So, last year my wife and I lived in a house in the middle of the woods and we spent a lot of time outside. We had a big garden, an orchard and then 70 acres of forest and old field that we would walk on often. Now, we live in a small apartment in the city. It is a nice apartment. We have a balcony with a nice view, but it is still in the city and there is no nature. Has anyone else made a rural to urban move recently and miss the great outdoors?
I grew up in NYC, live elsewhere now. You couldn't pay me to go back.
3
fingerchipsforallApr 1, 2026
+3
Yeah, I've visited NYC. I wouldn't be interested in living there either. The only major US city I've lived in is Chicago. It was ok, but I would never move back. I'm not even sure I'll ever go back to visit. But I don't always mind living in non-US cities for the novelty factor. That and it is kind of necessary for my career.
3
Psych0PompOsApr 1, 2026
+3
I've come to realize I need nature around to be happy.
3
fingerchipsforallApr 1, 2026
+3
I really prefer it. But I also realize I need money to stay alive. Unfortunately there just weren't any jobs I could find out in the woods.
3
Neither-Employee6848Apr 1, 2026
+3
Yeah, I feel this. Cities are convenient, but nothing really replaces that quiet and open space. Even a short walk in nature hits different. Do you ever get the chance to go back sometimes?
3
fingerchipsforallApr 1, 2026
+1
I haven't yet. But we have some time off in June and will be going back for a few weeks. I dream of it almost every day.
1
Neither-Employee6848Apr 1, 2026
+3
From where u belong ?
3
fingerchipsforallApr 1, 2026
+1
I grew up in the Great Lakes Region in the US and that is "home" but I've lived in 5 different large cities in 5 different countries on 4 different continents.
1
Neither-Employee6848Apr 1, 2026
+2
Wtf
2
paragon-interruptApr 1, 2026
+2
I just moved from the middle of nowhere and to, not necessarily a city, but a much more populated and busier town. Not a lot of greenery, but I love it simply because there's so much more to do and see. Diversity is off the charts. Feels like I'm actually in civilization now lol
2
fingerchipsforallApr 1, 2026
+1
Yeah I can relate to that. When I've moved from rural to urban, I always spent the first 3-6 months really enjoying the diversity before the lack of nature creeps up on me and I start to miss that more than I enjoy the hustle and bustle.
1
TalkEnvironmental447Apr 1, 2026
+1
Is there a park nearby? In Central Park parts of it are like you are in a huge forest lol
1
Psych0PompOsApr 1, 2026
+3
While parks can be beautiful there's no shortage of people in NYC to remind you that you're all on top of each other. It also doesn't beat just opening your door and having that right there.
Greenwood cemetery is a nicer spot anyway, most of the people around are dead and you can chill by the lake and look at the parrots and shit. The living are less inclined to go without reason.
3
fingerchipsforallApr 1, 2026
+2
There aren't really parks per se. But there is a marina about a mile or so away and we walk to that on the weekend quite often. That is nice, but not really nature. The city is in a developing nation where the trash collection services are not quite up to par and the local population has a tendency to throw garbage on the ground. So, any non developed land ends up turning into a informal junk yard. It is unfortunate.
23 Comments