Pro & Contra
Looking for a rural escape?
A little house in the countryside is a lifelong dream for a lot of people. Others have a soft spot for the big city. Here, a village resident and a fan of Berlin share their perspectives.
Pro
is a freelance journalist and lives in a small town with a population of 6,500 in Baden-Württemberg.
Contra
works in marketing, lives in the capital and writes the blog <i>Berlin ick liebe dir</i>.
Is life better in the countryside?
You automatically have better quality of life in the countryside: less traffic, more contact with the natural environment, everything is decelerated and stress-free. And there’s more affordable living space, too. The most important things are usually not too far away – a supermarket, a pharmacy, a school or a nice café. Do we really need such a wide range of leisure and shopping options? By focusing on the essentials, life in the countryside encourages the much-touted “slow life” that city dwellers tend to seek out by going on retreats and things like that.
I’m often asked whether I could imagine living in the countryside or in a small town with a house and garden. I certainly like the idea – nature, peace, open space – but as soon as I give it more serious thought, I realise I’m a child of the city. I love a change now and then and I always like taking time to enjoy the peace and quiet of the great outdoors, but I’m equally happy strolling through the lively streets of Berlin-Friedrichshain. I just love having life in all its fullness right on my doorstep – that blend of movement, opportunities, retreat and diversity.
They say everyone knows everyone else in the countryside. Is that such a nice idea?
Community spirit and a sense of togetherness are stronger in the countryside than in the city – supported by a vibrant network of community associations. People help each other without out any fuss. Anonymity can invite crime, which is why I feel safer in the countryside. Who would rob someone they might bump into at the supermarket the next day? That closeness can have its downsides of course, such as if you don’t want the whole neighbourhood to notice every little change in your life. Still, the positives outweigh the negatives as far as I’m concerned.
That can certainly create a sense of connection – but being recognised and greeted everywhere is not necessarily for everyone. Sometimes I find the anonymity in Berlin difficult, but at the same time there are plenty of ways to connect. When I’m out and about with my dog, it’s rare for me not to have at least a brief chat with somebody along the way. In a city you can actively choose who you engage with: you can stay anonymous or get involved, just as you wish. There’s a huge range of possibilities, and I see this freedom of choice as a real benefit.
Less noise, cleaner air – shouldn’t everyone move to the countryside if they care about their health?
There are a lot of factors that influence health, of course. If you live in the countryside but have an unhealthy lifestyle overall, you’re unlikely to benefit much. But rural life offers a lot of things that you have to seek out or recreate artificially in the city – peace, fresh air, contact with nature and wildlife. It’s good for both body and soul.
There’s no doubt that the air quality is better in the countryside, and life is healthier. But even in cities – especially in Berlin, one of the greenest large cities in Europe – there are plenty of places to retreat to like parks, woods, riverside paths and lakes. They may not be quite as quiet or clean, but they’re there. It’s all a question of balance. I regularly go outdoors. I live right next to Volkspark Friedrichshain and often cycle to Brandenburg. I’ve learned how to find my peaceful spots – and there are more of them here than you might think.
The bus only runs once an hour, and the nearest bakery is miles away – rural infrastructure isn’t exactly convenient, is it?
Yes, you do have to give up a bit in terms of convenience. But a lot of local authorities offer practical solutions to fill certain gaps – on-demand taxis, for example, or food vending machines stocked by local farmers. Getting used to not having everything available around the clock encourages more conscious planning and commitment. If the bus only comes once an hour, you have to stick to your plans.
That’s exactly why I appreciate life in the city. When I leave Berlin, I usually have to make to with a poorer infrastructure. When I’m in Berlin I can get around even without a car. Public transport runs regularly – sometimes every five minutes, day and night. Everything is always available. Whether that’s really something to aspire to is another question, but I just like it. The famous late-night shops stay open well into the night, and numerous delivery services make life easier.
Cinema, theatre, museums – cultural life mainly happens in cities. Surely that’s a pretty strong argument in favour of urban life.
The answer isn’t to give everything up – it’s to adapt how often you access it. You can always go into town to see a particular concert or play. It takes a bit more effort of course. But do city-dwellers really go to a museum every week? It’s often the case that things don’t necessarily get used, despite constant availability. An overwhelming range of options can lead to inaction. By contrast, people in the countryside experience culture less often but more intensely. And besides, some of the best parties happen in villages.
I love having everything in one place. Berlin offers an incredibly broad cultural scene – from international exhibitions to small theatres, from concerts to readings. Culture isn’t the exception here – it’s part of everyday life. For a lot of Berliners, that’s exactly why they live in the city.
