Some people like the country. Others like the city. Moonlit country lanes? Or dirty neon street? 100 acres or 400 square feet? Grass or pavement? Rats or raccoons? Herds or gangs? Deliverance or C.H.U.D.? What do you prefer, and why?
By the way, the title came from a childrens book that my parents use to read to us when we were young -- "Country Mouse, City Mouse." I guess it needs an update?
Tam, I kind of go back and forth between the two. There is much to like about city life -- particularly the variety. But there is something really wonderful about the peace and quiet of the country life.
Andrew: OK, was this a setup? You gotta know where I'm coming from on this one. LOL I've lived in big cities, or very close by, all of my life. But I looked forward every summer to my stays at my aunt's farm in Iowa. At the time, I probably couldn't have told you why. What kind of life is it without big buildings, the opera, the theater, the arts, and the hustle and bustle of all the things that make living in a cosmopolitan center so desirable?
Well, it was some time back that I asked myself "why do I need this?" The City is also dirty, expensive, crime-ridden, politically leftist, and generally a very hostile place to live.
So now I've moved to the country. I have vistas, clean air, lots of land, friendly neighbors (if I happen to run into them), stars at night, and unbelievable peace and quiet.
And that's why God invented the automobile and hotels. If I have that need for those things I listed for city life, I am a mere two hours from downtown Los Angeles and four and a half from my old home in San Francisco. So squeak, squeak, I'm a country mouse.
I never read the book, but I saw the cartoon when I was a kid and I enjoyed it. Being from Oklahoma, I'm related to quite a few "country mice." And while I like visiting "the city," I never want to stay very long. Both have elements I appreciate, but I guess if I had to choose, it would be city. I like convenience.
Lawhawk, "That's why God invented the automobile and the hotel" indeed!
I lived in DC for many years as well as in small and medium sized town. I really love the variety that the big city offers -- the cultural stuff, the restaurants, etc. So in that regard, I prefer city life.
But they are also dirty, polluted, congested, and full of very nasty people. So in that regard I prefer the country.
Perhaps the best answer is indeed a suburb or a smaller "big" city with some of the amenities, but not as much of a city feel?
JG, I haven't read it in years, but I recall enjoying it.
I've come to the conclusion that the best thing is a good-sized city that has all the conveniences but isn't as congested as a really big city. Plus, if you pick the right city, you still have access to the country whenever you feel like it. Colorado Springs used to be that way until they decided to race to see who could build the suburbs all the way to Kansas first. Bummer.
Ed, I agree that sounds like a good solution. The problem is that too many other people have figured that out and they're turning all of those small towns into extensions of the big town. Look at any of the big cities and you'll see how they've absorbed so many nearby smaller cities.
I've done both. As an experienced Commentaramian, you know I'm sure you knew I would assert my right to cheat and rig the game. This is why I have two homes, a loft in downtown Knoxville and the manor house on the river about an hour away. Best of both worlds, natch. This is, after all, still America, and hopefully we will soon have it back again.
I want the restaurants, the theater, the vibrancy, the walkability, the "always something going" of the city.
But I also want to see stars at night, not have busses cruising up and down in front of my house all day, room for a big garden, space to go for a bike ride without getting killed...
City mouse, most definitely. Well, the country is a great place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there! All of those dang birds singing in the early morning and all that {{{shutter}}} quiet. It's unnerving.
I like that idea -- having an apartment in a town and a house in the country. That really is the best of both worlds. And I recall your description of the house on the river -- sounds beautiful!
Bev, I'm surprised? I had you pegged as a country? ;-)
Just kidding.
I know what you mean about the noise. When I lived in DC for ten+ years, it got to the point that I couldn't sleep if it was too quiet. Hmm. Just more evidence that humans adjust very well to their surroundings, I guess.
One thing I never did like about New York City in my few visits there was that you couldn't see the sun. That was too much for me, as I grew up being able to see to the horizon everywhere except to the west (mountains).
Country Mouse by far. Bev stole my line though in reverse - the city is an okay place to visit, but I certainly wouldn't want to live there. I love the peace and quiet and the chirping birds! TJ
You know Andrew, I know you derive a great deal of pleasure from taunting our poor defenseless BLEs, but what is the logic of a boiler in the middle of a field?? I think it was just to frighten them and that's mean...
Is there a Suburb Mouse option?
ReplyDeleteI'm with JG. I love me my suburbia. But if city and country are the only options, I'll take country every time.
ReplyDeleteJG, LOL! I'm sure there is. And if there isn't, then we should probably make one as most people live in the suburbs now.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, that's rather American to take the parts they like of two choices and make a third! :-)
By the way, the title came from a childrens book that my parents use to read to us when we were young -- "Country Mouse, City Mouse." I guess it needs an update?
ReplyDeleteTam, I kind of go back and forth between the two. There is much to like about city life -- particularly the variety. But there is something really wonderful about the peace and quiet of the country life.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: OK, was this a setup? You gotta know where I'm coming from on this one. LOL I've lived in big cities, or very close by, all of my life. But I looked forward every summer to my stays at my aunt's farm in Iowa. At the time, I probably couldn't have told you why. What kind of life is it without big buildings, the opera, the theater, the arts, and the hustle and bustle of all the things that make living in a cosmopolitan center so desirable?
ReplyDeleteWell, it was some time back that I asked myself "why do I need this?" The City is also dirty, expensive, crime-ridden, politically leftist, and generally a very hostile place to live.
So now I've moved to the country. I have vistas, clean air, lots of land, friendly neighbors (if I happen to run into them), stars at night, and unbelievable peace and quiet.
And that's why God invented the automobile and hotels. If I have that need for those things I listed for city life, I am a mere two hours from downtown Los Angeles and four and a half from my old home in San Francisco. So squeak, squeak, I'm a country mouse.
I never read the book, but I saw the cartoon when I was a kid and I enjoyed it. Being from Oklahoma, I'm related to quite a few "country mice." And while I like visiting "the city," I never want to stay very long. Both have elements I appreciate, but I guess if I had to choose, it would be city. I like convenience.
ReplyDeleteLawhawk, "That's why God invented the automobile and the hotel" indeed!
ReplyDeleteI lived in DC for many years as well as in small and medium sized town. I really love the variety that the big city offers -- the cultural stuff, the restaurants, etc. So in that regard, I prefer city life.
But they are also dirty, polluted, congested, and full of very nasty people. So in that regard I prefer the country.
Perhaps the best answer is indeed a suburb or a smaller "big" city with some of the amenities, but not as much of a city feel?
JG, I haven't read it in years, but I recall enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteI've come to the conclusion that the best thing is a good-sized city that has all the conveniences but isn't as congested as a really big city. Plus, if you pick the right city, you still have access to the country whenever you feel like it. Colorado Springs used to be that way until they decided to race to see who could build the suburbs all the way to Kansas first. Bummer.
I like living in a small, sort of rural town on the outskirts of a bigger city. That gives you both worlds.
ReplyDeleteEd, I agree that sounds like a good solution. The problem is that too many other people have figured that out and they're turning all of those small towns into extensions of the big town. Look at any of the big cities and you'll see how they've absorbed so many nearby smaller cities.
ReplyDeleteI've done both. As an experienced Commentaramian, you know I'm sure you knew I would assert my right to cheat and rig the game. This is why I have two homes, a loft in downtown Knoxville and the manor house on the river about an hour away. Best of both worlds, natch. This is, after all, still America, and hopefully we will soon have it back again.
ReplyDeleteI want both!
ReplyDeleteI want the restaurants, the theater, the vibrancy, the walkability, the "always something going" of the city.
But I also want to see stars at night, not have busses cruising up and down in front of my house all day, room for a big garden, space to go for a bike ride without getting killed...
I too shall opt for 2 house, thankyouverymuch.
City mouse, most definitely. Well, the country is a great place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there! All of those dang birds singing in the early morning and all that {{{shutter}}} quiet. It's unnerving.
ReplyDeleteJed, Cheating and game rigging are expected! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI like that idea -- having an apartment in a town and a house in the country. That really is the best of both worlds. And I recall your description of the house on the river -- sounds beautiful!
Crispy, I can't argue with either list. There is something neat with having everything within walking distance, isn't there?
ReplyDeleteBev, I'm surprised? I had you pegged as a country? ;-)
ReplyDeleteJust kidding.
I know what you mean about the noise. When I lived in DC for ten+ years, it got to the point that I couldn't sleep if it was too quiet. Hmm. Just more evidence that humans adjust very well to their surroundings, I guess.
One thing I never did like about New York City in my few visits there was that you couldn't see the sun. That was too much for me, as I grew up being able to see to the horizon everywhere except to the west (mountains).
Bev, the damnnnn birds wake me up in the city, too. I have a serious growing dislike for morning doves...
ReplyDeleteCrispy, Birds are nature's way of encouraging mankind to invent the shotgun!
ReplyDelete"Chirp."
"Shut the heck up!"
"Chirp."
BANG!!
"ribbit"
But Andrew, what we lose with no sunlight, we make up for in neon!
ReplyDeleteHey, boilers is boilers! It doesn't matter where they are.
ReplyDeleteBoiler Room Elf, I suspect you would go insane if we moved the boiler out into a field somewhere! :-)
ReplyDeleteBev, I suppose that's true. Though I've never heard of a "neon tan"?
ReplyDeleteSolar-powered boilers are the wave of the future, Bossman!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Probably.
ReplyDeleteCountry Mouse by far. Bev stole my line though in reverse - the city is an okay place to visit, but I certainly wouldn't want to live there. I love the peace and quiet and the chirping birds! TJ
ReplyDeleteI think of myself as a Big City Troll! I love the glare of neon, the noise, the smells. Yep. Love the city!
ReplyDeleteThe pigeons...
ReplyDeleteTJ, I can take the birds, but I despise the insect -- especially the mosquitoes. Though the rest of the wildlife is pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteMega, I suppose it's harder to find bridges in the country too huh? ;-)
ReplyDeletePersonally, I prefer the smells of the country.
CrispyRice, Yes, pigeons. Nature's statute critics. . .
ReplyDeleteYou know Andrew, I know you derive a great deal of pleasure from taunting our poor defenseless BLEs, but what is the logic of a boiler in the middle of a field?? I think it was just to frighten them and that's mean...
ReplyDeleteBev, You call it mean, I call it pre-labor negotiations intimidation! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI’m with Ed! A small town close enough too get to the city. So I’m a country mouse, who enjoys his city adventures.
ReplyDeleteStan, That seems to be a pretty popular position. There must be something to it?
ReplyDelete