Rural Versus Urban Living

Until we moved here a few years ago we had always lived in smaller communities with the exception of a brief 18 month stint in Edmonton when a couple of the kids were toddlers.  The smallest community we lived in was a village of about 400.  Clearly we enjoy living in small communities.  Even though we currently live in a rural area it is a community of about 20 families on a dead end road.  There are a considerable number of benefits living in smaller communities or rural areas that more than off-set the drawbacks.  Here's a few benefits we have discovered:

• a real sense of community - Folks tend to know their neighbours in small communities and rural areas fostering the true meaning of community.  Neighbours become someone you can depend on in good and bad times.  They are the best security system you could ever have!
• fewer restrictions - Smaller communities and rural areas tend to have a lot less bylaws and restrictions than urban centres.  That means you have a lot more freedom to live the way you want with respect to gardening, raising small livestock (eg. rabbits, chickens, goats) and the chances of you getting a complaint in a rural area of turning your front yard into an edible garden is nil.  Leaf and garbage burning is the norm in smaller communities and rural areas.  
• peace and quiet - Smaller and rural living means peace and quiet.  Unless crops are coming off there is very little noise.  Home becomes a true haven, a place to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of hectic city living.  The night skies come alive at night freed from the blaring lights of an urban setting.  Wildlife scurries about bringing further enjoyment.
• saves money - Rural living comes with an additional cost of commuting but by far it saves more money than you can imagine.  It quickly curbs the take-out and fast food habit.  It forces a bit of stockpiling so you don't have to drive anywhere in case you run out.  A larger gardens space
• fosters self sufficiency - Rural living fosters self sufficiency through learning how to fend for yourself.  You quickly develop DIY skills because minor repairs are costly to get someone to come to a rural location and if they will come there's usually a waiting time.

Garden Gnome
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