Five reasons you should live in the countryside

In the UK, thousands of homeowners are exchanging life in the city for a new one in the countryside. There are a number of factors driving this trend, some of which are easy to quantify. For example, according to government data, life expectancy is slightly higher in rural areas. This is thanks to a range of factors, most of them socio-economic.

One potential downside is the availability of housing. Almost by definition, the majority of new homes will go up in cities. Despite this, for most, life in the country will hold a tangible appeal.

Let’s take a look at some of the best reasons to move to the countryside.

Clean Air

While parkland and clean air zones have helped to make the air in the city more breathable, the fact is that the air in the countryside is massively cleaner. The absence of dense traffic, factories and other sources of air pollution makes it easier to breathe, which in turn can lower your risk of suffering from respiratory illness. In particular, air pollution is thought to drive asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Mental Health

Rural life tends to unfold at a slower pace. This places less stress on the people living it. People in rural areas tend to also enjoy a stronger sense of community, which has massive mental health benefits. While you might find yourself surrounded by people in a large town or city, the chances are good that they’ll all be strangers to you. In a small village, by contrast, you’ll end up knowing everyone by name.

Human beings, and the human brain in particular, have adapted to deal with close-knit village communities. Big cities are a relatively recent phenomenon. Thus, it’s probably no surprise that we cope better in these settings.

Crime

Rates of crime tend to be much lower in the countryside. Since the buildings are spread out over a greater distance, there tend to be fewer opportunities for crime to occur. Thus, you’re less likely to fall victim to burglary – which isn’t to say that you shouldn’t take home security seriously.

Nature

If you’re in the countryside, then you’ll probably find yourself surrounded by greenery for much of the year. This means plenty of opportunity for physical activity, and simply taking a stroll through the woods. This confers enormous health advantages, of both the physical and mental kind.

Telecommuting

Of course, one thing that’s helped to drive city-dwellers out into the country is that, since the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s become possible to work remotely. One thing to watch out for here is the quality of your internet connection.