Many urban and suburban people have this idyllic image in their minds when they think about rural living. Vast fields of wildflowers, a large wooden barn, and maybe some goats bleating nearby are just a few of the over-romanticized scenes that come to mind.

Most folk don’t even begin to consider that living a rural life isn’t always flowers, bee hives, and an abundance of fresh food. No one ever thinks about all of the hard work and sweat equity that goes into maintaining a life in a rural community. Urbanites tend to take for granted the amenities and large variety of things and businesses they have readily accessible to them.

Lots of rural folks have a long journey ahead of them to gain access to some things that many urban inhabitants take for granted, like veterinarians and hospitals. Rural people face many hardships that the rest of the population never considers. This article will take a deeper look at the over-romanticization of rural living and what’s fueling it.

What is Rural Living?

Rural living simply means that you live in a rural area, the countryside, or an agricultural area where the population is considerably less dense than an urban area. There’s plenty of land to stretch out on, but not a lot of people to share it with.

It’s great for some, and not so great for others. Things that get taken for granted like having a reliable wifi or cellular signal are often a problem here and require a home signal booster to rectify. The lack of fast and easy access to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues is another thing people take for granted.

Most people living in rural communities are familiar with one another and there’s not a lot to hide behind like in more urban areas. Rural living is attractive on the outside, but there is another side to the coin that must be considered if you’re seriously considering making a geographical shift.

What Drives the Over-Romanticizing?

The draw of this pastoral way of life has been idealized in books, television, and on social media. It looks so peaceful and serene. The idea of wide open spaces, picturesque views, growing your own food, raising chickens and goats, and being more self-sufficient is appealing to many folks who just want to live a slower and simpler life.

But too many people don’t know what a slow and simple life truly means. They have no clue what kind of hardships rural dwellers endure regularly. Remember, there is a reason so many people left the country to come to live in urban centers. While many former rural dwellers have fond memories of living in the country, they are still current urbanites.

Another idea that adds to the romanticizing is that country living gives you a slower-paced life where you have time to relax, read a good book, watch the sunset over rolling hills, or be free from the pressures of life. Again, this is not the truth.

Anyone anywhere can slow down and enjoy some of the simple things in life when they choose to make time for the simple things in life. People who live in rural areas work hard and are no more free from the pressures of life than anyone else. Sunsets may be more noticeable in the country because there are fewer obstructions, but the idea that those who live in the countryside have time to sit and take in sunsets every day is a fallacy.

These ideas offer a distorted view of reality. It’s cute to hold in your mind a wholesome and hard-working farmer, but the reality for many is rural poverty. Far too many farmers and rural inhabitants are struggling to make ends meet.

They’re forced to rely on government assistance to sustain themselves and their families despite their hard work. The nostalgia of the past is driving people to overlook the troubles the real rural communities are facing. While there are plenty of wonderful things about living a more rural life, they should not be played up in ways that completely ignore the real plight of those who live there.

Advantages of Rural Living

There are a lot of bright spots in rural living. Privacy is one of the biggest draws for people. Because homes tend to be further apart, you don’t feel like somebody’s always watching you. There’s little worry about someone watching you run to your car in your underwear to get something you forgot.

You don’t have to close your curtains just to change clothes when there’s no one around to look through your window. While having neighbors is nice enough, their weekend family gatherings won’t be a problem when they’re an acre or three away.

Love animals? Then you’ll enjoy being proximal to different woodland creatures like deer, rabbits, foxes, and others. If you’ve wanted to raise chickens, goats, or llamas even, you’re freer to do so if you have the means.

And you can have more pets as well. You can also live off the land more than is possible in urban settings. You can have a sprawling garden filled with your favorite veggies and even some fruit and nut trees if you like. All of this space is also less stimulating to your nervous system. With fewer roads, less traffic, and fewer bodies milling about, the atmosphere seems more peaceful and can help reduce stress in some ways.

Disadvantages of Rural Living

Some people feel more isolated in the country. It’s not as convenient to ask a neighbor to lend you a cup of sugar or to watch your house while you’re out of town for the week. Fewer neighbors nearby can really make you feel like you’re all alone.

And while the woodland creatures are lovely to observe, they can also be a pain. They’re even more interested in your livestock and garden than you are. You’ll have less access to just about everything and will need to plan your trips into urban centers carefully to make sure you stock up on supplies. Lastly is the commute. If you’re unable to find a job proximal to your home, you’re going to have to commute quite a ways.

This can become quite complicated in the winter months depending on your area. As already noted, wifi, cellular signals, and cable services can be very spotty, leaving you feeling exposed and removed from current events and emergency assistance if you ever need it.

A lot of wonderful things can be said for rural living. But they should not seek to replace the reality of country living. There are real disadvantages to living a more rural life and a lot of issues that come with it. It’s better to take a step back and look at the broader picture if you’re considering relocating to a more rural area. You want to make an informed decision that is based on reality and not an idyllic, nostalgic notion.