Last Update: 31.03.2022
There’s been a world-old debate about which is better - city life or country life. Everyone feels comfortable in a certain environment. Some prefer to live in their country's capital, while others live in smaller cities. Some people can only live in the countryside and would feel terrible in a crowded city.
The debate might be archaic, but a consensus will never be achieved. People have different preferences and are free to choose where to live. Everyone has their truth and can stick to it.
If you cannot decide whether to live in a city or a village, this article offers you an unbiased opinion on the topic.
It contains a comparison of the pros and cons of each, so you can learn the differences and maybe decide where to move.
*For the sake of illustrating the city with all its good and bad sites, we’ll use London as an example.
A BBC article published recently talked about a statistic of young people moving to the big cities, London in particular, and older people leaving the big cities searching for peace and quiet, and most of all, practicality.
As many asked, people said that the city is great for when you’re twenty, but when you start thinking about having a family, it’s just not that practical to stay there. House prices are crazy, and childcare is expensive. It’s hard to apply anywhere and be accepted because too many people are applying for child care, schools, etc.
To be fair, young people move to large cities and the capital mostly for university and because of abundant work opportunities. Country life does not offer that to young souls looking for career growth and adventures. On the other hand, the city doesn’t offer the space and tranquillity that the countryside offers to a young family with young children. An article in the Guardian shares several personal stories of people who love London and still decided it’s better to move to the countryside and love their new life there.
What you can afford in the city for a certain amount of money will be approximately two or even three times smaller than what you can afford in the countryside.
Living in a City
The big city offers many more amenities than you could ever find in the country. It’s no secret that large cities, London especially, are more developed and offer a wide range of possibilities and cultural experiences that the countryside does not have.
Advantages of City Living
The two main reasons for people to move to the cities are higher education and work:
The endless possibilities of city living attract college-aged people from smaller cities or the countryside and people from other countries. London, for example, is the city with the most cultural and religious diversity in the world. People from all over the world have moved to London in search of a better life, better work, and better education. City dwellers have far more career and job opportunities, but the market is fierce. The upside to jobs from home or in town is that they are often well-paid, and people are likely to find a good match with your current skills.
Public transport:
There is a variety of public transportation at the reach of your palm - buses, trains, cabs, and the Underground. All have regular timetables and run late at night, and you can reach any end of the city. Also, the roads are better and wider. Some routes can even run 24 hours a day.
Amenities:
London - the world epicentre of corner pubs touts some of the world’s ritziest and most prestigious nightclubs. You’ll hardly find any gourmet restaurants or even a big enough grocery store to buy everything you need from one place in the countryside. Meanwhile, you can enjoy a diversity of gourmet or more affordable restaurants and coffee shops in the city—museums, concerts, galleries, exhibitions, local ethnic shops, etc. In addition, the city lifestyle can give you unforgettable moments and many fun nights with like-minded people worldwide. Day or night, the city is alive with music, laughter and general merriment. You can enjoy fantastic music on almost any night of the week here. And there will always be pubs.
Disadvantages of City Life
Overcrowded:
Probably the biggest disadvantage of the big cities. Traffic jams on main streets and boulevards. And while this is a precondition for many diverse acquaintances, people often say they feel more alone.
The busy lifestyle:
In big cities, life moves at a different, faster pace. This leads to stress and not enough time for relaxation and self-care. Not to mention the pollution - both air and noise
Expensive lifestyle:
Everything is expensive in the big cities. There’s no second opinion about house prices, rents, restaurants, shops, transportation, taxes, clothes, food, etc.
However, because it’s a competitive field with so many options in cities, many businesses offer discounts and make regular sales to attract customers so that people can take advantage of that.
Life in the Country
To city dwellers and lovers, country living may sound tedious at first. However, once the avid city lovers decide to settle down and start a family, the practicality becomes heavier than their love for city life. Of course, it’s all up to personal choice. However, there are proven benefits of living in the countryside.
Advantages of Living in the Country
Tranquillity:
Not only is it quieter there because there are no vehicles, crowds or city noises, but also life is much slower and calmer than in the city. Another benefit is the significantly lower pollution levels. Community places such as small markets in the rural environment are very often within walking distance. This allows you to ride a bike or walk any place you want. The fresh air and beautiful scenery are perfect for relieving stress and enjoying a much healthier life. Most, if not all, of the people leaving the big cities for the peace and quietness of the country have said that there is a massive difference in the community feeling. While such is missing in the city, it’s strong and omnipresent in the country.
More affordable:
As we said earlier, you can afford a house in the country for the price of a tiny flat in London. Houses in the countryside can be an excellent value, with council taxes tending to be lower. In addition to the lower cost of country living, you people also get the opportunity to make some improvements to their property and its surroundings.
Home Garden:
Now more than ever, people seek to move out of the city to grow their gardens. Whether it’s for BBQs, a safe place for kids to play, or a way to grow your own vegetables, urbanites seek out places to enjoy the outdoors in their backyards.
The Communities:
In the country, it’s much easier to create a friendly and supportive community. This is something that people in the cities often miss.
Disadvantages of Country Living
Lack of career possibilities:
If you have or want a job in the city but prefer to live outside of the urban scenery, you should brace yourself for long commutes to work. You might need twice the time to get to work than if you lived in the city.
Transportation is scarce in most areas:
Public transport is far less efficient. Aside from the long commute to and from work, you will be pretty much obligated to buy a car. Something which many people prefer city living don’t buy because it’s pointless and expensive.
Country life can be less fun:
There are fewer restaurants and shops, if any, and fewer entertainment options like movie theatres, museums, galleries, and clubs that the urban areas provide.
Power failures:
It may be that your village experiences power failures during the winter. If this happens, remember that it may be days before the electricity is restored. Household appliances, TV and heating, may not be available. Connectivity is vital to many people who work from home these days. Without online access, one would be unable to work remotely or take stock of developments in the outside world via social media.
House Prices in the City vs Country
The biggest and most important expense in life is buying a home. Prices vary greatly depending on location, condition, type and size, and amenities near the property.
The official UK gov. site says that “In England, the January data shows, on average, house prices have risen by 0.4% since December 2021. The annual price rise of 9.6% takes the average property value to £273,762.”
By region, the statistics look like this:
| Region | Average price January 2022 | Annual change % since January 2021 | Monthly change % since December 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Midlands | £235,503 | 11.6 | 1.8 |
| East of England | £341,629 | 11.5 | 1.4 |
| London | £510,102 | 2.2 | -1.8 |
| North East | £150,787 | 8.3 | 1.7 |
| North West | £199,791 | 9.6 | -0.3 |
| South East | £378,311 | 11.1 | 0.5 |
| South West | £307,468 | 10.9 | -1.1 |
| West Midlands | £235,809 | 10.3 | -0.1 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £194,525 | 7.3 | -0.2 |
Source: GOV.UK
And by property type, it looks like this:
| Property type | January 2022 | January 2021 | Difference % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | £459,987 | £409,299 | 12.4 |
| Semi-detached | £278,310 | £252,171 | 10.4 |
| Terraced | £236,083 | £217,353 | 8.6 |
| Flat/maisonette | £243,827 | £233,302 | 4.5 |
| All | £291,560 | £266,588 | 9.4 |
Source: GOV.UK
The prices in London are higher than the average prices for the country. You can read more about moving to London costs, pros and cons.
Read more:
Packing tips for easing your house move.
How long does it take to buy a house?
How to cancel council tax when moving house?
Packing tips for a long-distance move.
Professional Movers for Either Scenario
Whatever you decide to do, move to the city or the countryside, relying on the help of professionals is of paramount importance! For various household move jobs - packing, loading, transporting, unloading and unpacking- your items are better left to professional house movers.
* Disclaimer! Strong Move is a removals service provider. This blog simply provides informational content. This blog does not offer financial or life advice.*
