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| We traded this... |
“We’ve built a ‘human zoo,’ caging ourselves in routines, technology, and artificial environments.”
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Cities are great places. They are exciting and interesting hives of activity. I lived in a city of a million people for almost a decade, and I mostly enjoyed it.
However, it is my hope that I will never have to live in a large city again. Or even a small city.
About 55% of the global population currently lives in cities. That is over 4 billion people. The UN projects this will rise to almost 70% by 2050.
Around 80% of Canadians live in cities, meaning the rest of the land is virtually empty. That is where I will be found.
Don’t get me wrong. I love people. I just don’t want to live around a whole busy bunch of them. For my nervous system, that is urban overload.
That is why my dream has always been to live in as remote and beautiful a location as possible.
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| ...for this. No traffic jams here. |
Currently, I live in an amazingly quiet and beautiful district in Nova Scotia with 4.4 people per square kilometre.
The largest city I have ever lived in has a density of 1,550 people per square kilometre.
I’m headed in the right direction.
If you're plotting your own escape, start small: Pick a day for a "rural reconnaissance"—drive, hike, or research a low-density spot that appeals to you.
No commitments, just some testing - sense the quiet, note what your nervous system is telling you.
A low-stakes audit can turn dreams into coordinates, like it did for us.
How about you?
Are you a city person, or does rural living appeal to you more?
Have you had enough? Are you planning to escape the urban overload?
Let us know your plan in a comment below.
We lived in a large city in SW Florida for over 20 years. 20 years ago, we moved to a small Midwest town, and we LOVE it here.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is quite the move. I can see enjoying getting out of the city, but don’t you miss the weather?
Delete- Gregg
I love where I live. But I think I'm really lucky. In a big city (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) but a silent neighbourhood, but yet old and historic (and it has a special history if anyone cares look up 'Staatsliedenbuurt' and the old revolutionary spirit is still present), close to the center where things happen, and at the same time at walking distance from a nature park, 20 minutes biking to woods. But then affordable supermarkets nearby as well. I have a yard that lacks sun unfortunately but still grows me some vegetables. Looking out from the back window I see trees that were planted 1915, the building year of my block. The cats have a long stretch of green to play in behind the building.
ReplyDeleteIt feels to me like having it all. Having a more or less village life in the city. People here know each other but without the gossip. I left my home village at 21 because I couldn't stand the narrow mindedness around me, but also the noise of a newly built highway. I don't hear cars where I am now.
That sounds beautiful. It is a major thing to not have any traffic noise, especially in the city. While we live in a rural location, the paved road that goes by our home has a speed limit of 80km. Good thing it is not too busy. When there is no traffic it is very quiet and peaceful.
Delete- Gregg