Rural Bashing?

[MountainWoods]

Interesting thought. The nearest traffic light to our home is 8.2 miles northwest as the Flow Cries.
The nearest to the south is 13.8 miles southwest.
Being in the Ozarks, it would be a bit difficult to figure the nearest traffic lights in the 4 main compass point directions. If you went due north, east, west, or south it might be 100 miles in any of the directions.
We do have stop signs in our town, mostly for the side roads to stop before entering onto the east-west state highway that runs along the edge of town. And then a stop sign on that highway when it junctions into a slightly bigger north-south state highway.

Another thing I've bumped into is "perceived time". I live about 10 miles from a well-known department store. At 55 and 60 MPH most of the way, I can get there in less than 15 minutes. My friends in the cities to the southwest live, typically, about 2 miles from another of these department stores, so they think they're better off that way. But if they really time their trip to their store (and not use perceived time) they'll find that it takes about 15 minutes to go that shorter distance. QED

A good friend of mine at my last job (wished he lived in the country like us) used to say that it was better that he lived his 10 miles to work instead of my 26 miles. Until we both objectively timed it for a few days. Guess who was the "speedster". Yep. Most of my 26 miles were 55 MPH, while he was crawling along at 35 or 30. Do the math. Check your watch, not your "idea" of time. Got him thinking, I'll say that. (We still meet for lunch sometimes half way between work and my place.)

 

[JRobyn]

Wife works as an IT QA Analyst. Everything she does is on the computer - no customer interaction. She does have routine conference calls with colleagues. So all she needs is a phone line and the internet. We are blessed that her company (finally) supports telecommuting. It took about 2-3 years of "convincing" them. Our only option for a while was DSL, but now have fiber. No more ATL traffic!!!

 

[beowulf]

31 years ago moved from LA to 90 acres in Central California foothills. A lot of work, challenges, and memories. And the scariest thing I will likely ever have to face is when I have to move from here - a day that will arrive likely in the next 2-4 years for many reasons.

But more to the point of the OP: Many years ago on Christmas eve I received a phone call from a friend who lived in LA. I was surprised to get his call as we had not talked for a few years. He said he was in his high rise office building but could not leave because no one could get out of the underground parking lot due to complete grid lock on the streets in downtown LA. He said he might not be able to get home for hours and he said that made him think of me and understand why I lived where I live.

 

[beowulf]

All our friends and relatives love to come out to "the farm" for visits when they can. They all love the peaceful serenity of being in the country where they can unwind from the rigors of city life and work. I have not had one person, young or old that did not love it and not one ever downgraded anyone for living in the country.

Gary, my experience is the same re visitors - frequently hear something like, "wow, I could really go for this". However, I always tell them that sitting on the deck with an adult beverage and enjoying the view and counting the quail is only part of it, and that the other part is loving the work it takes to maintain it and the challenges rural living presents regularly. Me, well, I think the work keeps you young and the satisfaction from meeting the challenges keeps you happy.

 

[Redneck in training]

Gary, my experience is the same re visitors - frequently hear something like, "wow, I could really go for this". However, I always tell them that sitting on the deck with an adult beverage and enjoying the view and counting the quail is only part of it, and that the other part is loving the work it takes to maintain it and the challenges rural living presents regularly. Me, well, I think the work keeps you young and the satisfaction from meeting the challenges keeps you happy.

Second that. We bought land so we have something enjoyable to do after retirement.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have been watching Mumbai Railway on Netflix. The worst crap hole of North America must be better than living there. How good we have it!

 

[kcflhrc]

I like living rural, that's for sure. But my home was built in 1970 and it just wears me slick maintaining everything. I will move 2 more times, to the lake and then the crematorium.

 

[CADplans]

I have been watching Mumbai Railway on Netflix. The worst crap hole of North America must be better than living there. How good we have it!

I helped design electrical equipment,, some of which was sold in India.
Two technicians from our team was sent over to India to help with the startup,,
they came back with horror stories about riding that train,, too wild for me to repeat here.
I would not waste my effort re-telling what happened,,
NO ONE would believe the living conditions there,, and what people did to make enough money for food.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I think nine people a day die on the railway just around Mumbai. One motorman says he has hit 20-30 people.

I built sound system racks for the Ankara Turkey Subway. Never did go there. I like to see such places on TV and stay in my comfort zone. Someone would have to pay me a lot of money to leave my comfort zone and that applies to places most people might consider vacation destinations.

 

[shaeff]

This is what I see when I step out the front door. I snapped this (poor quality) pic just a minute ago for the sole purpose of this thread. I wouldn't trade this for a cityscape for anything. We love it here!

Edit: those are the Catskill Mountains.