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is the countryside better than people think

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    #32
    meeeeh
    Registered Users Posts: 11,624 ✭✭✭✭meeeeh


    Ms2011 wrote: »
    These threads are always the same:

    I love the city/country and couldn't imagine living anywhere elsewhere.
    I hate the city/country and would never return.

    It's all relative to your circumstances and personal preference.
    That's true. I think though at the moment things that make city great aren't around. Frankly if someones quality of life in city isn't affected at tze moment it just means that they were/are paying city prices for the lifestyle they could have in the country for less.


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    #33
    Ms2011
    Registered Users Posts: 3,119 ✭✭✭Ms2011


    meeeeh wrote: »
    That's true. I think though at the moment things that make city great aren't around. Frankly if someones quality of life in city isn't affected at tze moment it just means that they were/are paying city prices for the lifestyle they could have in the country for less.

    I think making a decision now though wouldn't be wise, our current situation is (hopefully) short term. I say that as someone who is in the 'I love the country and couldn't imagine living anywhere else' bracket.


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    #34
    spurious
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 27,107 CMod ✭✭✭✭spurious


    Once the house wasn't a dump, proximity to a hospital and decent broadband would be my criteria for rural living.


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    #35
    tastyt
    Registered Users Posts: 2,017 ✭✭✭tastyt


    Honestly reckon a decent sized town is the best bet. Has everything you need as regards shops, schools, gym , pub , sports clubs. If you want a rural life you’ll probably get it 5 mins drive form these places.

    Head to a city then for a gig, sporting event or big occasion if needs be but don’t have the frankly ridiculous cost of living , crime and anti social issues you will find in Dublin . ( of course you will always have some of these things in every town )


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    #36
    mickdw
    Registered Users Posts: 23,260 ✭✭✭✭mickdw


    spurious wrote: »
    Once the house wasn't a dump, proximity to a hospital and decent broadband would be my criteria for rural living.

    People seem to have the opinion that rural houses are basically sheds.
    The vast majority of families living in the country side are living in what would be million euro plus houses if located in dublin so the standard of living space and outdoor space is so far ahead of what one would expect in the city.
    I think after this lockdown where having to stay in an apartment must really have been horrific, there will be increased interest in having a country getaway.


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    #37
    Mad_maxx
    Registered Users Posts: 13,505 ✭✭✭✭Mad_maxx


    Ms2011 wrote: »
    These threads are always the same:

    I love the city/country and couldn't imagine living anywhere elsewhere.
    I hate the city/country and would never return.

    It's all relative to your circumstances and personal preference.

    i dont hate either , i just posed the question if the countryside will get a fresh look post covid 19 ?


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    #38
    RobertKK
    Registered Users Posts: 33,727 ✭✭✭✭RobertKK


    I like both.

    The city has the amenities and people.
    The countryside the peace and closeness to nature.

    Both options have their positives, it depends what a person wants, what is good for one person is not for another.
    I wouldn't run either down as we need both.


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    #39
    meeeeh
    Registered Users Posts: 11,624 ✭✭✭✭meeeeh


    Ms2011 wrote: »
    I think making a decision now though wouldn't be wise, our current situation is (hopefully) short term. I say that as someone who is in the 'I love the country and couldn't imagine living anywhere else' bracket.

    I feel very little preference for either as long it's the right size and locatio but that was not my point. It was an observation that an awful lot of things that make city great are not there at the moment but if someone living there doesn't even notice it they probably weren't enjoying much of what city has to offer even before. Living in the country there is feck all difference unless you got to mass or gaa pitch.


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    #40
    Multipass
    Registered Users Posts: 1,678 ✭✭✭Multipass


    The countryside is great when your kids are small, but when they’re teenagers it’s a pain in the ass. Expect to spend those years driving. No drinking on Friday nights when you have to drive down to the arse of nowhere at 1am to pick up from a party. Then up again at 7 to drop to a Saturday job. There’s a lot to be said for living somewhere with public transport.


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    #41
    Not in Kansas
    Registered Users Posts: 274 ✭✭Not in Kansas


    I've never understood the 'retire to the countryside' mentality. By all means stay in the countryside if that's where you have always lived, or do your countryside living when you are middle aged and possibly raising a family.

    What I don't get is moving to the countryside at a time of life where you will inevitably start collecting ailments that require hospital visits. When you may have to suddenly start relying on public transport. When you might find that you suddenly need more family support.

    I say this all as someone who supports older people as part of my job. Things can change very quickly and unexpectedly for a variety of reasons and being near services and supports makes such a huge difference.


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    #42
    Ms2011
    Registered Users Posts: 3,119 ✭✭✭Ms2011


    Multipass wrote: »
    The countryside is great when your kids are small, but when they’re teenagers it’s a pain in the ass. Expect to spend those years driving. No drinking on Friday nights when you have to drive down to the arse of nowhere at 1am to pick up from a party. Then up again at 7 to drop to a Saturday job. There’s a lot to be said for living somewhere with public transport.

    My sister lives in West Dublin and still drives her kids around as there is too much anti social behaviour around the bus/Luas stop near her home.


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    #43
    harr
    Registered Users Posts: 4,478 ✭✭✭harr


    I can see benefit to both , I grew up in a country town but near enough to Dublin for days out and to jump on the bus if needed so not out in the complete sticks. 10 minutes on my bike as a kid would bring me to the country side to my farming cousins where I spent most of my school holidays and I loved that freedom of going out in morning and not being seen only for meals .
    I can imagine it would be lonely for some kids if they didn’t have family or friends nearby.

    Currently we have best of both rural village in a small housing estate with fields and woodland all around us. Kids can walk to friends and school and most sports are only a bike ride away.
    A friend who has teenagers and lives in middle of no where is run ragged driving the kids everywhere add to that poor broadband and mobile phone signal so he can get fairly isolated , nearest house to him is nearly 2km away and nearest village is 12km .

    I have lived in a few city’s and you are never bored and always something to do and I did enjoy city living for a while. But definitely found city living more lonely than rural.


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    #44
    Potential-Monke
    Registered Users Posts: 13,805 ✭✭✭✭Potential-Monke


    Having being brought up in the country and lived in a few different cities at this stage, the country life is underrated. But that seems to be a city vs country upbringing thing. I love the nights in the country. Mostly silence, some wildlife. But the best part is when there is no cloud cover, and you get to see the night sky in all its glory. That is what is underrated. During the winter, as I work nights, I'd be getting home while it's still dark, and I'd spend 5-10 minutes just staring up at the stars. Beautiful.

    Had a friend who was born/raised in the city, and the country was 'too quiet' for him, and the wildlife used to freak him out. Jumping at every little rustle in the bushes, the cries from the nightlife. He couldn't hack it. I'm still waiting for my moment to make a fox friend!


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    #45
    _Brian
    Registered Users Posts: 18,473 ✭✭✭✭_Brian


    We live on a small farm in a rural area.

    Literally can’t imagine living anywhere else.

    But it’s all down to what your used to, what you want from life and how you live.
    We never go to the pub so it’s no problem being 6km from them nearest town. Kids schools are on way to work so school runs are never a problem.

    We keep cattle, chickens, pigs.

    Have spent much of the lockdown building a stables and paddock as we’re getting a horse for the youngest.


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    #46
    DoozerT6
    Registered Users Posts: 2,589 ✭✭✭DoozerT6


    Deleted User wrote: »
    I grew up in the country and still live there now. It’s ok for families with small children but not great for teenagers. As a teenager, I lived a distance from my friends and as a result was and am a bit of a loner. When my own kids were old enough, I had them join every club possible and spent years driving them to various events. It was tough going, but I think worth it as they’ve got great friends from these groups. I love my home, but have been seriously considering selling and moving into or closer to town as the maintenance is a bit much now that we’re approaching retirement.

    Exactly this. During the years when I should have been starting to exist somewhat independantly from my family (meeting up with friends, just wandering into the town centre or whatever, only appearing at mealtimes) I was stuck at home for the most part. Being at home is what is most normal for me even now in my 40's, and it's VERY hard to break out of that mindset when you missed out on a lot of that part of your social development.


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    #47
    Balmed Out
    Registered Users Posts: 4,713 ✭✭✭Balmed Out


    People have preconceptions of both but the truth is both have a massive range.
    I grew up in a suburb, it was about a 30 minute walk to the city centre but your not going to do that for a coffee and taking the car means traffic, parking hassle etc.

    I live now in a semi d with excellent fibre in an estate of 12 houses just outside a town. I can walk in less than 15 minutes to a dozen bars and more restaurants and drive within 15 minutes to six or seven beaches the closest being 3km. I actually use cafes, restaurants etc more in the rural location as its just so much easier. I'd be home again by the time I queued at a bus stop or found parking in the city. I think its a far better location for families, kids, teens, couples. Young adults who want gigs on a Monday night and a wide variety of bars and older singles are far better served in the city.

    Just trying to show urban isn't necessarily an apartment in the city centre and rural is not necessarily isolated. The big plusses are events in urban areas and rainy day activities. Whenever there's a good comedian or band I'm interested in playing in the town ill definitely be there, in the city I would have been picker.


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    #48
    Edgware
    Registered Users Posts: 5,875 ✭✭✭Edgware


    Ultrflat wrote: »
    Best county I lived in was Waterford, bye far it was rural, with mountains beaches loads of space for activities...
    and blaas


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    #49
    pgj2015
    Registered Users Posts: 8,925 ✭✭✭pgj2015


    I grew up in the countryside, about 2 miles from a busy town. I am looking to but a house now and I saw a 7 acre site in the middle of nowhere overlooking a lake for only 50,000. I would have bought it but it was too far from where I work so I had to leave it. That is the ideal place I want to live, the lake would have been great as I have always been into fishing.


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    #50
    JustAThought
    Registered Users Posts: 5,323 ✭✭✭JustAThought


    pgj2015 wrote: »
    I grew up in the countryside, about 2 miles from a busy town. I am looking to but a house now and I saw a 7 acre site in the middle of nowhere overlooking a lake for only 50,000. I would have bought it but it was too far from where I work so I had to leave it. That is the ideal place I want to live, the lake would have been great as I have always been into fishing.

    50k - Just buy it!! You’ll be regretting that for a long time!! ( Unless of course it floods!)


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    #51
    pgj2015
    Registered Users Posts: 8,925 ✭✭✭pgj2015


    JustAThought wrote: »
    50k - Just buy it!! You’ll be regretting that for a long time!! ( Unless of course it floods!)



    it isnt on daft now, it comes and goes on it. but with my work it wouldnt suit at all, I will probably be working in a different industry in 10 years but at the moment it just wouldnt work. i doubt it floods at its on a steep enough hill.


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    #52
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    JustAThought wrote: »
    50k - Just buy it!! You’ll be regretting that for a long time!! ( Unless of course it floods!)

    Or you don’t get planning.


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    #53
    pgj2015
    Registered Users Posts: 8,925 ✭✭✭pgj2015


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Or you don’t get planning.




    There was planning with it.


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    #54
    Galwayguy35
    Registered Users Posts: 16,272 ✭✭✭✭Galwayguy35


    Ms2011 wrote: »
    These threads are always the same:

    I love the city/country and couldn't imagine living anywhere elsewhere.
    I hate the city/country and would never return.

    It's all relative to your circumstances and personal preference.

    +1

    Different strokes for different folks, some people like what the city has to offer and others prefer the quiet life in the countryside.

    I live in a small village and it suit me perfectly, can walk to the local shop or the pub (when it opens) for a pint and still have lots of open space for walking cyclyng etc.

    Although growing up in a rural area in the 70s and 80s wasn't great, my folks had no car and never learned to drive and when we had to go somewhere it was a case of asking neighbours for lifts and you always felt they were doing it because they were too polite to say no.


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    #55
    JustAThought
    Registered Users Posts: 5,323 ✭✭✭JustAThought


    Covid -19 is an incurable plague that can kill and that has no cure and that you can catch multiple times - each a chance for death . I think we wouod be mad to assume that the lure of decrease of risk for health and the availability clean open privately contained spaces will not be affected by this.

    As regards cliqueness - I specifically chose to buy in a new build estate with lovely houses in a semi rural location close enough commute to the city thinking everyone would be in the same boat and friendly and living happily ever after together - NO!! Tensions of close enough living, bitchy bored housewives and knacker behaviour from professional but not interested in or available to parent families, issues over noise and parking problems has aligned the estate into general factions and provided within a short enough timeframe the kind of closed thinking, schoolboy cliques and nasty bitchy attitudes and behaviour that I guess would be similar after generations of fueds and fighting in the country.

    I can’t imagine , given the availability of finance for second hand cars and the normalising of banger/starter cars for late teens that the issues of isolation from one car working families in the 1980’s or 1990’s would be the same 30 years on which seems to be the biggest issue in this thread.

    Having listened to 5 hours of screaming & fighting inna foreign language by over the wall kids yesterday if the broadband and house was excellent and in its own grounds - acerage - I certainly would be strongly considering moving. I can always get into the car and drive for a meal/ gig/ shopping centre - not that any of them are open in the city anymore anyway!! And rather than joining a gym a home gym room and Jie Wicks on the internet, and whetever it takes to out in a hottub and heated pool under the stars in the garden would certainly be money well spent : )

    You can dream different with space - and in the city it is a numbers game and only a matter of time before you catch it. Chilling reports from people who have caught it and recovered telling of long term (so far) lung damage and breathing pain and exhaustion issues ... :0

    A big yes from me so!


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    #56
    Galwayguy35
    Registered Users Posts: 16,272 ✭✭✭✭Galwayguy35


    pgj2015 wrote: »
    I grew up in the countryside, about 2 miles from a busy town. I am looking to but a house now and I saw a 7 acre site in the middle of nowhere overlooking a lake for only 50,000. I would have bought it but it was too far from where I work so I had to leave it. That is the ideal place I want to live, the lake would have been great as I have always been into fishing.

    Sounds like a lovely place to retire in.

    50 k is a steal, what county is it in if you don't mind me asking?


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    #57
    pgj2015
    Registered Users Posts: 8,925 ✭✭✭pgj2015


    Galwayguy35 wrote: »
    Sounds like a lovely place to retire in.

    50 k is a steal, what county is it in if you don't mind me asking?




    Roscommon. its not on daft now. might be sold.

    it seemed a bit too good to be true.


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    #58
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    DoozerT6 wrote: »
    Exactly this. During the years when I should have been starting to exist somewhat independantly from my family (meeting up with friends, just wandering into the town centre or whatever, only appearing at mealtimes) I was stuck at home for the most part. Being at home is what is most normal for me even now in my 40's, and it's VERY hard to break out of that mindset when you missed out on a lot of that part of your social development.

    The last thing people should want is their teens hanging around on corners or wandering around the town. Contrary to some I would see the inability to get around by themselves as a big advantage of country and makes it much easier for parents to keep control on teens and know where they are.

    When I was a teenager I was far too busy working on the farm to be hanging around the town causing trouble like the people in our nearest time used to do.


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    #59
    Multipass
    Registered Users Posts: 1,678 ✭✭✭Multipass


    Julissa Eager Matchless wrote: »
    The last thing people should want is their teens hanging around on corners or wandering around the town. Contrary to some I would see the inability to get around by themselves as a big advantage of country and makes it much easier for parents to keep control on teens and know where they are.

    When I was a teenager I was far too busy working on the farm to be hanging around the town causing trouble like the people in our nearest time used to do.

    For younger teens yes, but as they get older you want to foster some independence and self reliance, which is much harder to do when they have to involve you in their social life. The solution is to have them driving as soon as possible, but the way car insurance currently stands it’s completely impossible (for me anyway).


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    #60
    DoozerT6
    Registered Users Posts: 2,589 ✭✭✭DoozerT6


    Julissa Eager Matchless wrote: »
    The last thing people should want is their teens hanging around on corners or wandering around the town. Contrary to some I would see the inability to get around by themselves as a big advantage of country and makes it much easier for parents to keep control on teens and know where they are.

    When I was a teenager I was far too busy working on the farm to be hanging around the town causing trouble like the people in our nearest time used to do.

    Not everybody in the country lives on a farm. That would of course have kept me busy, but unless you LOVE farming it could also build resentment that here you are, stuck baling hay when your mates are on holiday or just off for the day having the craic on their summer hols.

    My point wasn't about just wanting to hang around the town though, but as multipass said above, about fostering a sense of independance and normalising the fact that another life exists beyond the confines of your garden. Or the farm.


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    #61
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Multipass wrote: »
    For younger teens yes, but as they get older you want to foster some independence and self reliance, which is much harder to do when they have to involve you in their social life. The solution is to have them driving as soon as possible, but the way car insurance currently stands it’s completely impossible (for me anyway).

    Both mine learned to drive as soon as they turned 17. It eased my burden a lot!


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