Do you live in the city, suburbs, or country? Where you live obviously has an effect on your lifestyle on many levels. The city dweller has to contend with traffic, finding a place to park, more smog and pollution, higher prices on many things, and other various issues, while suburbanites tend to have the best of both worlds. Living in the suburbs allows you easy access to the amenities of the city without the other challenges.
Of course, there are benefits to city life as well. There is more culture to experience on a daily basis and you don’t have to commute if you work in the city. The view may also be something that you enjoy, especially at night, when the lights of the city shine brightly.
The suburbs and the country, however, tend to offer closer-knit communities. Smaller towns usually include small or family owned businesses, which generally mean more personalized service. Neighbors in smaller communities often get to know each other, and a greater number of neighbors, on a more intimate level. Schools are frequently smaller as well, which may mean a better education due to more one on one instruction.
Country living has the added benefit of offering natural scenery, cleaner air and water in most cases, and even though neighbors are friendly, country life tends to be more private. Distance between homes is just one aspect of the privacy issue. Another is the fact that people who live in the country are inclined to respect other people’s property and privacy to a greater degree for the most part, because they know how much work goes into preparing land in order to live on it or work it.
One of the drawbacks of living in the country is the need to drive further to reach stores as well as other businesses, services, and institutions. There is also the issue of not being able to access the same amenities (public park, public pool, large libraries, sporting or music events, etc.) as easily as those who live in cities or suburbs.
Every area has its pros and its cons, and your lifestyle has a lot to do with the kind of location that will make you happy. Take it from someone who has lived in each type of location. Each area causes a certain amount of culture shock when you are new to it, but each one also has certain benefits that make it a great place to live.