If I was a rock climber, maybe I’d be swayed to live in the country, but I have my reasons for picking the city… even though it’s more crowded…
As many of you may know, we’ve spent the last 2 years barreling through the United States in our big old tour bus.
We’ve held presentations and talks in over 50 cities and have met thousands of health nuts like you – many of you have actually become our friends.
We’ve been grateful to have this experience.
The adventure, unfortunately, was destined to end – and it did just a few weeks ago when we pulled our RV into Berkeley and rented an apartment for the first time in years.
When we first decided to settle, we knew we would have to make a very difficult decision.
Would we live in the city or in the country?
A city would provide access to community, alternative transportation, social opportunities, and easy exercise. While the country would provide security, more space, more opportunity to grow our own food and safer for preparedness factors.
There are many benefits of both, so in order to analyze all the options Annmarie and I actually sat down with a piece of paper (who uses paper anymore?), made two columns – one that said “City” the other “Country,” and began to list the benefits of each one.
This way, we could identify our unique needs and how they fit into what our plans for the next few, if not more, years.
The reason I’m sharing these options with you, is because we’ve run into many, many people who are considering moving from a city to feel safer due to many economical, natural and social fears that they have. We’ve also met people who felt too isolated in a natural, secluded environment.
My goal here is to help you make an easier decision, either now, or in the future – just as I wish someone else had broken this down for us when we were making our own decision.
If you’re not planning on moving, this article will help you decide if you’re perfectly matched to your community or if there may be something that is a better fit for your personality.
So here are the pros and cons of each type of living broken down into acquiring food, exercising, community, things to do, mental health, transportation, budget and preparedness.
1. Acquiring Food.
Of course food is #1 on the list.
We love eating. It’s one of our favorite things to do. We spend a large percentage of our income on food and it’s one of the best ways (if you’re buying healthy foods) to ensure that you increase your quality of life as you age.
One of the biggest things that we have already missed – even 3 weeks into our time here in Berkeley – is visiting different farmer’s markets, cafes, restaurants and groceries all around the country.
I’m the type of guy that thinks a perfectly stacked display of oranges is more attractive than about 95% of what you’ll find at the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan (though that may not be saying much…)
Finding food in a city is easy, with one exception. (Which I’ll get to at the end of this section.)
Of course, you have to find a city where good organic and raw foods are available, but overall, many small to mid-sized cities across the country have farmer’s markets, a CSA and at least one natural health store.
Some great gems around the United States are Ann Arbor, Michigan; Flagstaff, Arizona; Portland, Oregon; Denver / Boulder, Colorado; Great Barrington, Massachusetts; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and – of course – Berkeley, California.
We live now within a 10 block radius of two healthy markets, at least 6 restaurants with either raw or vegan or organic whole food options, and 3 farmer’s markets (one all year round).
This to me is a dream come true. We had asked for all of these options on our list.
On the other side, there are benefits of getting food in the country as well.
While you may not have access to great groceries or restaurants, you will likely have access to great farm fresh foods or – even better – your own.
Living in the country brings you closer to your food source (if you’re growing your own or buying direct) and allows you to contribute to the reduction of environmental stress that occurs with shipping. (The negative being you may need to drive to the farm!)
If you have a green thumb and are good at growing your own food, you can do so both in the city and the country, but you will be able to grow more food with less regulation in the country than in the city. City lots are smaller, you can only have very few animals (if any – if you choose that route) and community gardens sometimes have waiting lists.
So for food, both places are somewhat equal for us. We’re not great at growing things and the upkeep of a garden – particularly since we travel a bunch – allowed us to chose city over country in this category.
But if you’re around most of the time and have a green thumb, your best bet is definitely the country.
To add to the benefits of the country, if there is a natural, social or economical disaster you will more likely be able to acquire food easily than if you live in a city.
So with all skills and abilities even, it’s better to live in the country for simply acquiring food.
For our needs, we found the city would provide us with more ease in acquisition of food without having to care regularly for our own livelihood. Plus, our skills, when it comes to gardening leave much to be desired. Our personalities and schedule are not as well suited for growing food also – we travel often and tend to get caught up in work which leads us to last minute decisions about food. The good news is that when you’re surrounded with good options, those last minute decisions are always good.
When you don’t have healthy options, “last minute” translates to take out, pizza or Chinese food.
When you do, it becomes, smoothie, raw meal, vegan dinner, or a big old salad.
2. Ability to Exercise.
You can exercise everywhere…
So before I even start this category and its details, I want to be sure that you don’t use this as an excuse to affirm why you can’t exercise!
With that said, both the city and the country will be good for everyone.
But, each individual has needs and preferences when it comes to exercise that need to be addressed.
In the country – if you’re a nature lover – hiking, running, riding, and any other outdoor activity is available at your disposal.
You can climb mountains, swim in lakes, or bike down country roads.
It’s generally safer to be active outdoors in the country – unless you’re into extreme sports – because there are less people, less cars and less pollution.
When I lived in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn 10 years ago, I used to run along the Belt Parkway for exercise. While I was running, at times, I could literally reach out touch the cars as they passed by at 70 miles per hour. The exhaust fumes were so thick at rush hour, I’d avoid running between 4 and 7 completely. (There was also a weird smell that came from the bay, that I could never identify.)
You won’t have this experience in the country.
Also, since Yoga and other activities are getting more popular in the U.S. your chances of finding a yoga studio or a gym near you – if you live in the country – that has classes you enjoy is increasing. It’s still not 100% certain, but the options are more diverse than they’ve ever been.
In the city, exercise is different. While there are more options in most cities, there also are more hazards. Cars, crowds and pollution being the most prevalent (I contemplated adding dog poo to this list as well…)
So while you can still run, hike or bike around town, it’s not like being on a peaceful mountain trail outside of Telluride, Colorado.
Also when you take classes, expect to have 30-50 people in the same class as you, not 5-15.
The benefit of being in the city, is that exercise becomes your lifestyle, not necessarily your destination.
For instance, yesterday, Annmarie and I went out to look for a dresser for the apartment and ended up walking more than 5 miles to get to various secondhand shops. (We even found two bar stools for $10 that we carried back with us for 2 miles.)
Today, I took my bike to meet a friend for lunch and that was a 2 mile ride there. In total, when I leave the office and arrive home, I’ll have rode my bike 5.5 miles.
In the country, while it’s entirely possible to ride a bike everywhere, you may have to be prepared to ride an hour or so or more to get into town, which depending on your personal schedule, may be possible or may not.
To make our decision, it was easy. I’ve been explaining to Annmarie how awesome it is to integrate exercise into your life when you live in a city. I’ve lived in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Atlanta in the past and each time I relied on my feet and public transportation to take me where I wanted to go. In Berkeley, we’ve added an option to bike and now have incredible access to whatever we need and can exercise on the way there.
So to wrap up this section, exercise is possible in each place – you can live on the moon and still exercise – but if you’re a nature lover who is easily motivated the country is best. If you’re a little more hesitant or have a busy schedule that can take you away from your fitness routine, the city will force you to live an exercise rich lifestyle – as long as you commit to not use the car.
3. Building Community.
Community is an important part of your health.
If you notice, throughout history, there are very few recognized groups of humans who were classified as non-community based. Being in groups is our nature.
Both the city and the country have community building opportunities.
The city comes out on top in my book, because you have more liberty to choose your community than have it choose you.
So for instance, there are 5-7 foodie type groups in the East Bay area. We plan on going to each group eventually and seeing which one is the best fit for us and our personality. In the country, you’re lucky to find one foodie group and if you do and there aren’t a bunch of people that you get along with in the group, you’re either forced to not be a part or start your own.
In the city, while there are many options, you may also end up making shallower relationships because there are more people in each group. It’s not always the truth, but a possibility.
In the country, you’re limited by what exists and what you start (and this even may be limited by the number of people in your town.)
You’ll always likely be able to find some type of religious community (hopefully it fits your beliefs), but it will be more difficult to pick and choose your other social communities, due to relative lack of options.
In the country, if you have a good group of likeminded people, you will likely benefit from really close relationships as well, because the less people there are, the more you can get to know them.
There are exceptions to this rule. Henry and Paula Brake have an awesome group in Rocky Mount, NC where you’d think there isn’t much. But in general, the more people, the more opportunities to build community around what you like to do.
In our case, we knew we wanted to be in a city to network, make friends and connect with people who are into what we do. The 3rd highest source of traffic to Renegade Health is the Bay Area! We knew if we came here, there would be a lot of cool people we’d want to hang out with. (Google Analytics helped make the decision for us!)
4. Things to Do.
The easy answer to this category is that since cities have more options, then the city is your best bet.
But that’s if you view the various options that cities have to be valuable to your personality and needs.
Most progressive cities have theaters with diverse programming, colleges with lectures, community sponsored events, and more.
We’ve already seen a talk and been to two community sponsored events in the 3 weeks we’ve been in Berkeley. We saw Michael Pollan speak in Marin, we went to a Chamber of Commerce function and I went to a business networking event. There are hundreds of more opportunities here as well that I’m sure we’re missing – or just don’t have the time to attend.
As for the country, if you like organized events like the ones I mentioned above, you’ll be missing out. But, if you don’t like large groups of people or prefer to be around your immediate family, you probably won’t care about the theater or the speaker series at a big university.
In the country, “things to do” could be just playing in the yard or making a bonfire.
For us, since we (I) need a lot of stimulus and we both love to be around people, the city was the best option.
But if you prefer to be in smaller groups of people and don’t need much to make you happy, then the country is perfectly suitable for you.
These are just the first 4 categories we discussed when we were deciding which option was the healthiest for us – city or country. Tomorrow, I’ll have four more categories like transportation, budget-friendly-ness, mental health and preparedness.
I want to know your thoughts: Do you live in the city or the country? Which one do you think is better?
Live Awesome!
Kev
**
Really Raw Almonds Special – Buy in Bulk and Save!
http://store.renegadehealth.com/cart.php?m=featured
Live Awesome!
Kev
7:26 pm on March 28th, 2011
I live in the country on a couple acres. It’s really nice, plenty of trees and uncultivated land nearby. I’m still 10-20 minutes from stores, banks, entertainment. etc. I was kind of wondering why you ended up in Berkley, California. California in general has some of the worst air quality out of the whole US. But, I guess you have your reasons for picking there.
7:30 pm on March 28th, 2011
I live in the country and I feel its better, at least for me.
7:36 pm on March 28th, 2011
I currently live very much in the country- although inlays are within 1/2 mile, other neighbors are over 5 miles away. Our closest library and supermarket are 70 miles (over dirt roads in good weather). I love the tranquility and the fact that everyone helps each other out; long hikes and fresh air; a lifestyle governed by hours of sunlight, not a clock. On the other hand, I spent 10 years in inner city Boston and loved it- always something to do, someone to do it with, any food I wanted, going everywhere using public transportation. I feel blessed that i feel so comfortable in both settings, I still can’t decide which is my ideal!
7:39 pm on March 28th, 2011
We recently moved from a capital city to a regional city that’s an hour away – and we are loving it. It’s kind of a halfway option between city and country living, with a regional city having great community groups, friendly people (it’s TRUE!) and nearly all the resources of a capital city.
I think just knowing that any car pollution generated here has more ‘air’ around in which to dissipate is fabulous. We also live in a leafy, gorgeous area of town, and so feel closer to nature than we did around the busier roads etc of our previous city.
We’re also closer to spa towns in the country (woohoo!), and there are heaps of regular farmers’ markets. Organic food isn’t quite as prolific in supermarkets, but it’s improving (we are growing some of our own, anyway!).
I think just the more-peaceful energy that we’re experiencing is the best payoff. I really hate walking near the three- or four-lane busy roads in major cities, and sometimes that’s unavoidable, when you live there.
Regional cities rule! (For us, at least!)
7:54 pm on March 28th, 2011
Thanks for this great look at city vs country Kevin!
I have lived in NYC for over 20 years now- with several excursions out for 6- 18 mos- but mostly here. I completely love the access I have to great food, culture, social network and community of the real “in-person” kind (we live in Greenwich Village and it’s a very vibrant and warm neighborhood, and think other nabes here are like this, as well in Brooklyn). I go down to “Hudson Beach” as i call it often, the lovely park that runs along the west side of Manhattan on the Hudson River. I walk my dogs there and take my shoes off for some barefoot time in the park. (Yes even in the Metropolis you can find a clean place to put your tootsies on the ground!) My health has actually improved in the time I’ve been here.
But I must say it’s essential to create a quiet haven in your home here otherwise it can be difficult. Even though our nabe is relatively quiet, I still have triple pane windows, heavy drapes and soothing sounds to mitigate street sounds when I sleep. We have an easily accessed rooftop to grow plants on, and to step out onto for sunshine and fresh air through the seasons, and live in the top of a walk-up- bc I like the privacy this affords, and also the added exercise it takes. It’s a wonderful priviledge to live here I feel- but here’s the things I miss: being able to sleep with my window open for fresh air and more living space. Periodically we’ll rent a place out of the city for a change and it’s sublime. But then i find i’m itching to be back in the “hub”.
So finally I think the best for me is to create access to both city and country on a regular basis.
Thanks for all you and Annemarie do and Congrats on your new home and city- they are lucky to have you guys there!
7:55 pm on March 28th, 2011
I lived in staten island ny most of my life. I do like the variety of things to do and the easy transportation, but something you did not mention which is important to me and many people who are getting ready to retire is the weather. It is a pleasure for me to go into my backyard and forge my wild backyard in the spring summer and some of the fall but the winter in NY Sucks! I want to live in a tropical area where I can have access to wild greens all year and be able to swim and enjoy the outdoors. I am not much of a farmer either but Forging for Wild food is much healthier and easier!
8:00 pm on March 28th, 2011
no contest: country hands down.
~dark skies at night (!!!!)
~in your face NATURE,
~no traffic, few cars (to listen to, to drive,
to smell, to see, to park)
~soooo much to do, free! hiking, swimming,
exploring.
~ cheaper, less money needed
~ off grid living…composting toilet, gardens,
solar, micro hydro
~less choices. (which i see as a very important
element)
~ pets are happier, having free range
and finally….
….shower naked outside year round…
8:04 pm on March 28th, 2011
Hi Kevin
I would love to buy some really raw almonds but I live in Edmonton Alberta Canada.
Do you know if the almonds can be shipped to Canada?
I am at the moment living in the city but I am currently building a house in the country to which I will retire and looking forward to it.
8:09 pm on March 28th, 2011
The time we have all been waiting for, Jonny 5 steps out of the shadows and into the limelight he so greatly deserves.
After years of zig zagging across the United States, we will get a glimps of our great nation from a viewpoint only Jonny 5 can deliver.
He has the uncanny ability to bring great people and experts to their knees, inviting him to sit in on private meetings and conversations.
Now Jonny 5 has a lot to say, and he will not be silenced!!
JONNY 5 IS ALIVE !!!!
8:09 pm on March 28th, 2011
Hi Kevin and AnnMarie, I have been enjoying your articles lately.
I moved from Berkeley to Patagonia, AZ (what you would call the country)1 year ago. I was drawn here for the natural feel and for the fact that it is near the Tree of Life and that means a lot of Patagonia residents that I meet are drawn to a natural lifestyle.
What I love most about living out here is that I have the most amazing and beautiful views of mountains whenever I step outside. The air always smells like I am camping (fresh and natural) and the stars at night are spectacular!!! I go on hikes almost every morning as the sun comes up and I often sit beside the trail after hiking for a while and meditate in total peace and tranquility while the birds chirp and the sun comes up over Red Mountain. We are so lucky to have a small little Natural food store 1 mile from our house and to actually know the owners and make requests that they honor. I can get organic produce cheaper here than I ever did in California or even Tucson which is an hour away for that matter.
So even though I do miss the city sometimes, I so love that I can breathe fresh, fresh air and know so many of my neighbors and feel a sense of community I have never felt before, ever!
Okay, I’m off for a hike now
8:15 pm on March 28th, 2011
Hi Kevin, Thanks for the Almond info. & deal!
I’ve live in the suburbs of LA all my life, since 1973 in Long Beach, CA. In 2 yrs. my husband will retire and we’re wondering where to go…we’re 2 miles from the beach, and the weather is great here,yet we both long to live in the country. He is originally from Binghamton, NY which is upstate and pretty country, but very, very cold! We know folks who have gone to Costa Rica, where I’d like to go – but he is a little worried about politics, etc. Where do you suggest?? having been all over the country, sounds like you settled where you are due to your business mostly, and like-minded people! Let us know where else you’d settle plz. Thanks, Mary:)
8:21 pm on March 28th, 2011
Wendy Green says it all for the country, great place to raise kids too. But when they hit their later teens, they want to do the things Kevin settled in Berkley for, which is great for that stage in their lives.
I think everyone should be blessed with the ability to experience it all. Then maybe everyone would have a more well rounded view of how to treat mother earth and everyone who lives here.
8:21 pm on March 28th, 2011
We live in the country although we could live in town. Our decision is based on the environment where we live in NE MN on a lake which provides for year round activities. Swimming & boating when the ice is gone, skiing during the winter months. We can walk along our highway for an hour or more and not see more than a handful of cars if that. Quality of air, forest and water is what draws us. Downside is we are less social as we need to plan our visits into town more carefully due to the distance which is 35 miles. Outside of that, we have a wonderful atmosphere that whenever we arrive home and step out of the car our senses remind us why we are here. We garden and scour the forest for berries, nuts, wild flowers and herbs.
8:48 pm on March 28th, 2011
I live in between. We have pollution problems, especially in the wintertime because of the air getting trapped in the valley. Technically it’s a city, but our lot is about an acre. We have chickens, turkeys & pigeons, and we have a good-sized garden. We have lots of people around, as most lots are smaller than ours, and it’s a good neighborhood & community. I live 1 1/2 miles from the nearest bus stop, but only 2 miles from where I work – at a store where I am around lots of people, which satisfies my need for being socially interactive. The mountains are 10 minutes away, and the organic food market (which includes grass-fed animal products) is not much further. There are museums and swimming pools and theaters and fishing and hiking and rock climbing all within a 10- to 30-minute drive. I would ask for less pollution and a warmer winter, but overall, it is wonderful for me!
8:50 pm on March 28th, 2011
I live in the city but not in THE city that I want to live in LOL
but one day I’ll be where I want…near yoga centers, fresh markets, etc….
til then I’m stuck in metropolitian south florida!
8:56 pm on March 28th, 2011
I have lived on 640 acres for 18 years and, even though I don’t “own” all the 640, I have access to it. There really are advantages to both city and country however, if a person has hobbies and interests they don’t really “need” things to do and exercise has always been a part of my life in the country. Kevin and Ann Marie, come visit sometime if you like. If you leave Berkeley by 9:00 a.m. you would be here by noon.
8:56 pm on March 28th, 2011
Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Economic Collapse, Nuclear meltdown, terrorist attacks, infrastructure breakdown (esp. electrical), tsunami, raising sea level, ecological breakdown, etc, etc.
I i think these are the most compelling reasons to live in a more rural environment. Just because these things have not happened on a disastrous national scale in the recent past, doesn’t have any bearing whatsoever on the near future. Beware the normalcy bias. Also i don’t like the way power in the world is becoming more and more centralized. This is the rise of rule of man, the death-culture, and the human culture’s move away from God and Nature, or the Tao, or however you like to think of it. Living in smaller communities and towns is a way to resist this centralization of power. If a disaster hits a big city, there will be gridlock of cars trying to escape, shortages of, food, water, shelter, gasoline, and everything. It could be a horrible desperate scene with plenty of looting and robbery and violence. Giant cities are bit like Nuclear Power Plants, pretty nice as long as everything goes just right. I live in a city of one million now. It makes me nervous. I want to move to a smaller town, but not a backward town…. Unfortunately many small communities can be rather narrow minded about how people should be. Anyone have a good list of open-minded/prgressive small towns? Especially towns under 50,000 people?
8:56 pm on March 28th, 2011
Kevin, we share a birthday,
and you certainly choose topics that are
top on my list of interest.
You did a great job of educating on both sides
of this topic.
Personally, I have criss-crossed from country to city many times. I was born on a traditional farm with animals, gardens, and yellow school buses, and then went city, country and then off to the big city in Vancouver, B.C., for all of my 20′s.
My deduction:
I am definately a country girl at heart,
but I loved the city in my 20′s,
lots of people, parties, dances, and restaraunts, and a decent job too.
To raise a family though, I choose the country hand-down, less peer pressure, more outside natural “grounding”, and alot quieter lifestyle.
10 years from now when the kids are grown and gone…who knows
One tip for city people looking to go to the country….remember ..the country may have mosquitoes, coyotes howling, deer eating your flowers and the odd bear cruising through the neighbourhood in the fall.
If you are open to living in harmony with ALL of the country residents, you will love country living. (I was picking up dog droppings yesterday and right beside it in our yard was a pile of “elk droppings”, that’s country living.)
I look forward to your next tips on City/Country living, it is a fabulous topic.
9:06 pm on March 28th, 2011
I believe self sustainability is best for the future we have yet to encounter. Country it is for me.
9:11 pm on March 28th, 2011
Hands down the country! I’ve lived in both the city and country and by far, country is the best!
9:29 pm on March 28th, 2011
I’ve always lived in suburbs. I have city and country settings here.
9:38 pm on March 28th, 2011
There has definitely been a time and place for country living and city living for me. I cherish both experiences and I think it’s important to embrace wherever you are.
The city was fast-paced and activity, action and people packed but was also a source for trouble (which at the time I enjoyed very much!)
At this moment in time, I love my garden and access to the beautiful parks that are close by for mountain biking and hiking. I’m not completely removed living in NJ 50 miles south of NYC but I do live in a horse town where everyone has lots of acreage. I love having access to NYC, I must admit.
Best of luck to you in your new home! I lived in San Francisco and love the Bay Area!
9:53 pm on March 28th, 2011
I live in a suburb just east of Kansas City, Mo. There is a huge interest in organic here with many organic farmers in the surrounding areas. I have had an organic garden for over 35 years. My mail order almond tree arrived today, but it will be a while before I get any raw alonds from it– so I ordered 5# of your almonds and look forward to getting them!! I’m also planting 5 dwarf cherries and 2 bush cherries and some more blueberry and blackberies. I went to an organic farmer expo last Saturday and bought an Aronia bush to plant also- supposed to be very high ORAC. Right now my garden is covered in a hairy vetch ground cover and will plant the berry bushes in the hairy vetch. Then, I will tuck in lots of greens such as kale, arugula and spinach. Oh, and I just found out I can have 3 chickens here in Raytown and it would be nice to have chicken manure for my compost. (I am vegan except for two eggs a day, so am ovo-vegetarian) I have the convenience of being within 20 minutes of anything in the KC area so have the best of both worlds. I do love the country and my sanity depends on a couple camping trips a year in my tent.
10:32 pm on March 28th, 2011
We live in the country about 25 miles from down town Austin and grow what fruits and veggies we can on a little more than an acre near a creek. It’s a battle sometimes, like right now; we have armadillos digging in our raised beds, fire ants in one of the worm tower and leaf cutter ants foraging on new tender green growth. We are grateful!
11:38 pm on March 28th, 2011
I agree with your analysis that both the city and country have benefits to when choosing a place to live. You mentioned Santa Fe, New Mexico as having a good farmers market etc. I live in southern New Mexico, Las Cruces to be exact. Our farmers ranked has been ranked in the top 10 in the country. Our population is 100,000 but with a small town, friendly atmosphere. It takes 20 minutes to drive across town. I guess you can say we have the best of both worlds. Small, friiendly town with a food coop, space to build, beautiful mountain range to the east. Great weather 11-11 months out of the year. A hidden gem. Coincidently i moved from california to New Mexico and find it a great palce to live.
11:51 pm on March 28th, 2011
Welcome to Bezerkely Kev!
I’m right over the bridge in SF, maybe we’ll see you guys around.
Ray
12:00 am on March 29th, 2011
y’all, I live in the best city on earth, at least I feel that way. When I first got here many years ago, I felt like it was actually a great big piece of the country squashed into a really small space. I thought I was either walking around in some drippingly beautiful oil landscape painting or in a huck finn novel meets now. The trees have the right of way over the sidewalks and oh-my-those trees. Nothing is as magnificent and as…maternal as a live oak. And of course we have crepe myrtles, magnolias, palms and so many others. We have year round flowers, you can know the time of year by which ones you smell wafting on the air. The warm weather keeps the pace nice and slow and yet, everything I want to do is five minutes away and I can park out front. Our air quality is ok, certainly better than New York or Cali. Even though we are a little ways from the ocean, gulls definitely visit here. You can, in certain weather, hear them. Our water is dirty, but we filter it and the ground water here, if you can get to a well or spring, which we do here and there, is magnificent. We have neighbors three feet to either side but we have our own house and everyone has glorious gardens. We did have to dig out the soil and replace it (due to lead from the silly days) but now we garden in a three by 12 foot space. In addition to that, we have an acre and a half planted with fruit trees about a half hour out of Uptown where we live, where land is so much cheaper. So, with a little drive, we can have a bonfire. And we often do, and invite any number of folks to join us. Its fun to be at a bonfire with folks who are so moved by it due to their general city ways.
We even have the smallest whole foods in the nation — and I can bike or walk to it, through the park — so its perfect. Big but cozy. And the building is beautiful. My god I am so spoiled by the beauty of the buildings here. I could NEVER live with low ceilings again. And this place has music, pouring out of all kinds of places in all kinds of ways. I will admit, we have a wee too many outdoor music fests but some of our fests are unbelievably lovely, like the strawberry one, for example. And we have lots of film festivals of various kinds, and theatre and theatre festivals and so much art and even the art has a country flair. Its just our style. But, if you want cosmopolitan, its here too. Just less common. One thing we lack is swimming holes (unless you count the JCC pool.) We do have some salt water pools and about an hour and a half into the country is the most gorgeous swimming river you could EVER imagine. It has springs that just move around. You have to know a local to know where they are at in any given season. And I swear the pebbles are rainbow colored. And the lushness of this place, its lusher than hawaii. No joke. You cannot stop the plant life here. Its surely in charge. And we have wild parrots up in the taller palms and woodpeckers and some other wildlife here and there. Ten minutes out of course there is a ton of wildlife.
We have lots of fab second-hand clothing shops and some baby shops with all organic gear. We have a silly number of spas,its true. We have one single screen movie theatre, one that is a dinner movie theatre, and lots of big box in the burbs. And as for foodiness, well, there’s a huge array and since we had a storm a few years back, it has gone so locavore and so much more varied. I guess people left town and got some new ideas and…its awesome. The way this city grows and shifts, slow but sure is awesome. I feel like i have enough options but not too many and they come at a perfect pace. Its unreal. This city is THE master of pace. And I am surely one of its students.
We do have a yearly veggie fest, with some raw, and a monthly raw potluck with awesome jazz on hand as well as a lot of love! Also, great theatre and awesome yoga.
And we have amazing locavore culture going on, even though most folks don’t realize it. Its growing these last five years so much. If I hadn’t of gone high raw after all those years as an organics freak, I would actually be normal by now! We are allowed to keep chickens but not roosters, due to the whole neighborhood wake up clock factor. I remember ten years ago someone had a rooster in my hood, but now they’d probably ticket that person. I do wish we could have roosters. My neighbor has a bee hive and we live so close, my family and I can watch her tend the hive from our upstairs window. She also has an avocado tree that, after years of just hanging out, decided to start majorly fruiting — into our yard! Well, we are nice and we bring bunches of them to her
I used to travel. A lot. For months at a time sometimes. Now, I have not been in a plane in nearly seven years (I am against them, except much much more limited use.)I am telling you, this city cured my travel bug. Sure, I go to the beach and the mountains and to family sometimes, but…home is so good. And I no longer feel I have got to know much of what is happening everywhere else. This town has made me more native and tribal and simple. I did have the urge before, its true, and the awareness to have that as a goal, but…this town has nourished it into reality for me.
The air is warm and wet. People for some strange reason want dry. I always joke that I can have “all the dirty water I want.” But we thoroughly filter it and…there is great luxury in being an environmentalist who doesn’t really need much to focus on water conservation around the house or garden. And wet air of course brings such good skin.
We also have an awesome number of nationalities here, sometimes just all mixed up and sometimes living in certain communities and neighborhoods. Its fun to venture there for alternate food experiences. Of course, with all the food trucks around, sometimes they come to you. Being raw, I don’t partake that much. But I like the visual flavor somehow. And its not too much. Again, it flows with the pace of things. Yes, we are generally slow to make changes but when we make them, we make good ones and we usually stick to it. How awesome is that!
We do have the potential for bad summer storms but they are always predictable and you can just leave if you feel unsafe. So, while stuff can be at risk, life is safe. And that is safer as far as I’m concerned than those quake places. There is, although its hard, something spiritually….magnificent, about stuff being at risk but life being protected. It…the houses here are old and often not insulated and…sometimes I feel like I am in a a natural shelter like an animal would build, only its the human animal. Everyone feels the weather some inside — and i have grown to like that. It feels natural and real. I do wish public places would tone down the ac–goodness!
Even the storm experience, has so much beauty and truth, its amazing. And again, like an animal, we have come to know intimately that our shelters and our stuff are temporary and it is the adventure of being involved in it all that we must most deeply cherish. I myself have been lucky to have my house safe — but we thought ahead (ok, my husband thought and i just kind of intuited) but I too have felt the winds, in ways that I can only call good, however hard they have been. You do have to have your act together here. Or else, its not easy. But you don’t have to do it overnight.
Oh but we are materialistic. Just not crazily so. There is something so materialistically abundant about experiencing life here — i think we are mimicking the lush plantlife somehow and its…delicious.
Well, we could use some good natural pest control people to do business here.
And we do have poverty. But…its a better place to be poor than many places and there is tons of community in the poor communities and even community gardens.
I love that there is city convenience but not so much razzle dazzle that I am swayed out of the purity of my own kitchen more than for a flourish here and there.
Oh, and we have one of the most dynamic charter school set ups in the nation. You would not believe the rich diversity of schools here! They are a few years out from being fully there and of course they could use more cash (and full spectrum lighting!) but…wonderful.
It is true we don’t have mountains. But that’s what summer homes are for. Or summer camping trips. And there is something….intimate about a flatland city surrounded by bayous that makes those of us that live here somehow just unable to consider any other place on earth. I guess you could say I like the place.
Thanks for prompting me to express this! And for all that you do.
12:13 am on March 29th, 2011
I recently moved to Santa Monica california…looking for work, new beginnings, and good weather. I like it in cities, tho wouldn’t mind living out in the country. The only problem is I am currently single and get lonely much too easily.
So here in the city i wait and seek, until i find that someone looking to escape/arrive in the same way.
Until then…the beach is nice and the farmers markets are abundant.
5:54 am on March 29th, 2011
I live in a small city in Texas. We live in a neighborhood, but have a small garden out in the back yard.
7:31 am on March 29th, 2011
We are in Northwestern Wi. We live on 170 acres where grow a several acre garden, raise dairy goats & pastured cattle & poultry(no were not vegetarians). We also homeschool, homebirth, homestead & homechurch. Before moving here we were living in ABQ NM. We learned quickly that its not about living were theirs good weather, its more about feeling safe, being self sufficent & living with nature. The town we live in has under 500 people; one grocery store,a library, bank & feedmill.It’s like we went back in time 40 years. Most of our teachings come from the internet, interloan library & hands on. Yes, it’s cold up here(we still have snow). But, where else can you buy land for less then $1,000 a acres? Will take the country over, any conveniences of the city
8:09 am on March 29th, 2011
In addition to what I wrote above, my family is here. I guess that for any other place to really be home, I’d have to convince them all to move along with me.
I love that I can have animals and a garden here, that I have neighbors, and that I can shop without driving 3+ hours to get to Target or the mall. I also love the variety of local food available in this particular area: farmers markets in the summer, raw honey & grass-fed animal products all year, and now even a wintertime organic CSA! That is a big deal when you live where the winter is cold & snowy.
RealSalt and Ormus Supergreens also originate from a couple of hours away. I am very grateful!
I grew up in the country (ish) on a 3-acre lot with a garden & animals (goats, chickens, turkeys, sheep, rabbits, pigeons, etc.). We rode our bikes or walked, other than riding the bus to school and driving to church (although we sometimes walked to church, too, if we got ready in time). I collected Barbies, but I didn’t like playing with them. We mostly played outside – climbing trees, hanging out with the animals (ours or other people’s), playing tag or hide & seek or whatever else with all the neighborhood kids, exploring, riding my friend’s horses, wading and catching snakes (& even fish sometimes) in the ditch/canal across the street…I’ve also lived in cities, with Berkeley being the biggest and my favorite. I liked the diversity of people and activities, and I liked being within walking distance of so many places, but I think I only stayed sane because I was near the bay and the flowers that people grew in their yards there made up some of what I missed by not being out in nature.
I think the ideal for me would be to have about 20 acres and be a lot more self-reliant with my food & other resources (some solar, grow my own firewood for heat, etc.) but to live about an hour from the city.
8:16 am on March 29th, 2011
In your list of gems around the US, you missed out the most awsome place of all for organic, raw, vegan and wholefoods – New York City. I have visited on numerous ocassions and it is where I would live if I could (I’m British, so can’t live there).
Also, what you say about food being easier to find in teh country is totally untrue in the UK. If you live out in teh country in most parts of the UK, you would have to drive to the nearest town or city and have to shop in one of the big supermarkets. The UK is sadly lacking in farmer’s markets, health food stores, vegan restaurants, etc. There are some good place, but they are few and far between.
I don’t even need to make a list for this choice. The countryside is great for a day out but I’m a city person at heart. There’s so much to see and do that you are never bored.
8:45 am on March 29th, 2011
Have lived in a city (NYC) and in more small town area’s. City people like proximity to everything, shopping, nightlife, restaurants, classes, schools, but with that comes the noise, traffic, pollution, lack of peace and quiet,crime…
Am definitely a country person preferring the peace and quiet, dark skies, space, land, garden, private country roads, trails, mountains, lakes, rivers, fresh air, no contest here!. I am not in the country right now but there are deer, turkey, rabbits, foxes, turtles where I live, but still traffic. Am manifesting a country home and 25 acres to live on. I believe in self-reliance, preparedness and having a clean source of well water and home-grown food.
As #17 pointed out the weather changes and the USA will have its’ massive share in the next few years; earthquakes and tsunami’s among them. From available readings it is quite clear that severe weather, lack of electricity, and food shortages will create huge crime waves in cities (and packed urban areas) and drive almost all people OUT of the cities after 2012 and up to 2015. My suggestion is to prepare in the next year and get a place in the country (and probably out of CA. as well..earthquakes) namaste’, rachel.
8:48 am on March 29th, 2011
I have lived in large cities in the US and overseas. I do enjoy cultural events and nature. I think the best setup is close to a city with cultural events and other like minded people, but in the country close by with at least a couple of acres. If a crisis of some sort happens in the US, having some land is the best option. Studies have shown that large places like NY city would be the hardest hit for people to find food and water in a crisis.
A small community with like minded spirits is Asheville, NC. It has fresh markets, culture, yoga, vegan, vegetarian and macrobiotic restuarants. It has won many accolades with one being the “Best Place to Fly Your Freak Flag”. Also, if you want more culture, Charlotte and Atlanta are close by. Greenville, SC is also close, which has access to a lot of theater, opera and symphony. The only prblem is BYOJ (bring your own job) is what the locals say. Jobs are hard to find in Asheville and homes are more expensive, compared to the rest of NC.
Another small city is Athens, GA, that has a lot of progressive spirits, yoga, etc. I really like Austin, but it is larger.
8:54 am on March 29th, 2011
Wow we are so fortunate to have so many choices. Experiencing life through different avenues and confirming that home is always in the heart. We live in a small city (around 500 people)that allows us to have a community sense on a small scale. We are just outside of a city with lots of art and several farmers markets. The 7 to 10 mile trek into town allows us the freeway or the country roads with deer, turkey, horses, cows, chickens, goats, birds and a small lake that hosts eagles during the winter and farmland to appreciate the scenery. It’s so nice to drive the country road for there is a park to enjoy by the lake. We have the convenience of the city and the feel of the country. More of our local grocery stores are carrying organic so during the winter we can get greens this way. We have several health food stores that buy local organic as well as organic products from abroad. Having a DVR helps me do yoga & pilates at home. I haven’t found a place that fits my physical needs. So for those country people this is a great options when the weather is inclement. Lots of DVD’s for different exercise options. I enjoy going into town to see the architecture and experiencing life at a different pace. We have lived in big cities and suburbs and my folks lived on a farm on a fire tower road in the middle of the Ottawa National Forest. Which for me is just to far out. Still have the farm if anyone is interested. I find the halfway mark is good for the soul. The drive to and from the city relaxes us on the way home. We can walk safely around our community and it’s a 4 mile treak up and down hills. People are friendly and life is a blessing. Being happy is what it’s all about. Thanks for letting us share. Love that Johnny 5 is keeping it real for you Kev. Love and Gratitude.
9:04 am on March 29th, 2011
Country for me too! You are making me jealous talking about walking everywhere and biking etc. I live on Long Island in NY I agree with the person who said rual and city settings here as well. We can live in a town like Bayport or Greenport and walk everywhere or you can live by farms or you can live where you have to have a car to get around. Plenty of organic farms/foods but you have to drive unless you live out East or have a Whole Foods or Wild By Nature nearby. My pick would be suburbs in a tightly walkable bikeable town…oh yeah and in Bayport you could walk to do most of your errands…and bike to get organic foods and soon GF foods too at 2 nearby new shops! The city makes me nervous and I feel like everyone is bumping into me just too many people!
Toni
9:49 am on March 29th, 2011
flora, where exactly do you live? don’t remember seeing that mentioned. thanks.
10:26 am on March 29th, 2011
L.A! We have 100s of farmers markets, and many vegan & raw restaurants. Even some high- end restaurants use organic, local food. We have mountains, the beach,art, music, and many opportunities for exercise, inside and outside. Hiking, biking and the best yoga teachers. Re a community, well.. big cities can be lonely places if you don’t pursue it. And we have something you will rarely get in the Bay area- sunshine!
10:46 am on March 29th, 2011
I love hearing about where you live and your experiences. You guys are awesome. I have always been raised on a couple acres in a rural area but always just minutes from a good sized city. Where we live now is ideal for us, We live in a small community in Utah where everyone around us has at least an acre or more. We don’t have neighbors on top of and I love that! Everyone raises their own garden. We live within min. of a fabulous health store that is also a fresh food market, and just min. from a big shopping center that has everything we need or want. Lots of trails and places to run and ride your bikes. I love to run/walk on trails where there are horses/ chickens and gardens to look at! We live just 45 min. from Salt Lake City and we can go to any theater or find anything a big city has to offer there and then go back home to the peace and quiet of country life. Big cities are fun to visit but I prefer the fresh air, less congestion and the friendliness of the people in more rural settings. If there were ever a diaster, our neighborhoods would pull together and help and support each other. That is a comforting thought. That is Something that would be hard to find in apartment living in a big city, at least from my experience. It is good we are not all alike, I am very happy for you two that you have found a place that suits the things you like. I hope you will be very happy there.
11:35 am on March 29th, 2011
I love, love, love living in the country. I cannot tollerate cities. I am way too sensitive to cities. I can’t even stand to visit them. I love growing my own garden. I love the peace and quiet. I love bike rides on country roads. I love the stary nights. I am surrounded by horses, goats, chickens, geese, dogs and cats. I have the most glorious view of the rocky mountains. The down side to living in the country is we are so far from everything. But it is worth it to me. I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.
12:23 pm on March 29th, 2011
My preference is to live on the “edge” between city and country. So the benefits of both, more or less, are available.
-Bob
12:31 pm on March 29th, 2011
I live in Berkeley too. I love it because I can bike to work; have fresh raw organic food a block away from my home; Cafe Gratitude and yoga close really close to home; farmers market 3 days a week and tons more of fun and exciting things to do!! Plus SF Bay Area people are the coolest!
I get a taste of country life when I go visit my raw vegan food boyfriend down the pennisula;)
1:18 pm on March 29th, 2011
Asheville, NC is having a vegfest.
Check it out on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002025777520
and their website:
http://www.ashevillevegfest.org
1:37 pm on March 29th, 2011
[...] We had a lot of great feedback from yesterday’s article on whether living in the city or the country is healthier. [...]
1:48 pm on March 29th, 2011
Thanks for your input! I live in the country on 40 acres in Oregon. Great place to live with our 5 daughters 5 yrs to 18 yrs. Grow a lot of our food. A lot of things to do. But we go to much. Spend to much on fuel, to get the social life we love. That is truly the only down side of living in the country to me.
2:00 pm on March 29th, 2011
I live on the east end of long island…pretty much the country especially in the winter!
My favorite things about my location are many many trails to walk on, beaches everywhere, and clean air (relative to NYC), and the ability to be truly alone and find silence. Dark at night.
The downside is I have to put a lot of miles on my car to get decent food in the winter, small pool of people to meet. Hard to find a job if you need one.
can’t argue with wendy and showering naked outdoor year-round though…I wanna live there!
flora, you realize you just wrote a novel, right?
peace, love, and food
6:14 pm on March 29th, 2011
I’ve lived in CT in the country, our family has a farm.I used to eat stuff off my lawn and out of the yard. I could be in NYC in an hour. Nice set up.
I have lived in the Bay Area for over 35 years. There is a lot here, you can get around without a car. The air could be cleaner here. My wish would be that it could rain every Wed night to clean it up especially in summer.
When I was back in CT for about six years I was really missing CA for the food, weather, and friends. The farm was only producing for five months a year. Our greenhouse in winter was used to grow plants for sale rather than food. Fuel is expensive on the east coast. I am so glad I will never have to pay another oil bill to heat my house. Berkeley is cool and a very diverse city. There are so many ethnic restaurants here. When you leave you realize what you have.
If you guys moved to Denver area you would be exposed to more radiation because of the altitude. Your geiger counter would be buzzing.
8:39 pm on March 29th, 2011
Flora.. will you please mention where it is you actually live? it sounds great.thanks!
9:45 pm on March 29th, 2011
Country, by far. I’m close enough to city if I wanted it, but love being around the cows, sheeps, trees and barns. And my little street is in the woods, and I love the wild turkey, deer and the night owl sounds through my window; the singing of the birds in the early morning. There’s nothing like what that does for my soul – along with seeing the trees for calming.
I agree about the violence; preparedness, looting etc of the city.
I don’t currently live ‘where’ I want to, nor ‘how’ I’d like to, but whereever I do, animals of all kinds are a big part of my ‘picture’ and my lifestyle must include them.
Thanks to Square Foot Gardening, I’m learning how to grow some things and loving it!
2:54 pm on March 30th, 2011
I live in the country. I love the space and the farmers market. I have gardens where I grow my own organic veggies and herbs, we have raspberries and rhubarb as well as gooseberries. I like the clean air. When I get out of my car after work it smells like camping at my house and I love it. We’ve been living here for 7 years and my stress level has gone down by about 95% compared to living in a noisy city. Our property is covered with trees that I love.
The only thing that worries me about country living is if you live near farms that spray pesticides or use GMOs.
7:17 am on March 31st, 2011
Thanks for sharing, Kevin & Anne-Maria.
My family’s faced the same dilemma for past 5-6 years. Hence we’ve been traveling around the world, visiting raw/vegan/vegetarians friends and communities.
I think the the best solution is living close to as many like-minded people as possible in the contry where can grow abundance of fruit and vegetables. The question is where? Anyone know the answer, please feel welcome to post here.
Blessings from Chang-yu