Countryside Beauty
By Avnique Gill
Living in the country is amazing. There are so many reasons why it’s better than living in the city.
First off, the air is fresh and clean. You can take deep breaths without worrying about pollution. Almost like a personal oxygen bar where you don’t have to share with the smog from cars and smoke from buildings.
In the country, you also get to experience peace and quiet. No honking cars or sirens going off at all hours of the day and waking you from your sleep.
Instead, you wake up to the sound of birds chirping, and the rustling of leaves outside. It’s like being in your own little paradise.
Let’s not forget about the beautiful nature that surrounds you out in the country. You can go for long walks or hikes and expose yourself to the beauty of the countryside.
There’s something so peaceful about being surrounded by rolling hills, beautiful green fields, and colorful wildflowers. It’s like living in a real-life painting and you’re the main point of it.
Living in the country also means less traffic and congestion not only where you live but in the area around you. You don’t have to deal with the stress of rush hour or long lines to wait in to get from one place to another. Instead, you get to enjoy a drive on open roads, taking in the views outside along the way. It’s a much more relaxing and easier way of getting around. A drive that would take you 20 minutes in the city could take you five to ten minutes in the country.
Living in the country allows you to have more space and privacy. You can have a big backyard where you can grow your fruits and vegetables, have a bonfire with friends, or simply relax and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Another thing that should be mentioned is that the crime and trauma rate in the city are much higher than in the country. With this you are more likely to be exposed to crime and traumatic experiences in the city.
You can turn your surroundings into the land of your dreams. Plus, you don’t have to worry about nosy neighbors peeking at your windows.
Many people suffer in major cities due to mental illness, according to data collected by the American Psychiatric Association.
“Living in urban areas has been associated with increased risk for mental disorders, including anxiety, depression and schizophrenia,” they add.
Of course, living in the country may not be for everyone. Some people prefer the hustle and bustle of the city, with its vibrant nightlife, endless entertainment options, and the convenience of having things all in distance from you. However if you value tranquility, a connection to nature, and a slower pace of life, then the country is the place to be for you.
So, what do you choose?
City Life: Practicality and Exposure, at Your Fingertips
By Michael Casarez
There are many dreamers who long to live in serene, beautiful places. They admire towns and villages where nature is at its best, away from all the drama and chaos of city life, far from authority, control, and government intervention. However, they fail to realize the reality of their situations and instead focus on the material aspects of life.
Life in metropolitan areas could be daunting, especially with regards to the immense population, culture shock and cost of living, but it is an experience that exposes one to others in such a unique way that it improves character.
Notable megalopolises, such as New York City, may immediately come to mind. Known as having the largest population in the United States, its nearly eight and a half million inhabitants comprise minority groups that make up the majority.
Although there is a factor of cultural shock, new inhabitants to the city learn to be more accepting and well-rounded, as is the case with many other diverse areas, such as the famous San Francisco Bay Area.
Comprising nine counties, the Bay Area is noted for its beautiful scenery on the waterfront, the nearby sprawling mountains and its rich history. According to World Population Review, “Over one-third of San Francisco’s population were born outside the country.” They go on to explain the cultural differences as well, such as the large populations of Asians, Hispanics, Whites and African Americans.
Furthermore, the website mentions another factor of diversity that should be considered.
“San Francisco is also home to the largest percentage of gay and lesbian people in the United States at 15.4%, as well as the highest percentage of same-sex households.”
Aside from the aforementioned data, another factor to consider includes increased means of entertainment.
In major megalopolises, there are more sufficient facets of amusement. Some, such as Los Angeles, Orlando and Anaheim, have eclectic places of entertainment and stores. Disneyland and Universal Studios, to name a few notable institutions. Not to mention, there are many more large-scale shopping malls that provide equipment for specific needs. If one ever needs anything special at a moment’s notice, there’s sure to be a sufficient emporium nearby.
The aforementioned details are necessary to understand the benefits of living in metropolitan areas, but another factor is the readily available healthcare, which the United States Census Bureau states.
“Residents of rural counties still lack insurance at higher rates than those living in urban areas. About 12.3 percent of people in completely rural counties lacked health insurance compared with 11.3 percent for mostly rural counties…”
This data is definitely unfortunate, but the lack of medical care in small communities adds to the negative aspects of rural life, as KFF Health News explains.
“…Seventy-seven percent of the country’s rural counties are designated as health professional shortage areas. About 4,000 additional primary care practitioners are needed to meet current rural health care needs, the Health Resources and Services Administration has estimated.”
However, the situation gets worse, considering the lack of sufficient access to emergency care and specialists for urgent health needs. Furthermore, mental health professionals are extremely difficult to find, as many physicians, nurses and other healthcare providers choose to reside in or around large cities.
Assume someone was injured in or around their home due to a natural disaster. It’s estimated that such urgent care would be greatly limited, according to the Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine.
“Trauma victims can be difficult to locate and extricate because of the terrain,” they explain. “Bad weather can impede rescue efforts and limit the delivery of on-site patient care.
Environmental factors may demand deviation from normal patterns of care provided in an urban environment.”
However, they also mention the urgency of time and the fact weather conditions play an important role.
“Evacuation to definitive care can be greatly delayed due to travel over difficult terrain and bad weather. Medical response in mountainous terrain can also be greatly delayed compared to an urban setting. Mountain victims may not receive care within the same time frame as in an urban setting because of the location.”
Although rural, serene communities may be physically appealing and offer some sort of individuality, large, multiethnic areas with sufficient access to health services will prove to be more practical.
