Discussion
I admit to be being a bit of a townie, brought up semi rural/urban but basically I have lived in or around a town most my life. It was neither one thing or the other. You got all the s
t of living in a city (noisy neighbours, trafic, crime, litter, fly tipping) but no advantages of not living in a city (councils are st, nothing is really that handy, you still lack some facilities unless you want a 5 mile drive).
Had 3 years in central London near Sloane Sq (flat paid for my the job) but never really 'got' city life either. Dirty, noisy, crime ridden and no sense of community or neighbours. Public transport was full of nutters and usually inconvenient.
Have now spent 7 years in semi rural Yorkshire. Community life is fabulous but everything is a trek and chore to get to. NOTHING happens. Services are non existent, and yoku end up paying council tax so the nearest town can have a swimming pool,or womens arts centre you never use.
My mind has turned back to city living. I did a tick list and if I can find a house with a large garen and machine gun towers I think I could move back.
So, your pros and cons of City, Town and Rural living if you please.
t of living in a city (noisy neighbours, trafic, crime, litter, fly tipping) but no advantages of not living in a city (councils are st, nothing is really that handy, you still lack some facilities unless you want a 5 mile drive). Had 3 years in central London near Sloane Sq (flat paid for my the job) but never really 'got' city life either. Dirty, noisy, crime ridden and no sense of community or neighbours. Public transport was full of nutters and usually inconvenient.
Have now spent 7 years in semi rural Yorkshire. Community life is fabulous but everything is a trek and chore to get to. NOTHING happens. Services are non existent, and yoku end up paying council tax so the nearest town can have a swimming pool,or womens arts centre you never use.
My mind has turned back to city living. I did a tick list and if I can find a house with a large garen and machine gun towers I think I could move back.
So, your pros and cons of City, Town and Rural living if you please.
Edited by Cogcog on Tuesday 23 November 22:30
.I prefer city living, or at least the bits close to London (zones 2-4) but not 'new' surburbia which seems to breed unfriendly/stupid/uncaring neighbours. Driving and drinking are not compatible so the ability to get on a bus or tube home after a night out is a must. Each to their own, some people like living right in the middle of it (even Canary Wharf?) and some people like rural tranquility of the countryside, but being PH having car-based transport and the means to park it rules out many city locations.
I am lucky enough to have a main home in the Country which is 4 miles from the nearest village shop, and a townhouse in the centre of Aberdeen where I can walk into Starbucks / Subway / KFC etc within 60 seconds of leaving the house.
At home in the Country, I include as neighbours pretty much all the folk in houses and cottages within about a 2 mile radius. We generally stop, chat and say hello everytime we pass. The Postie signs for my recorded delivery mail. The dogs run freely around the garden, the car is parked at the back door... usually unlocked. In summer, if someone in the area is having a BBQ then it is taken an read that there is an open invitation for all and that you will be introduced to cousins, aunts and uncles as "the neighbour from just down the road" even if that might be 2 miles away. The village Newsagent puts aside a packet of bacon for me on a saturday so that I can collect it on a Sunday morning when I drive down for the morning rolls and papers so I am assured of bacon rolls for breakfast. I aint particularly sociable (or nosey!) but can probably name everyone in the area, most of their kids, and have a decent guess at when they last changed their car. If the doorbell rings during the day I usually find myself putting the kettle on as I walk through the kitchen to answer it.
Up in Aberdeen I couldn't tell you the name of the bloke next door and by the time I have walked home having found a parking space within my Permit Zone I couldn't be bothered caring what anyone else in the area drives. If anyone within earshot has a party then I wish they would stop it to cut down the noise. Once the door is locked then thats me settled in for the evening. If the doorbell rings it is an inconvenience.
But.... the contrast is actually good and the hustle and bustle of city life can be vibrant and exciting. I just don't think I could live with it all the time.
At home in the Country, I include as neighbours pretty much all the folk in houses and cottages within about a 2 mile radius. We generally stop, chat and say hello everytime we pass. The Postie signs for my recorded delivery mail. The dogs run freely around the garden, the car is parked at the back door... usually unlocked. In summer, if someone in the area is having a BBQ then it is taken an read that there is an open invitation for all and that you will be introduced to cousins, aunts and uncles as "the neighbour from just down the road" even if that might be 2 miles away. The village Newsagent puts aside a packet of bacon for me on a saturday so that I can collect it on a Sunday morning when I drive down for the morning rolls and papers so I am assured of bacon rolls for breakfast. I aint particularly sociable (or nosey!) but can probably name everyone in the area, most of their kids, and have a decent guess at when they last changed their car. If the doorbell rings during the day I usually find myself putting the kettle on as I walk through the kitchen to answer it.
Up in Aberdeen I couldn't tell you the name of the bloke next door and by the time I have walked home having found a parking space within my Permit Zone I couldn't be bothered caring what anyone else in the area drives. If anyone within earshot has a party then I wish they would stop it to cut down the noise. Once the door is locked then thats me settled in for the evening. If the doorbell rings it is an inconvenience.
But.... the contrast is actually good and the hustle and bustle of city life can be vibrant and exciting. I just don't think I could live with it all the time.
renmure said:
I am lucky enough to have a main home in the Country which is 4 miles from the nearest village shop, and a townhouse in the centre of Aberdeen where I can walk into Starbucks / Subway / KFC etc within 60 seconds of leaving the house.
At home in the Country, I include as neighbours pretty much all the folk in houses and cottages within about a 2 mile radius. We generally stop, chat and say hello everytime we pass. The Postie signs for my recorded delivery mail. The dogs run freely around the garden, the car is parked at the back door... usually unlocked. In summer, if someone in the area is having a BBQ then it is taken an read that there is an open invitation for all and that you will be introduced to cousins, aunts and uncles as "the neighbour from just down the road" even if that might be 2 miles away. The village Newsagent puts aside a packet of bacon for me on a saturday so that I can collect it on a Sunday morning when I drive down for the morning rolls and papers so I am assured of bacon rolls for breakfast. I aint particularly sociable (or nosey!) but can probably name everyone in the area, most of their kids, and have a decent guess at when they last changed their car. If the doorbell rings during the day I usually find myself putting the kettle on as I walk through the kitchen to answer it.
Up in Aberdeen I couldn't tell you the name of the bloke next door and by the time I have walked home having found a parking space within my Permit Zone I couldn't be bothered caring what anyone else in the area drives. If anyone within earshot has a party then I wish they would stop it to cut down the noise. Once the door is locked then thats me settled in for the evening. If the doorbell rings it is an inconvenience.
But.... the contrast is actually good and the hustle and bustle of city life can be vibrant and exciting. I just don't think I could live with it all the time.
Much to be said for village life, but if you are a swinger the city seems the best anonymous choice.At home in the Country, I include as neighbours pretty much all the folk in houses and cottages within about a 2 mile radius. We generally stop, chat and say hello everytime we pass. The Postie signs for my recorded delivery mail. The dogs run freely around the garden, the car is parked at the back door... usually unlocked. In summer, if someone in the area is having a BBQ then it is taken an read that there is an open invitation for all and that you will be introduced to cousins, aunts and uncles as "the neighbour from just down the road" even if that might be 2 miles away. The village Newsagent puts aside a packet of bacon for me on a saturday so that I can collect it on a Sunday morning when I drive down for the morning rolls and papers so I am assured of bacon rolls for breakfast. I aint particularly sociable (or nosey!) but can probably name everyone in the area, most of their kids, and have a decent guess at when they last changed their car. If the doorbell rings during the day I usually find myself putting the kettle on as I walk through the kitchen to answer it.
Up in Aberdeen I couldn't tell you the name of the bloke next door and by the time I have walked home having found a parking space within my Permit Zone I couldn't be bothered caring what anyone else in the area drives. If anyone within earshot has a party then I wish they would stop it to cut down the noise. Once the door is locked then thats me settled in for the evening. If the doorbell rings it is an inconvenience.
But.... the contrast is actually good and the hustle and bustle of city life can be vibrant and exciting. I just don't think I could live with it all the time.
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