City
There’s a great many reasons why people have been migrating to cities for years. Great aspects of a country can be found in its main cities such as theatres and museums.
Good aspects of moving to a city can include the following:
Convenience
Transport
Depending on location, many places in a city are within walking distance. Further afield however, public transport is how a city runs: Paris has the Metro, London the Tube, Amsterdam, the tram. Venice even has water taxi boats!
Whilst parking can be expensive, it’s an excuse to use bicycles or local transport where most companies offer discounts and season passes.
Food and Shopping
Cities are the ideal place if you are looking to get a taste for the local restaurants. Shops too will be likely to offer a wider range of products. In both cases, some establishments are likely to have a delivery service which can fit into your own schedule.
International
Travel
If you are planning to explore your new country further after you move, cities are better suited for getting from place to place. Living in a city could mean you have easier access to
Airports
Euro Star
Railways
Ferry services
Healthcare
The quality of healthcare can vary from country to country and unlike the NHS, you may have to pay from some treatments. However, cities are generally the place where more specialist clinics and departments are set up. So if you have a particular health need it will be more convenient to live within reasonable travel distance to places that can help with them.
Possibly no language barrier
Due to most international business taking place in main and capital cities, there is generally a mixture of nationalities living the metropolitan life. Despite the local language, English is used across the world so it may be that you need not learn the language. Some countries use English more than others, especially those that get a lot of tourism.
Familiar surroundings
To a certain extent, it’s true that one city looks like another. Moving abroad is a life changing event, and even though it’s exciting, it can be comforting to have a few familiar surroundings. Even if aspects of public transport or shops are different, cities tend to rely on similar functions such as
International brands
Buses and trains
Shopping malls, restaurants and tourist information
Rural
Before there were, cities there was the countryside. Many times we can recall a country from their natural landscapes; Egypt has the pyramids, Italy has olive groves, France the Provence lavender fields.
There are great benefits to moving to a more rural area of your chosen country including some well earned peace and quiet, and a room with a view.
Good aspects of moving to a rural region include the following:
Quiet
Hobbies
Whilst city life can be invigorating, if you choose to live somewhere quieter, you might find you don’t have as many distractions. Sleeping at night can become easier without sirens or revellers out late on the weekend.
Without so much noise it can become easier to make time for hobbies you always wanted to take up, or get on with some work uninterrupted.
Well being
It’s been claimed that living in the countryside can be better for your health, including claims to lower stress and anxiety – possibly due to a lack of crowds, as well as being around greenery which benefits general health.
Authentic character
Living away from a city and its easy access lifestyle isn’t always bad.
If you live a little way from your nearest town it can be refreshing to get the bread, milk and paper in the morning – if you can walk there it’s good exercise, if you need a car it can help establish a routine of waking up the same time every day.
You will appreciate what you have from making a little – but not considerable – extra effort to have it.
Different aspects of the country
Tourists often make the mistake of judging a whole country on its cities. But there’s just as much to discover in rural regions:
Individual regions towns and villages will have their own customs for holidays and holy days
Accents and even languages can change depending on what district or province you move to
History is often told very broadly; there’s sure to be a number of stories to hear about your particular province – you probably haven’t heard all versions of history
Festivals local to certain areas are usually near and unique to that area and unlikely to be on anywhere else
Local life
It’s often claimed that people in the country are more friendly than city dwellers. This makes good sense. After all, in an area where you have a go further to get to supermarkets and shopping malls, it’s good to be able to borrow a pan from a neighbour when the need arises!
Local life is every bit as vibrant in the countryside as in the city, arguably more so for seeing the same people day to day and building lasting friendships with them.
Food is more likely to be home cooked – local recipes will definitely be around to learn from
From local brewing to growing grapes for wine, you’re likely to appreciate where your food and drink comes from if you’re in an area where it is grown
Local community is often highly valued in rural areas – you’re bound to find a group or event to suit your interests
More often than in urban areas, produce is likely to be locally grown and produced, and therefore of better quality. You might even be able to grow your own food!
Conclusion
There are both positive and negative aspects to living in cities or rural areas. The good news is that most expats moving abroad are looking for a comfortable house with access to both interesting and events and local culture. Both of these can be found in cities and the countryside in different ways.
It’s important to find what works best for you and your interests. And whichever place you decide to live in, you can always explore other parts of the country in your own time.