I lived on the South side of Chicago until age 12. My dad retired. The parents put an addition on the vacation home and there we lived...town of 200 people. I had an awful time adjusting on the cusp of 13. Really, I never adjusted, just adapted.

Terrible...I can never ever live in a town that small. I dislike it so much. While there is a lot to be said of the way people really stick together in that type of community, I need more people around me, regardless if said people give a fuck about me or not.

I have lived in a small town before, a lot of my relatives in the South live in the 'country'.....but it's really not for me. I'm too young for that. I need to be in or near a big city. And it doesn't have to be NYC big in general....just big enough to have some type of constant action. I've actually been looking to move to upstate New York to get away from the hustle and bustle a little bit, but not be too far from the city.....like Rockland, Orange or Putnam county.

Ny, your post surprised me. I thought you were totally into being always in NYC.

Nystyle709 wrote:

10 years ago, that would've been totally me. New York City or nothing. But I'm getting older and as much I love the city, I also hate it somewhat equally. It's changed a lot from when I was growing up and because I've grown up in it, I wouldn't mind seeing something new. That's why I tried to live South a few years ago.....but I eventually came back. I can accept just being near here, but not actually living in the five boroughs now that I am older. I want to go someplace where I can get more for my money.

Pretty amazing what our younger selves want vs. our a bit older selves, eh? I have become more realistic about Chicago and the areas I would be comfortable living in. The burbs are safest, and I think about that a lot.

HUGE reality check last April when I went to my old neighborhood. It is really not safe at all anymore.

No, I can't see living in a secluded area, where you have to 'drive into town.' I like the activity, the crowds, the stores and the busy atmosphere of city life. Even if I don't always throw myself in the midst of it, I like knowing it's there.

I'll also say I'd like to live on a bit of land, just outside the city. For my kids sake, I'd wanna be close enough to their friends' places that they can walk over to hang out with them and I want the convenience of shopping, work, school, etc close by. But the open space, night sky and dark nights of the country is unbeatable.

Shale wrote:

I have and I would if not for the prejudicial, narrow minded peasants that usually inhabit such places.

Ah, my reasons for avoiding the city exactly!

Rural has smarter people usually but I think it's more a visiting place for me. I'd try to compromise and go suburban.

I would love to live in the California desert area, its not congested with cars and people its basically warm all year long and the people are very friendly.

Forgiveness_Man wrote:

Ah, my reasons for avoiding the city exactly! xD

Oh there are prejudicial, narrow minded peasants in the big cities. Lots of 'em. Enuf to populate small towns.

But their influence is diluted by the larger number of cosmopolitan ppl around them and they don't get to force their narrow views on the majority. Hence the nightlife if you want it (lots of young ppl come here for that) or the clothing optional beach if you want it (lots of old Canadians come here for that).

Shale wrote:

Oh there are prejudicial, narrow minded peasants in the big cities. Lots of 'em. Enuf to populate small towns.

But their influence is diluted by the larger number of cosmopolitan ppl around them and they don't get to force their narrow views on the majority. Hence the nightlife if you want it (lots of young ppl come here for that) or the clothing optional beach if you want it (lots of old Canadians come here for that).

Um, no. Their number isn't diluted, they are the majority in my experience. And they have even MORE chance to force their narrow views on the majority. They don't just give you the cold shoulder. I've found the city is much more narrow minded than the country, at least in my own experience. Maybe other cities are better, but not the one I live in.

Sorry, a night life and nude beaches don't signal being open minded at all. Just because some things rejected elsewhere are accepted doesn't mean that narrow minded people aren't the dominating force in cities.

Rural areas just are too far from everything for my taste. But they sure are fun to visit, especially for the cuisine.

The thing about living in a rural or secluded area is that it becomes too much of a hassle to give people directions, or to follow them if someone tries to them to you. All the tree's, twists and turns. Also like Chris said, I don't like the idea of shopping convenience being distant. I can imagine maybe having a second home in a more quiet, country area but I wouldn't be too keen on that being my primary residence.

I live in a rural area out in the country, and I like it quite a bit. It has a lot of advantages: no traffic jams, the quiet, very low in crime, etc. I like the city to visit, but only to visit.

By the way Shale, your posts are really sad - they're just showing how prejudiced you are. Who else would stereotype whole towns except for a prejudiced man?

That's pretty much what kind of place I'm living in now. Small town, part country part suburb, I like it though it could be better, but then again what couldn't?

Nah....I'd live in a quiet suburb, but definitely not the country side.

I would totally live in a remote area with acres of space and tranquility. Love the quiet and peace.

I think I would get bored in all that quiet and remoteness. I need to be around activity and people.