jand38 said:Rual living is great my wife and I will only move back when age catches up with us.
The thing that all should be on the look out for is how close are you to a land grabbing city. We where just happy as can be when when low and behold here they come and the lies that are told are amazing and this is from people you know but when they get on city council look out. Power cause humans to do crazy things all under " this is the best for you" we know it is so shut up.
I do not have a answer only shake my head in wonder.
When in a group, committee, city council, etc., people will make decisions that are incredibly stupid. I have seen this over and over--intelligent people that make first-class decisions for themselves but the group sinks below the lowest intelligence of the dumbest member of the group when dealing with public money or policy. True synergy at work.
Back on topic: I enjoy both places. I have lived in the country and smack in the middle of Chicago; both have their positives, both have their negatives. However, once a city gets to the size where it has more than one of any particular business (such as two K-marts, two Burger Kings, etc.), it's size above that point is just repetition. For me, a Division I college town is just about right and from the ones I've seen, they're all pretty nice. Setting politics aside, I'd live in one of them any day.
Unfortunately, my livelihood dictates where I will live for now. I was not smart enough to get a very portable career, which is a mistake I have stressed to my kids not to make. There is also the consideration of school systems. Big city school systems are something to which I would never subject my children.
In my ideal world, I would own both.