acres and live 25 miles off of pavement, the cloest little town from us is about 40miles away. There is about 100 people (if that many) and only a post office no store or gas station of any kind. We have no mail service to our house. To me this is country, but I am sure to a lot of people it’s not. For us this is our dream place. We have only lived here for 15 years so we are new comers. And still learning, life is good
Jean says
I grew up in the city and have always lived with the sounds of the international airport and the freeway. We also have a lahe cabin where there is peace and quiet, and the stars are amazing! Sometimes I think about retiring to the cabin, but there are drawbacks. Everything is at least a half hour drive away – the church, the fabric shop and most importantly any medical care. In the city they are just five minutes from home. Utilities at the lake are also at least double what they cost in the city – economy of scale I suppose. We are blessed to be able to enjoy both places.
Linda in NE says
Right now I live on the very edge of a very small town. If I had to choose between city & country it would definitely be country. If I won the gazillion $$ lottery I’d want at least a section of land with my house & outbuildings right in the middle. I grew up on a half-section farm off a dirt road off a gravel county road and I think that feeds my desire for country. (Or maybe my inner hermit.) We had a yard light, but it had to be turned on/off from the house so it was mostly off. My son was telling how out at his acreage, during the dark of the moon, when he shuts off the house lights it’s so dark out that he can’t find his black car. He find’s it a little disconcerting after growing up with at least a few street lights. He says they’ll be putting in a yard light. 🙂
Debbie Rhodes says
I am right where I want to be… on he outskirts of town… little of both,. As my mom said the other day her and dad planned to retire to the country but so glad at 80 and 86 that they are here in town where me and my siblings can help them. Where doctors and hospitals are close. If they had moved to the lake they could have moved back but moving and finding new doctors etc at 80 would be hard. So she and I are glad they stayed here. I love being where I can pick up grands at school and see them frequently
Kristen says
We live on a four lane road in the middle of a 100,000 people. It is an older neighborhood and I love my little house and backyard and being able to get anywhere I want to go in a couple of minutes, but my neighbors are AWFUL. If I could get them to move and have some nice people move in, I’d never want to leave. Now all I do is dream of a new place with nice neighbors or no neighbors!
Deb@asimplelifequilts says
I’m a hermit… so living in a summer resort area on a small lake is just right. Winters are long & quiet – perfect for quilting & reading. I grew up in a town, then worked & lived in a city, each were good during their time but this is best!
Peggy says
I live in the country and for the most part love it. I wish we were on level ground and fewer trees by the house. We don’t have much yard so gardening is a challenge, but we manage a few vegetables. I like not listening to our neighbors like I did when I lived in town. Town is 18 miles away, which is a bit too far.
Carol Harper says
In the “country” right now but there are 75 houses in our little neighborhood. I have lived in small town, suburbia and big city and loved each and every one. For me, it’s the people, not the place, but DH wanted water so we live on this lake in a rural county near his family… I’d rather have gone back to suburban San Francisco.
Rosie Davis says
We live out in the country…waaay out in the country and love it. No neighbors except for 4 calfs and a horse in the barn next door. No lights either. Away off in the distance I can hear a rooster crowing in the early dawn and an owl hooting in the wee hrs of the morning. I love it. I live in my dream home on top of a hill and I can see clear to Oklahoma! We will plant our first garden next Spring. This is our last home. We are both happy with our big country porch and beautiful skys. We’ve lived in big cities, small towns and this is where we want to be.
shirley bruner says
we are in the country and love it there. the only downfall is hospitals are not close and if you need one then you need to be airlifted by helicopter. otherwise, peace and quiet and no lights and noise suits me just fine.
Sandie says
My ideal place would be in the Tennessee/North Carolina border area. Close enough to the shore for a long weekend, Beautiful Mountains, Close enough to friends and family to drive there in a day, but far enough that they need to give notice before coming to visit! Would love to have a piece of property with a little distance from my neighbors and a garden too. But seriously, after having lived for the past 4 years in conditions that no one should have to live in, I am just glad to have a solid roof over my head, running water and heat! Love the house I am living in now, and if I never make it to my “Utopia” I have enough to be content.
Ava Crotinger says
We like where we live – something like country. Just a couple miles outside the city limits of a 3500 population town. We most likely will not ever move again. We’ve got lots of moves in our history so we’re ready to stay put. The kids / grandkids are reasonably close but I’ll keep praying for closer.
vickie van dyken says
Well I enjoyed reading all the comments. I came from the city, the big city….Los Angleles area. My husband is from Lynden, WA. Once I visited, I was hooked. We live in Everson, even smaller than Lynden, When I go visit my children in CA……well I am glad to go home, where you can’t hear your neighbors toilet flush!!!! Roflol ….Seriously 🙂 Our place is large enough for us and our doggies and whatever we need. Sometimes I wish for more sunny days but then I know that we wouldn’t have all the beautious green trees, rivers and Lakes without all the rain, so I just flip on another light…..and thank God that I am where I am supposed to be……Aren’t we all really???
Mary in VA says
My step-daughter and her hubby live near Everson. We went to visit last summer and it was beautiful!
Katie z. says
We’ve lived in the country since July and are amazed at how,any things we notice about the city now!
I miss biking to the store or walking places, but I hope I never have to return to worrying about the kids getting hit by cars or having a yard for them to play in!
Marsha says
I grew up on a farm. Couldn’t wait to move to the city. Love the city. Close to everything. Three quilt stores within fifteen minutes of each other.
Sandy says
I’m in a small house in a small subdivision within the city limits of what I’d call a small town even though it calls itself a city. At this time in my life it’s a good place for me to be. I know many of my neighbors and could depend on their help if I had an emergency. That’s important when you live alone! I also have relatives within 15 miles I can call at any time. Although I’d love to be out in the country somewhere, it’s just not practical at my age!
Judy D in WA says
I grew up on a farm, moved to the city right after marriage, hated it! Couldn’t wait to move back to the country. We have 6 acres, not too seculded-would love to own a “compound” 😉 That’s not going to happen… I go to town-10 miles at least once a week but could easily stay home for weeks at a time with no problem. Roosters-yes, dogs barking for no reason-NO!
Gari says
We live on 5 acres in the country, behine an acre of trees. We have the quiet, chickens and roosters that live next door but spend most days in our woods and yard, and barking dogs (ours-Doxies) who think everything that moves, or they think is moving, is worth noting and scaring away. I have lived in both the country and city, enjoyed both, but right now there is nowhere I would rather live.
Kathy Alden says
I live 25 miles out in the country. I hear the cows across the road, the roosters next door and coyotes howl! I also hear the airplanes take off from our runway, and what a beautiful site, i love it. I do miss having a grocery store close by, but I have learned to keep the cabinets full along with the freezer. If we do go to town, we go with our list! For now it’s the perfect setting. 10 years from now we will see!! And yes, the stars are bright and the moon is amazing!
June Piper-Brandon says
I have the best of both worlds. We have 3/4 acre in the middle of town surrounded by woods with deer, squirrels, chipmunks, hawks, owls and such. Sometimes we hear roosters crowing in the morning. But, we are in town, close to our neighbors, close to shops, public transit and everything we need. So, I guess we are spoiled. I got home from shopping tonight and there were 3 deer in my yard and I saw a bald eagle on my way home today too. Love it!!
Linda B in MI says
Well, we have lived (address) 25 in 43 years.
Houses with acreage, houses in subdivisions, mobile/manufactured homes, apartments, and a sailboat.
All had their advantages and disadvantages. I find I am VERY adaptable….thank goodness! Our next residence will be a 40 ft fifth-wheel headed to Texas hopefully this winter…might come knocking on your door, Judy. hehe
Joan in Ne says
grew up on a farm. Lived in a big city for a while and hated it. Now have a 100+ year old home in a small town, 13 miles to larger town. Just right. lots of privacy,, post office across the street. DS #2 moved back after almost 30 years away and bought the house across the street. Nice to have assistance with things that are pretty difficult now that we are older. ( Like mowing and cleaning snow off. ) Also nice when something baked comes across the street. But then when he is at work, a lot of times something appears in his refrigerator for when he gets home. A note on his door tells him a “food fairy” came while he was at work. I know thats kind of corny, but its lots of fun too..
Shirley Albertson Owens (sao) says
Here is my guess. A rooster’s crowing is associated with natural splendor – a rural peaceful setting; whereas a dog barking is not associated with anything peaceful! I imagine that is what is going on. I would LOVE to live in the country but I am not there! I live in the suburbs of Richmond….however it is quiet here at night and we do not have street lights – so in that respect it FEELS rural! Someday I would LOVE to live on a farm and have my own bed and breakfast with chickens all around.
sao in Midlothian, VA
Becky in VA says
Upon early retirement we moved to the country 4 years ago where we live off a gravel road with a love driveway to our house on a hill, surrounded by hardwoods – in complete privacy – no lights, no noise, just nature – oh, and we did have a BIG BLACK BEAR at our bird feeder last year. We love everything about living here – including the wild animals!
Kim Paventy says
We live 7 miles outside of a small old town east of Portland Oregon called Sandy. We both love it in the woods on our eleven acre with the bears, elk, deer, and coyotes.
Karen Langseth says
I have been a country girl all my life…I have no desire to live anywhere else.
Micki says
Boy, your questions brought up lots of feelings and responses. I currently live in sm city(19,000) and do it bec it’s convienent. I can hide in my house or yard and ignore all that goes on around! I would love to live in the country, but as I get older,life is easier here.
Pat Hathaway says
We moved to the small rural city where our daughter and her family live so we can be close to our grand children. I’m so glad we did. Our daughter’s husband works out of town several days a week so I’m glad we can be here to help her when she needs extra hands. We are so close to our grand children it is like our home is their home. When our 7 year old grand daughter was born her almost three years older brother had recently had surgery on his back and only wanted his Mom to take care of him so I got to take care of the baby whenever I wanted to. I remember holding her almost all the time, even when she slept. I’m so glad I was here to do that. We are still really close and I spoil her rotten but it only makes her sweeter. LOL So city or country, I will be happy as long as I can be close to them.
peggy says
“The stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas”. Sounds like where you live. My grandparents lived in East Texas, so I know how it can be. I live along the coast in Central
CA where we hear the surf, see the deer, have ticks, see the stars and love it. Do not enjoy going to Southern California to visit my kids, no matter how much I adore them.
Diane says
I have always wanted to live on a “farm”. Not real far from town but far enough so a couple of cows, a pig or two and chickens would be part of my life. I always thought that would be a good way to raise my family. My husband’s job never seemed to agree with that idea and now that I am getting older I don’t think that lifestyle would agree with my body. It takes strength and endurance to do all the necessary daily chores on a farm. I no longer have either sadly.
My husband talks of one day retiring to the city and living in the big middle of it all. Walk everywhere, be near the best hospitals, and live in a downtown loft. I personally think he has lost a couple of screws but if that will make him happy and he let’s me continue to live the quiet life I enjoy we can live wherever he wants. BUT if I do move to the big city I will get that longarm I have dreamed of for years! Then we will both be happy.
Lee says
My childhood was spent mostly in the country, where for the longest period of time on the ranch, our closest neighbor was a mile away. It was hard during the high school years – think social life and the lack thereof. I both loved and hated it, and took it for granted. Followed one whom I thought was the love of my life to a hot dry land with millions of people. I’ve been here now for nearly 40 years, and longing to be in the country again – I hope it happens!
Jolyn Olson says
We live in the country and two pickups passing our place in an hour is a busy road! Dogs barking are more annoying as it’s usually the neighbors dog! No longer a problem for us. We laugh as at night our dog lays out under the yard light always facing north…on duty. I don’t know what he’s watching for…predatory deer? One night we looked out and he and the horse (who thinks he is a dog…a very big one) were both together facing north. Felt so safe!! ha
Mary in VA says
I grew up in an area that is now part of a big city. When I lived there it was subdivisions but not too crowded. 6 years ago I moved to the country. I’m close to all the things I want to do, but it is a 20 minute drive to get groceries and a 40 minute drive to work. When I go back to visit my family I feel suffocated – too many people, too many cars, and too much noise. I prefer my roosters and my stars and my vegetable garden. My parents now live in the country but my kids all prefer the city – I think it is something to do with being young.
Lynn says
Country gal all the way. Grew up on a working farm, some time in Lincoln NE and loved it as a college girl but when my husband and I graduated we moved back to his home area and began farming. I like visiting and doing things in a city but am always glad to get back to the country where there are not so many people, cars or noise.
Helen Koenig1 says
It all kinda depended….. I loved living in the country. However 2 happenings occurred that made me re-think some of this. The first was when my daughter was kicked in the face (broke her nose, blacked both eyes – and she was LUCKY that time) and the second occurred when my son was born a rather severe asthmatic – and had a VERY severe asthma attack and subsequent pneumonia when he was only a year old – it was winter and we were snowbound and in the middle of a blizzard. A neighbour went by snowmobile the 7 miles into town to pick up the badly needed medications. Instead of the usual 15 minute drive – it took him well over 2 hours one way – and took the pharmacist who fortunately was pre-alerted by phone – an hour to go by 4 wheel drive the 8 blocks to the pharmacy to fill the prescription. My son almost didn’t make it. Had we lived in town we would stll have had a rough time of it – but still would have gotten the much needed help a LOT sooner!
So I feel there are blessings – and difficulties – with both choices. I personally prefer to live on the outskirts of a town where there is room enough to stretch and it is quiet enough to hear the stillness in the air – yet close enough to a doctor or hospital, the fire department – or the police, for that matter, that we and our loved ones are safer.
carol c says
country “subdivision” at the end of a dead end road
late at nite can hear the highway 2.5 miles away, if I listen
to it
3am on a cold morning might hear the train track rumble
softly 10 miles away
neighbor 2 lots over have chickens in bird cages-they crow
but are also layers there too.
no one across the road from us, 4 lots down a trailer that
occassionally plays music too loud, call to the sheriff ends
that.
CindyM says
I grew up on a farm in Iowa about 3 miles from the town of 800 where I went to school, and I’m very glad I grew up in that environment…. growing up with the freedom and, yes, responsibilities on a farm helped shape who I am today. it seems like my husband and I gradually moved to larger and larger towns, and we lived for over 12 years in the Dallas-Ft Worth area, which I have to admit, is too much city. But I did get very accustomed to all of the conveniences and opportunities in a city and it is actually nice to step out into yoiur backyard and say hello to yoru neighbor over the fence — that’s not something that bothers me. We now live in a Denver suburb and love it. Denver, to me, is a perfect size city… all of the advantages of the DFW area, withouth the horrific traffic. I can drive 5 or 10 minutes (since we live by the edge) and feel like I’m in the country. Even if I lived in the middle of the city, it would be 30 minutes till I could be in wide open spaces. So this is perfect for me. Suburbs have noises I can deal with, plus we have really expensive windows so they block out most of the noise. Actually crickets and cows now bother me when we stay in the country… something I didn’t even notice growing up there. We adjust, don’t we?
Katie says
I grew up in the city. In a subdivision in the suburbs, so no police station next door, but lots of neighbors and streetlights. I wanted to grow up and live in the country. I made it. We live a few miles out from a small town with a cornfield for an across-the-street neighbor. Of course, our two acres isn’t much and we have neighbors we can see, but to me it’s perfect.
Ranch Wife says
Give me land, lots of land under starry skies…don’t fence me in! 🙂 Our closest neighbor is 10 miles away and town is 25 (too close). LOL. I can’t breath in town although if I had to live there, I would make due, but right now, the thought makes me want to hyperventilate. 🙂
Susan says
Paul and I always agreed pretty well. We couldn’t live way out in the country, but we usually had a place with a lot of space around it. Even in Phoenix, we were in the very middle of a neighborhood where everyone had an acre and 4-H projects abounded. Here, I have 1/3 of an acre, and my property backs up to a ravine with woods on both sides, so it’s a good compromise. Close and yet far. And Knoxville isn’t that big a city anyway. Everywhere I go, I can see the Appalachians covered with trees. =) I would hate where Chad and Nicole live, but when I was young maybe not so much. I like the sound of a dog barking about a mile away. LOL