Escaping to the countryside?

CelticRambler

OneEightSeven wrote: »

The problem with people living rurally is they want the same services as urbanites do.

Nekarsulm wrote: »

The thing is, a lot of the infrastructure is long ago paid for.

Nekarsulm wrote: »

An interesting point from Greyfox.
The requirement to have your own transport and the on-going cost of it is a burden which can be eliminated from the city dwellers budget.
Although they will have to plan their workplace etc in accordance with existing bus and tram/train routes.

This particular point highlights a couple of aspects of the urban vs. rural argument that makes a nonsense of widely held beliefs. As Nekarsulm says, as far as transport goes, the infrastructure (i.e. road) was long since paid for, and as a country-dweller, your expectations are limited to using your own vehicle on that road. Back in the city, the transport infrastructure is being renewed and
upgraded constantly. Metro North, anyone? Who's going to be paying for that? Well, rural taxpayers will be chipping in with their couple of euro like everyone in Dublin, whether they like it or not - the very definition of subsidy. :pac:

Also, the "pro-city" side tend to cite travel times that are frequently quite optimistic, and even if realistic under some circumstances are only so because that person has local knowledge and adapted their lifestyle to the local conditions. "I can be in the mountains in 15 minutes" might well be true when you've already bought a car, or when you know that the bus passes at 7 minutes past the hour, or that there's no point even trying to get out of the estate between 7.23 and 9.07am ... If you don't have that advantage, things can be very different; living and travelling in the countryside only means adapting to different circumstances.

Edgware

Oasis1974 wrote: »

Wasn't there a house recently on Daft located in the countryside. The most amazing thing I ever saw the lavatory was in a little shed outside the house itself? Apparently it was done on purpose not sure I'd believe that.

This week I've been eating prunes

John_Rambo

Snow Garden wrote: »

I already summarised the commuting statistics for you yesterday. Here you go (for the 3rd time now);

Dublin and surrounding counties take the top 7 places. Fingal, Dun Laoighare, South Dublin and Dublin City were 4th, 6th, 7th and 9th. So who is spending
most of their time sitting in traffic?

The 12 towns with the highest % of workers doing a > 1 hour commute were all in Leinster.

That's very interesting. But the fact remains (or the third time) if my family moved rural we'd spend more time in cars commuting to and from work! So, with the thread title being "Escape to the countryside"... we considered as we have the option of gifted land (through my wife's family) and said no! To much times spent in the cars, we'd prefer the more active, healthier options.

That's why we choose to live coastal suburban. This affects you positively! Healthy families are less of a burden on the tax payer!

So don't get worked up about it

John_Rambo

John_Rambo wrote: »

That's very interesting. But the fact remains (or the third time) if my family moved rural we'd spend more time in cars commuting to and from work! So, with the thread title being "Escape to the countryside"... we considered as we have the option of gifted land (through my wife's family) and said no! To much times spent in the cars, we'd prefer the more active, healthier options.

That's why we choose to live coastal suburban. This affects you positively! Healthy families are less of a burden on the tax payer!

So don't get worked up about it

More nonsense about “healthy families” who live in cities. Rural living is far healthier. Most people prefer to drive everywhere also rather than having to cycle or use public transport and driving places is much nicer and easier in the county than across cities.

I can step outside the house and drive right to the door of work on the outskirts of the city in 30 mins, literally the door (I can touch the door of work with one hand and the car with the other....that close). No getting wet, no unnecessary effort in getting to from work, alone in the car so no having people around me like on a bus etc etc. Arrive home at night and no looking for parking, no avoiding kids playing on the road park up with space around for 10 cars if I wanted (into the garage I’ll be going when I build my multi car garage).

gozunda

Anakin Nutritious Trend wrote: »

More nonsense about “healthy families” who live in cities. Rural living is far healthier. Most people prefer to drive everywhere also rather than having to cycle or use public transport and driving places is much nicer and easier in the county than across cities.

I think the same poster was on about helping out / working in the countryside for some farmer. Maybe he cycles from the city to the countryside to get some fresh air?

John_Rambo

Anakin Nutritious Trend wrote: »

More nonsense about “healthy families” who live in cities. Rural living is far healthier. Most people prefer to drive everywhere also rather than having to cycle or use public transport and driving places is much nicer and easier in the county than across cities.

We could drive everywhere, but that would be silly. Cycling for me is quicker than driving, we've good cycling lanes and cycling is healthier than driving, even you know this, it's not a nonsense, it's a scientific fact.

We do use the cars for shopping and other stuff, but the commute is bumper to bumper single occupant cars. I cycle past them all sitting in their cars staring at their phones every morning and every afternoon... If the weather is particularly dire I'll get the DART and still be in work before I would if I drove.

It's a no-brainer and shouldn't bother you in the slightest.

gozunda wrote: »

I think the same poster was on about helping out / working in the countryside for some farmer. Maybe he cycles from the city to the countryside to get some fresh air?

I help out on friends farms when I visit. We do drive though, they're both too far to cycle to and it's part of our staycation holidays. We get plenty of fresh air every day.

John_Rambo

Anakin Nutritious Trend wrote: »

I can step outside the house and drive right to the door of work on the outskirts of the city in 30 mins, literally the door (I can touch the door of work with one hand and the car with the other....that close). No getting wet, no unnecessary effort in getting to from work, alone in the car so no having people around me like on a bus etc etc. Arrive home at night and no looking for parking, no avoiding kids playing on the road park up with space around for 10 cars if I wanted (into the garage I’ll be going when I build my multi car garage).

You've edited your post. I have free parking in work and room for multiple cars in the (actual existing and not imaginary) driveway, I'd probably make it in and out in less that half an hour, so no issues there. But I still cycle. It's a choice I make that shouldn't bother you in the slightest.

Spanish Eyes

Think of the children. Mam and Dads taxi for seventeen odd years and more until they get their own driving license. OMG.

That in itself would kill me being a ferrying service because there is NO alternative rurally really. Your own life is curtailed.

I do realise that this kind of thing happens in urban areas too, but as the kids get older, there are alternatives. And it teaches kids to be independent too.

Anyway, the transition for rurals to the city is just as traumatic as the vice versa.

Difficult to adjust to what you are NOT used to, but many have done it.

I personally could not live rurally. No doubt many would not live in a city or town either.

Thelonious Monk

In fairness Rambo, you’re lucky you can afford to live where you do. The problem now is no one can afford to live anywhere near the coast or the dart so they have to move to outer suburbs etc where the public transport isn’t great and takes a good while to get to centre. A lot of people wouldn’t escape to the countryside if they could afford to live where you do. Having to bus it in from citywest or swords would be as hellish for me as driving all the time in the country.

LETHAL LADY

Unfortunately, my hometown has escapees (relocated and recently given special ethnic status ) with a penchant for peddling heroin.
A small population, with **** all services mind you, now has a heroin problem and all the crap that goes with it.
Rural life isn't the panacea some might think.

jimbobaloobob

Living very rural. I don't see any of the effects of crime or addiction thankfully but maybe i'm not opening my eyes to it.


While its cheaper rent wise. Transportation, shops, fuel etc all cost more.
The time spent traveling to things is also a drawback i find at times from doing things.

Eggs For Dinner

Sitting in my one-off house with a cup of coffee at 7.30. Lovely morning and the dog knows it. No way I'm getting out of hear without bringing him out for a walk in the fields to find out what the rabbits have been up to. After that, it will be a shower, shave and chat with Mrs Eggs before I head out the door for work at 8.40. I'll be at my desk with a coffee, logged on and ready for a action at 9. I finish at 5 and will be home at 5.20 ( going home traffic can be mental)

Yes, there are downsides to country living, but I couldn't hack adding hours of commuting to my working week

listermint

I think this thread has demonstrated that everyone is different.

And it would be really boring if we were all one homogeneous group

It would be really crap if everyone lived together in the city and it would be really crap if everyone lived rurally.

Balance is great.

Ush1

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

In fairness Rambo, you’re lucky you can afford to live where you do. The problem now is no one can afford to live anywhere near the coast or the dart so they have to move to outer suburbs etc where the public transport isn’t great and takes a good while to get to centre. A lot of people wouldn’t escape to the countryside if they could afford to live where you do. Having to bus it in from citywest or swords would be as hellish for me as driving all the time in the country.

Well from Citywest you have the luas and also a big number of businesses you could work in based in Citywest itself.

Just because you live in Dublin doesn't mean you have to work in the city centre.

sk8erboii

sk8erboii wrote: »

I get it y'all. You cant stand conflict, never could. That's why when you're brought to a place thats all about competition (for money, for pussy, for fame) you just cant hack it.

Truth is, you're never gonna make it. Never will. You might aswell lay down and surrender (Go to the countryside and be alone so no one can hurt your fee fees).

You cant hack it in the arena. Here in Dublin, its a young man's game. The worn and tired slink away quietly to moldy pubs to complain about whoever they cant fight (Liberals? Immigrants? Feminists).

Thats what you are. Worn. You used to be a sharp knife. But you lost your edge. This is the time of our lives and your death.

Dublin is crawling with tracksuit clad scumbags. What is that all about. I don't see the same thing in other cities.

Cina

Lived and studied/worked in Dublin since I was 17 (apart from a few stints abroad). I'd say for college and your twenties it's much better than being in the schticks, so much more to do, better jobs and career prospects, and every girl you meet won't be related to someone you know/have dated your friend before.

In my early thirties though now that I'm settled I'd much prefer to live back home in Sligo in a nice house there. No need to be in Dublin anymore really. Sadly I bought property here and my missus is from here so it's not likely to happen any time soon. At least where I am is outside the M50 so it's sort of a mix of both, albeit a very expensive one.

CelticRambler

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Think of the children. Mam and Dads taxi for seventeen odd years and more until they get their own driving license. OMG.

That in itself would kill me being a ferrying service because there is NO alternative rurally really. Your own life is curtailed.

Depends on what you call "life" :pac: ... and my city-dwelling parents spend a huge amount of time providing a taxi-service for their urbanite grandchildren because my suburban siblings don't have the time to do it all.

jimbobaloobob wrote: »

While its cheaper rent wise. Transportation, shops, fuel etc all cost more.
The time spent traveling to things is also a drawback i find at times from doing things.

Swings and roundabouts. Because there's "more to do" in an urban environment, children get enrolled in more activities, but because the activity has a huge population to draw from, they can organise their timetable to suit themselves, so parents pay the price in terms of taxi-services and calls on granny for an hour's babysitting. In rural communities, there's arguably more coordination between the service provider and their customer base, and chances are there'll be two or three children from neighbouring families heading to the same activity, so it's easier to arrange lifts.

We had a discussion about this urban-rural divide at one of my association meetings, and the urbanites were jealous of us country-folk, because by the time the counted the minutes to leave their apartment, cross two streets, wait for public transport in the evening, and walk the last bit of the way, they were spending at least as long as any of us in getting to where they needed to be. And they always had to leave "early" or risk missing the last bus/tram/metro.

Edgware

Cina wrote: »

Lived and studied/worked in Dublin since I was 17 (apart from a few stints abroad). I'd say for college and your twenties it's much better than being in the schticks, so much more to do, better jobs and career prospects, and every girl you meet won't be related to someone you know/have dated your friend before.

In my early thirties though now that I'm settled I'd much prefer to live back home in Sligo in a nice house there. No need to be in Dublin anymore really. Sadly I bought property here and my missus is from here so it's not likely to happen any time soon. At least where I am is outside the M50 so it's sort of a mix of both, albeit a very expensive one.

Small town Ireland, everyone knows and/or is related. Inbreeding a regular risk

meeeeh

I was lazy last weekend and me and kids didn't go anywhere except to the shop to replenish some bbq supplies. (Oh had to but there are some unavoidable things on atm.) I think my total time in the car last week including commuting, taking kids to the school, driving to activities and shopping was less than 4 hours for 7 says. I didn't do any other travel. I would say that's fairly reasonable. There are quite a few other people who have similar commutes so I wouldn't exactly conclude that all of us living ruraly spend our life in the car.

jimgoose

sk8erboii wrote: »

I get it y'all. You cant stand conflict, never could. That's why when you're brought to a place thats all about competition (for money, for pussy, for fame) you just cant hack it.

Truth is, you're never gonna make it. Never will. You might aswell lay down and surrender (Go to the countryside and be alone so no one can hurt your fee fees).

You cant hack it in the arena. Here in Dublin, its a young man's game. The worn and tired slink away quietly to moldy pubs to complain about whoever they cant fight (Liberals? Immigrants? Feminists).

Thats what you are. Worn. You used to be a sharp knife. But you lost your edge. This is the time of our lives and your death.

Get back behind that counter and fix me my Americano quare live-lah, you beardy little ballacks.

Thelonious Monk

Deleted User wrote: »

Dublin is crawling with tracksuit clad scumbags. What is that all about. I don't see the same thing in other cities.

We're just really health conscious here, the LA of Europe they call Dublin, we like a jog in our tracksuits before brunch or sushi

The One Doctor

I Was VB wrote: »

Ever get tired of city life? I know I have, Currently living in south dublin city centre and working in north Dublin, I’m tired of a hour sitting in traffic each way to get to work, tired of paying €3.50 per hour for parking, tired of little scruffs thinking they are gangsters, tired of junkies, cyclists, not having change out of two pints from a tenner (I know it’s been that way for ages) tired of walking Instagram accounts, tired of people looking down thier nose at people who have a €20 less than them in thier pockets, tired of trials by social media, tired of knocked together houses being sold for €500k just because of the postcode*


so that’s why I want to move to Leitrim, nice and quiet, just a few acres of land and a little cottage, potter around the garden, wake up in the morning to the sound of a cock a doodle doo, instead of a cock in a BMW driving in the bus lane. Get away from city life, just me and the country air, and a few retired freedom fighters and Semtex weapons dumps, get a job in a bar for €250 per week, that’s the dream. Anyone ever do it?**

* I realize most of these problems aren’t exclusively city related.

** probably not going to move to Leitrim or the arsehole of Ireland in the immediate future but thinking about it the last while and I need some inspiration.

We used to live in suburban Dublin. Circumstances necessitated a move and we are now in the country, albeit still in Dublin. 200 metre driveway, an acre of land and a house that's 150 years old and is way bigger than your average semi-d brick box and enormous compared to an apartment. Both of us are less then 30 mins from work and we're 5 mins from Tesco Extra/Lidl etc.

I always wanted to live in the country and the reality is even better than I hoped. The main disadvantage is that we need two cars.

Thelonious Monk

The One Doctor wrote: »

We used to live in suburban Dublin. Circumstances necessitated a move and we are now in the country, albeit still in Dublin. 200 metre driveway, an acre of land and a house that's 150 years old and is way bigger than your average semi-d brick box and enormous compared to an apartment. Both of us are less then 30 mins from work and we're 5 mins from Tesco Extra/Lidl etc.

I always wanted to live in the country and the reality is even better than I hoped. The main disadvantage is that we need two cars.

I'm glad you're happy but it does not compute in my head why you'd want to have to walk 200 meters down your driveway to get in and out of your house!
All that land must be a mare to look after too. I'd take a brick box any day over that. I suppose this is the conclusion of the thread, some prefer being in the thick of loads of folk and some don't.

The One Doctor

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

I'm glad you're happy but it does not compute in my head why you'd want to have to walk 200 meters down your driveway to get in and out of your house!
All that land must be a mare to look after too. I'd take a brick box any day over that. I suppose this is the conclusion of the thread, some prefer being in the thick of loads of folk and some don't.

It's oh so quiet... shhh… shhh… it's oh so still...

Privacy. No pollution. No traffic. A lake right beside us. A swing set for my daughter. Space to put up a hammock... which is exactly what I going to do right now.

Back to your box.

Thelonious Monk

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

I'm glad you're happy but it does not compute in my head why you'd want to have to walk 200 meters down your driveway to get in and out of your house!
All that land must be a mare to look after too. I'd take a brick box any day over that. I suppose this is the conclusion of the thread, some prefer being in the thick of loads of folk and some don't.

You drive down long driveways mostly, walking them would be rare.

Thelonious Monk

Anakin Nutritious Trend wrote: »

You drive down long driveways mostly, walking them would be rare.

I've never owned a car so I don't think it would suit me :pac:
How do your kids go and play with other kids in the area though? We used to just go out on the streets and play kerbs and squares etc.

Bobblehats

I’ve got my stake on a place in the wicklah hills, serene little spot away from all the forore soon to be designated hillbilly retreat. I’ll be bringing a dash of colour but run for the hills was right all along

Eggs For Dinner

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

I've never owned a car so I don't think it would suit me :pac:
How do your kids go and play with other kids in the area though? We used to just go out on the streets and play kerbs and squares etc.

Those days are gone in cities these days. Get mown down by skobies on scramblers and quads

Thelonious Monk

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

I've never owned a car so I don't think it would suit me :pac:
How do your kids go and play with other kids in the area though? We used to just go out on the streets and play kerbs and squares etc.

I didn’t have a long drive we do live at the end of a narrow lane about 1.5km long, used to play with one neighbor about 500 metres away but mostly my friends were school friends from the general area within say a 5km radius, I’d get dropped to their house to play or they to ours. Playing with cousin or siblings then in the garden would be regularly too.

Out around the farm with the grandfather or father would be a regular evening/weekend pass time too from a young age or visiting uncles farms for the weekend.

I don't think I'd ever want to live somewhere remote, my ideal would be within an easy commute of a decent sized town. I like the city, I like having options for things to do and places to go and I like the buzz of city life but I also like a bit of space and quiet.

I don't think one is superior to the other, both have pluses and minuses depending on how you want to live your life.