Are you a City Woman or a Country Girl?

Every time I go into the city, I crave a penthouse apartment on the 31st floor of some tall skyscraper, so that I can look out over the city lights. I would find a deli open in the middle of the night and go to the theatre every day of the week.

Cities offer stimulation and education, ethnic diversity and good healthcare, shopping, great food, and lots of different people! Of course, the downside is that they are also plagued with traffic, smog, crime and lots of strangers.

Small town life, on the other hand, offers sanity, predictability and serenity. You know your neighbours. Your local market or farm sells everything you love and need. If you need entertainment, there are local theatre productions and plenty of social events to keep you occupied. You may not have the tribal feeling that living in a city provides, but, there is a strong sense of community.

As we enter our 50s and 60s, it’s natural to start thinking about where we want to spend the rest of our lives. One of the most fundamental decisions is whether to live in a city or a smaller town.

Personally, I was born in a city, so urban life is in my blood. I enjoy going to the opera or a restaurant packed with people. I love watching the world’s biggest parades, stretching for miles and miles. But, if I’m honest, as I approach retirement age, country life is really growing on me.

More than any other point in my life, being around a smaller group of people who share my values really appeals to me. Of course, I would still need great internet access, no matter where I lived!

I’d love to hear what you think about this. Please join the conversation below and “like” and share this article to keep the conversation going.

Do you consider yourself to be a city woman or a country girl? Do you find that your opinions about either living option are changing as you get a little older? Why or why not?