In recent years, I've developed a persistent dream of leaving the big city for country-livin'
I grew up in a medium-sized city of 200,000 people. Certainly not a major metropolis, but far from a small town. I always enjoyed the convenience of this setup, wondering how anyone would actually choose to live in the country.
It was my sheltered, city life that made me believe this was the best life had to offer. It was only in my 20's when I began to develop an affinity for a slower, more serene lifestyle.
Research into the multitude of ways in which city living can go horribly wrong sparked my interest for an alternative existence. Evidenced by events such as Hurricane Katrina and the looming prospect of financial and societal collapse, I became enthralled with the idea of moving away from it all, living off the land (as much as possible), and learning to slow down and breathe.
City life is a trap of convenience
In the city, everything is a short drive, bike ride, or walk away. Events are occurring all over at most hours of the day. You can meet your 'type' of person simply by frequenting the right bar, coffee shop, venue, etc. The only obstacle in your way is money, as city-living can certainly be an expensive endeavor.
Well, that and the traffic, which seems to get worse by the week. And the crime, which can certainly be a buzzkill to your night out on the town. Oh, and there is the pesky feeling that humans aren't naturally meant to be crammed into such small spaces and that our sense of community has shifted from the block we live on to the blockchain we post on (sorry, couldn't resist).
There are plenty of amazing benefits of living in a big city. I enjoy going out with friends, trying new restaurants and bars, attending concerts and shows. But I haven't been able to shake this nagging feeling that this isn't where I want to be.
Who needs the city when you have your fantasy of what the country life means?
Four years ago, my partner and I moved to Denver in our quest to move out west and explore more of the country. We already had a strong social network present here, making the move much easier. We love Colorado and being close to the Mountains and the endless outdoor activities at our fingertips. And Denver is a fun city, filled with plenty of like-minded folks on a similar path.
But as much as I've grown to enjoy living in this city, I still long for something less crowded, less busy. A place where we can feasibly get to know the people around us and feel a deeper connection to our surroundings.
We've looked into moving to places such as Salida, a town of about 6,000 seated in the central Rockies, surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks and the roaring Arkansas river running through town. We've fantasized about how awesome it would be to move out in a pack, taking some of our closest friends with us and deepening our bonds with one another, all while slowing down in a scenic environment.
Country life is easy to romanticize when you're not there
Here's the thing in all of this: I've never really lived in the country. The closest to small-town/country living is when I spent 6 years in Mt. Pleasant Michigan for college, an unromantic college town filled with strip malls, chain restaurants, and lacking in the outdoor activity department. I spent a month here and there working on farms as a way to travel and learn more about farming, but that's it.
My experience, much like most city-dwellers, is limited to my imagination and the small trips I've taken to visit my ideal landing spots. It's easy to believe the opposite of your current environment is going to be exactly what you need, especially when you have nothing to suggest otherwise.
Romanticizing the country life, much like romanticizing anything, comes with pitfalls. What if we move out there, only to discover we are bored and unfulfilled by the slower pace? What if our dreams of homesteading and living the good life are shattered when we realize we'd rather just go out to eat and do all of the things we've become accustomed to?
The truth is, I don't know if that would happen. Expectations are often your worst enemy, so it's best not to have any and go in with an open mind, which includes the possibility that it might not work out. Inevitably, it won't be exactly what you need, much like any destination.
Perhaps it's best to drop the fantasy and enjoy the city life for what it is while we're here. That way, when we move to the country, we won't immediately start a different fantasy. One that involves bowls of hipster ramen, trendy bars, and all things convenient.
All uncredited pictures from pixabay.com or my personal account
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