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Growing up in the shadow of New York City, I’ve been to the Big Apple more times than I can count. The hustle and bustle of ‘burb life shaped and molded who I am. When people talked of “the city,” I always assumed NYC. I’ve been to Philly, Vegas, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, DC, Atlanta, Orlando, San Diego and many more, but every city is a village compared to NYC.
In my old burb, the difference between towns was indistinguishable. In this forgotten land, dead shopping malls rise like mountains beyond mountains with no end in sight. It’s honestly a terrible existence, always in a rush, the hurry up and wait lifestyle. The property taxes alone would make your head spin and the “pay to play” mindset wasn’t my personal cup of tea, but it was all I knew.
After college, many of my friends (and likely many of you) flocked to the big city. Hell, my part time employer is in the fine city of Austin. I did the opposite. I did something that I never thought I’d do: I moved to the country and I haven’t looked back.
You see, with country living, life is much slower. Some people will hate it, but after being raised in the fast lane, not only do I have the advantage of my normal speed being faster than the average person, but it is less tasking on yourself to live where everyone moves as slow as molasses. I am at least 75% less stressed out not having to time my life around traffic patterns or be one shitty driver causing an accident away from being an hour late to work. People’s idea of “traffic” here is waiting for 15 minutes due to construction. It once took me three hours to make it from Yankee Stadium to the George Washington Bridge.
My commute in my former life was an hour and a half to go 50 miles. My commute now is 15 minutes to go five miles. Sure, I don’t make as much money, but my townhouse’s taxes are $450 a year. Living outside of city limits is awesome. Back home, my parents paid around $10,000 in property taxes for a small bi-level house in the burbs.
Don’t let the lesser wages fool you. While job availability may be less in country areas, the lower cost of life as well as wear and tear on your psyche make it way worth it. In the end, it usually balances out. If you can swing being in the country, I highly recommend it.
I’ve heard many arguments both for and against country living. The job hunt seems easier where there are more places of employment. A childhood friend of mine buses into and out of NYC every day, an astounding three hours of his day seated on a bus. The guy that used to work in my office moved to NYC. He pays over $1,000 a month to live in a shoebox. That kind of life just doesn’t seem appealing to me.
The idea came to me on the toilet, where many of my greatest ideas come from. Looking out the window, at beautiful sky, flora and fauna around the forest line, and hills that will soon be covered in wildflowers, I was pumped. Many people’s daily morning or evening bowel movement occurs in a tiny flat surrounded by skyscrapers in a shitter that is the same size a phone booth. To some, maybe that’s heaven. To me, I love looking out my front door seeing cows grazing. There is a certain serenity about being in nature and for me, that’s all I need.
Many times, people move out to the country later in life to escape the concrete jungle. Some people love being in the burbs and wear it as a proud patch on their arms. When we’re lucky, we even get esteemed burb connoisseur and renowned Mr. Bean doppelgänger Dillon Cheverere to explain some happenings in the world from the perspective of a white dad from the burbs.
To be fair, I’d say The Burbs is one of Tom Hank’s finest movies, but that’s a whole different story. Some of us are a little bit country, others rock and roll. The burbs keep growing and the country keeps shrinking. Technically, where I live is on the cusp of a burb and it frightens me. Sometimes I wonder if the world’s so small, can we ever get away from the sprawl?.
Image via Shutterstock
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Madoff
I specialize in damage control, being the drunkest at any and all functions and social assassination. Always appreciate a strong gif game. Follow me on Twitter. Sometimes I put up cool stuff about golfing at the local dirt tracks.
@BLMInvestment
It’s all a trade off. Having grown up in the country with nothing to do, especially for a single early 20’s male, I’m willing to be ripped off by outrageous rent in order to live in a place where there’s plenty of options for nightlife. Especially in a place like NYC.
Wait…You mean to tell me living in NYC isn’t exactly like an episodes of Friends or HIMYM? Too much real to handle on a Monday, man.
I get tired of NYC after being there for about 6 hours. Traffic, subways, way too many people. Almost sat in a subway chair with half a squished turd in it. Knowing someone sat in it before me really put what was important in my life into perspective
I live in the country and just buy a hotel or crash with a buddy when I go out in the city. It’s definitely not the same as having your own place there, but it’s better than $1000 a month to live in a crammed shoe box.
plenty of truth in here. just not lot of females if your a single dude. I go weeks at a time without seeing ass I’d go for.
Immediately thought of that Arcade Fire song while reading this. Great tune.
Totally agree. I put little bits of songs I like in a lot of stuff. It’s great live if you ever have the chance to see them.
They played a free show at the Target Center in Minneapolis a couple years ago, got super drunk the night before and gave my ticket to a friend who wasn’t hung over. Still pissed about it.
I put about 400 miles a week on my truck driving from where I live in the country to go to work or attend whatever social event, concert, etc is going on in the city/suburbs, but I don’t really mind at all. I have a big house for much less money, and I can spend all the time I want there when I want to be social and then come home to solitude and nice scenery when I’m tired of it.
I’ll agree with some of other posts though- the number one downfall is the lack of dating options. You wont believe this, but Farmers Only is not exactly full of attractive people who don’t like Florida Georgia Line or have traveled for something other than livestock shows.
Tell me about it. My best current option is a freshman in college who’s folks live 5 miles away from my place….. And her aunt and my uncle are married. At least she’s cute……
Sounds like a catch.
Tulsa isn’t a big city by any means compared to NYC, but after coming from a rural west Texas town I wasn’t a fan of it. I’m glad to be in a smaller town now and am looking into purchasing a few acres to put a house on in the next few years. Great article Madoff.
From the opposite perspective, grew up in the country and just moved to the city. 2.5/10, can’t wait to move back.
I grew up in a town of 200 people. Moved onto the farm after my grandparents died and am living in the house my great grandpa built. It is awesome being out in the middle of nowhere, especially when you can walk out the front door and be at your job. And you can drive around and shoot stuff and fuck aroun and no one cares. But there are definetely trade offs. Especially when you’re related to half of the whole 10 women in the area and there’s nothing to do but drink. At least there are 5 bars within 15 miles of me….
15 min commute for 5 miles. Still in the city there bud..
It’s the 30 MPH speed limits, 4 way stops and college kids. Nice effort though
College kids in the country? Holy shit you’re a real John Wayne.. GTFO
You’re from Bergen County aren’t you? Shadow of NYC, malls, generic towns, outrageous property taxes. Has to be Bergen County.
My first guess was Westchester
Not terribly far. I used to work up that way.
I’m from from just west of Newark and work in Fort Lee. This was really relatable. It’s snowing now so I’m looking at a 3-4 hour 23 mile commute.
I know the area, 9W, HIllsdale, Alpine very well. Awesome hiking on the Hudson.
Appalachia is rural, it’s not city but it isn’t country..
Ok