Are you tired of the cacophony of city life and looking for a place to escape to and start afresh?

For those who have rarely seen the gentle moonlight, felt the soft breeze, or heard the twittering of birds, the countryside would be heaven for them. Today, many metropolitan dwellers are relocating to the rural side of the country to restore their connection with nature. Goes without saying that living in the countryside, reminds us of the beauty of simple and peaceful living that we have forgotten long ago.

According to the famous writer William Penn, “The country life is to be preferred, for there we see the works of God, but in cities little else but the works of men.” The advantages of rural living are perfectly summarised in this quote.

So if you are getting cold feet about relocating to the countryside, the following facts may help you reach a favorable decision.

Top advantages of living in the countryside

The decision of relocating to the countryside could be a tough one, especially when you have been living in the city for a long time. However, if the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life have left you contemplating, you might want to consider the following advantages of living in the rural side of the country.

1. Low stress: better mental health

Waking up to the lifeless alarm, being stuck in persistent traffic jams, lack of trees, and a small piece of the sky amongst high towers, no doubt life in the city can seem frustrating and stressful. On the other hand, in the countryside, you wake up to the sounds of birds, the sunlight slowly spreading to your room through the windows, and the fresh air filling your lungs. And, when you look out of the window, instead of buildings, it’s a wide-open sky filled with cotton-like clouds. Doesn’t it sound like you’re in a movie? But in reality, it’s actually how people in rural areas start their day. It’s one of the reasons why people living in the countryside are much calmer and more poised than city dwellers.

Moreover, city life is more about a fast-paced routine, noise pollution as well as ads flashing at every corner. Hence, it’s no wonder that someone staying for a long time in the city will start feeling exasperated. Living in the countryside reduces stress to a great degree. When you are amidst nature and under the wide open sky, you naturally feel calm and peaceful inside. You can just go out of your front door and take in the natural surroundings to refresh your mind before the start of your day. In other words, rural areas offer several opportunities to relax and unwind compared to life in the city.

If we talk about mental health, the city environment over-stimulates the two most significant regions of the brain that is responsible for managing emotion and anxiety. According to scientists, it’s one of the reasons why mental health problems are high in urban regions. However, the rates of mental health issues are very less in rural areas. Here, people are less likely to go through excessive anxiety issues, which is something common in the city.

2. Cheaper

There’s no doubt about the fact that living in the city is pretty expensive. However, suburbs are less expensive than the city and the cost of living in the countryside drops even further. Moreover, studies show that the expenses of all the necessities of life are much lower than the city when you are living in a rural area.

When it comes to foods like staple foods, they are mostly grown in rural areas. Hence, they come at a cheaper price compared to the city. Also, you get them fresh from the farm, which is not possible when you live in a metropolitan area. At the same time, the cost of land and properties is much lesser than that of the city.

3. Easy access to fresh organic food

As we were discussing, living in the countryside offers you easy access to staple foods, and hence, they come at cheap rates. One of the biggest advantages is you have access to multiple farms and within ten minutes of drive, you can get fresh vegetables, fruits, and eggs right from people who are growing them. Also, it’s those kinds of food that your body requires in excess. Again, if you want, you can start growing them on your land, if available.

It needs to be understood that access to fresh or unprocessed organic foods is not easily attainable in the city. Moreover, the places where you can buy them are generally located in some corners of the city and such shops are not high in number. Besides, the advantages of eating fresh organic foods are many because they are less exposed to chemicals used in the mass production of foods in factories.

4. Lots of space

Another reason why an increasing number of people prefer to relocate to the countryside is that it has space, and space is a luxury in metropolitan areas. Hence, if you are thinking of building an art studio or a barn, the countryside is the best choice for it. Apart from the natural surroundings, you will have the peace to help you concentrate on your work. Moreover, some countryside has direct views of snow-capped peaks, lakes, or other beautiful scenes depending on which part of the country you choose to relocate.

5. Less pollution

A common aspect in most rural areas of the country is that they have cleaner air than urban areas. One of the major reasons is the abundance of trees as well as lesser number of vehicles and manufacturing plants that mainly contribute to air pollution. The toxic particles produced by these factories and vehicles not only pollute the air, but also the water bodies of the city.

When you live in the countryside, it’s full of fresh air and you have access to fresh water at the same time. That’s why the more you move into the rural areas, the cleaner the air becomes because of the lack of pollution and more trees.

6. It’s safer

There’s no doubt about the fact that crime rate is higher in the urban areas of the state than in the rural parts. For starters, the number of people living in the countryside is fewer compared to the city. Also, the natural environment and simple living allow people to live in peace and harmony. The crime rate in metropolitan is high because of the competition for wealth, power, and status. There’s no such mindset amongst people living on the rural side as they grow their crops, do petty jobs, and live a peaceful life.

In other words, if you’re searching for a place that is safe for your family, where you could leave the doors and windows open without having to worry about theft or robbery, the countryside is the place you’re looking for.

7. Easy access to extracurricular activities

Whether you’re a kid or an adult, it’s more thrilling to live in a countryside than in the city. In rural areas, you can go fishing, camping, hiking, star gazing, and many other adventurous activities that are not available in the urban parts of the state. In metropolitan areas, all you have are indoor games, gym clubs, pubs, and other relevant areas to spend your weekends or free time.

However, there are much more fun things to do in the countryside. Such activities also help in the growth of children as they learn lessons about life and how to become strong and self-dependent over time.

8. Reduce your carbon footprint

The decision to relocate to the countryside is also a scope to reduce your carbon footprint on the earth. Today, many people are investing in sustainable homes in the rural parts of the country as they want to contribute towards conserving the natural resources of the planet.

Eco-friendly or sustainable homes are constructed with materials that won’t pollute the earth. Such homes are made of mud, lime, bamboo, and other renewable materials that are environment-friendly and have several advantages. A big advantage of staying in sustainable homes is they enhance energy efficiency to a great degree. First of all, they reduce your reliance on non-renewable energy. Mostly because the eco-friendly homes are powered by solar panels installed on the roof of the buildings. Secondly, they allow plenty of natural light to come into your rooms, which reduce the need for any artificial lights

Also, the materials by which these homes are made have excellent insulation properties that reduce your energy bills to a great extent. Also, rainwater is harvested and can be used for gardening, doing laundry, and in the toilet. People who stay in sustainable homes also dig wells to keep an additional source of water for various needs.

Final thoughts

To cut a long story short, the benefits of living in the rural parts of the country are something that you won’t find amidst high-rise buildings. Besides, there’s a stronger sense of community that adds to the numerous advantages of relocating to the countryside. Although there will always be some trade-offs, if you consider the benefits discussed above, then it’s worth a reason to move out to the countryside and live a peaceful and healthy life.