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Original poster

WYR Live in the Countryside, Visit the City or Live in the City, Visit the Countryside?

42 replies

Forentive · 11/02/2026 15:56

Would you rather live in the countryside, with trips to the city, or live in the city, with trips to the countryside?

OP posts:
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Pinkladyapplepie · 11/02/2026 21:33

Live in the countryside and never want to leave. My kids live in cities, so I do go but fortunately they live on the outskirts. I don't feel comfortable in a city, ppl don't make eye contact, smile or greet each other it is soooo different to what I'm used to.

swingingbytheseat · 11/02/2026 21:30

Live in the city

PickAChew · 11/02/2026 21:29

Needmorelego · 11/02/2026 16:10

I'd prefer to live in a medium size town (population of a 60,000) with decent public transport and visit both the countryside and the city.

This is what I have, only in my case I live in a small city. Everything I need is in walking distance, including green space, and there's plenty of buses for when I need them, including ones to a bigger city. We were so glad to have moved here, during lockdown, rather than be stuck in our old village.

HarbourClankCat · 11/02/2026 21:28

Done both. Live in the countryside and it wins hands down. I think there’s some naivety that you can’t get good food in the countryside - I’d argue we (inland) have better options than the nearest city and so do our relatives (coastal and enjoying all the fresh fish and seafood).

I think key is choosing a location that gives your family what is needs. We live in a large village with amenities. Teenagers can relatively easily get to places etc. I literally have a breathtaking wonderland on my doorstep every day.

If you're in a city and fulfil your notional “dream” to move to a stunning barn conversion in a field in the middle of nowhere with a family of sociable teenagers, a town and shop 5 miles away, it will probably be a bit shit. But also not representative of ALL countryside living.

HoorayHattie · 11/02/2026 21:28

I live in a city, just a few minutes walk from a beach. It's perfect for me . . . I can head into the city for trains to London, shopping, the library, cinema, meals out etc or I can wander along the beach for miles

RiderOfTheBlue · 11/02/2026 21:28

I live in the countryside (middle of nowhere) and visit the city as little as possible. Last time I went to a city was last September. I've only been to the nearest small town once since Xmas.

PumpkinPie2016 · 11/02/2026 21:27

I live in the countryside and love it. I wouldn't cope living in a city - too much noise, hustle and bustle and people.

I'm happy surrounded by fields/sheep/cows 😂

I understand that it's not everyone's cup of tea though.

Nourishinghandcream · 11/02/2026 21:24

Live in the countryside and since retiring 3yrs ago, haven't been into a city.
Small towns are fine for us.👍

BlackCatDiscoClub · 11/02/2026 21:23

Live in the countryside, visit the city. But I'd need a little village store and a pub within walking distance!

Maraudingmarauders · 11/02/2026 21:22

Live in the country and visit the city, which is what I do. I can’t stand the noise and the lights and the sensory overload of signs and cables and road markings etc etc etc, I like trees and birds.

senua · 11/02/2026 21:21

I live right on the outskirts (so, pretty much countryside) of a town that is near a city.
I shop etc in the town.
I rarely visit the city. I visit it less and less with every passing year..

ShetlandishMum · 11/02/2026 21:13

We prefer city.

Humdrumqueen · 11/02/2026 21:12

Forentive · 11/02/2026 20:15

Why is it shit?

Show quote history

Poverty! Nothing to do. Unemployment is high, salaries are low, redundancies frequent, rent is unaffordable and house prices are high. Opportunities are few & far between. Hospitals are rubbish. Sea is full of shit and tampons.

Femalefootyfan · 11/02/2026 20:32

We live in a village very close to open countryside and visit the city every 6/8 weeks for shopping and dinner out, occasionally the theatre. We’re an hour away from the city using public transport as parking is both a nightmare to find and very costly.
Much prefer living in a village to a city as the peace and quiet is bliss.

muddyford · 11/02/2026 20:24

Live in the countryside and not visit the city.

Original poster
Forentive · 11/02/2026 20:15

Humdrumqueen · 11/02/2026 16:02

I live on the rural coast. Day to day life is shit.

would rather live in the city and visit the countryside or beach at weekends

Why is it shit?

OP posts:
Arlanymor · 11/02/2026 17:35

I live in Swansea - five minute walk to the beach and five minute walk to the city centre - best of both worlds. If I want green nature and waterfalls then I can drive here: https://penllergare.org in under 20 minutes.

Welcome to Penllergare Valley Woods - Penllergare Valley Woods

Welcome to Penllergare Valley Woods, a secret and magical place on the northern fringe of Swansea. Explore all Penllergare has to offer.

https://penllergare.org

BellyPork · 11/02/2026 17:32

I would choose to live in the city because I love eating. All types of food from all over the world. In the right city, it's feeding time all day long.

Eviangeica · 11/02/2026 17:09

We live in the arse end of nowhere and love it, we don’t like the city unless in small does like a weekend away.

EmmaStone · 11/02/2026 16:27

Live in the country. I work in the city (12 miles away), and the DC used to go to school there, so we spend a lot of time there already, but the countryside is our refuge. DH and I both grew up with similar set ups.

Observed · 11/02/2026 16:27

Live in a small coastal town with stunning countryside nearby, as I do now. Best of most worlds.

partytimed · 11/02/2026 16:25

Live in the countryside and visit the city. I need to live surrounded by nature, all the concrete and noise of city life stresses me out.

KimberleyClark · 11/02/2026 16:25

Live in the city. I love visiting the countryside but living there would drive me nuts.

Endofyear · 11/02/2026 16:24

I live in Wales, in a small town just outside Cardiff. Countryside is not far away but I wouldn't like to live out in the sticks! Small town is perfect for me, I like being able to walk to the shops, walk kids to school, doctors and dentist within walking distance too. And we have a small seafront which is lovely when you want a good walk to blow away the cobwebs, and fish & chips!

Twoshoesnewshoes · 11/02/2026 16:17

SpaceRaccoon · 11/02/2026 16:04

I live in the countryside and love it, and feel grateful every day for the peace and beauty of it.

Same
our neatest city is half an hour away, I go in for work 3 days a week, always so happy to leave