The Advantages Of Living In The Countryside

A quote from famed writer William Penn: "The country life is to be preferr'd; for there we see the works of God; but in cities little else but the works of men." For some, that best sums up the advantages of country living. But there are other perks.

If you like privacy, living in the country works well — particularly if your home is situated in a remote area and you don't have neighbors for miles. This also provides solitude.

The countryside is generally quiet and peaceful — certainly not as contaminated with toxic pollutants as the city. There isn't as much traffic or smog or pollution from industry. Ecologically speaking, the advantages to living in the country include eating locally grown food; less pollution because cars are not idling in traffic as happens in the city; and land on which to grow your own food and raise your own animals.

A pregnant woman who lives in the city is more apt to go into premature labor than a pregnant woman living in the country — particularly if the woman lives near a concentration of main roads and highways, notes Babyzone.com. Exposure to air pollution produced by car and truck emissions may trigger preterm labor. The loud noise of city traffic that prevents a pregnant woman from sleeping well at night may also be a contributing factor. Pregnant city dwellers' pregnancies were shortened by an average of 4.4 percent according to a study released in 2011 by Adrian G. Barnett, et al, called "Increased Traffic Exposure and Negative Birth Outcomes: A Prospective Cohort in Australia."

In the country, you have more space. If you want to build on your home, you have the room to do it. If you want to construct a shed or a barn or an art studio, you have the room. Space is at a premium in urban areas, which is not the case in the countryside. You can even have more kids than you would have had if you had stayed in your tiny city dwelling. Depending on where you live in the country, you can have mountain views, lake views, ocean views or pasture-like scenes right outside your door.

Outdoor aficionados may prefer the country because they have ready access to hiking, climbing, bike riding, camping, fishing, hunting and numerous places where you can do just about anything that you want without traveling somewhere else to do it. Step out your back door and you can be in or near a nature trail.