Introduction
Nowadays, people have many options when choosing where to live. Modern cities offer unlimited opportunities for personal growth and development, entertainment, necessary social services, and transportation. However, in rural areas, residents can enjoy better ecological conditions and access to nature, eat food grown locally, and live in peace.
Considering these options and the numerous differences between them, some people argue whether it is better to be a city or village resident. Living in a city and in the countryside is similar in terms of exposure to pollution. Still, these lives are surprisingly different because of the availability and types of green spaces, access to locally grown products, and mental and physical health.
Pollution
To begin with, it is essential to explain how living in a rural area and residing in a suburban location are similar. Some people may think that living in the countryside means having access to cleaner air and water, but this is not always true. Recent studies find that it is no longer much safer in rural areas, as air and water contamination has already spread there.
Thus, Yoksoulian “found that PM2.5 exposure may be just as hazardous in rural areas as in urban areas – evidence that challenges a common misconception that air pollution is more toxic in urban areas.” PM2.5 are particles with a maximum diameter of 2.5 micrometers that can embed in lung tissue and cause severe health problems, and rural residents are as exposed as people in cities (Yoksoulian). The situation is not better in other countries, as in India, “in 2022, the average annual PM 2.5 level was 46.4 microgrammes in rural India, barely below the urban level of 46.8 microgrammes” (Basu).
Further, water is also not always cleaner and safer in the countryside. As Fowler-Lidner stated, in cities, water can be contaminated by waste from industrial plants, construction sites, and residential areas, and drinking tap water is not suitable for people’s long-term health. At the same time, in rural areas, agricultural facilities pose a severe threat to the quality of private water sources. Since these are not under government control, individuals are at risk (Fowler-Lidner). Therefore, nowadays, it is not much safer or cleaner in the countryside, and the situation is expected to deteriorate.
Green Spaces
After describing a similarity between the two types of areas, it is essential to explore how their lives can differ. The first central distinguishing feature between living in a rural area and a city is that the former offers greater access to various green spaces. For instance, people in villages can walk through forests, have picnics on green lawns, and swim in rivers and lakes. Almost all types of green spaces in rural areas are naturally created and only lightly maintained by residents, which means greater exposure to nature’s joyful sources.
In addition, when walking in a city park, people rarely enjoy solitude or silence because there are many visitors in such a confined space. Green spaces in the countryside are more meditative and peaceful than crowded, often dirty parks or small backyards. Hubbard et al. indicate that “humans have an innate evolutionary connection to the natural environment such that any exposure to it will reduce levels of stress and improve mood” (3870). Thus, rural residents receive more value and benefits from being surrounded by nature. In cities, people are busier and rarely have time to visit a park and enjoy the greenery, while people in the countryside do not have to set aside special time to connect with nature.
Locally Grown Products
The issue of poor nutrition is prevalent all across the U.S., but it is possible to contrast city and village residents’ access to healthy foods. Many individuals in rural areas engage in small or large-scale food production, and it is common for neighbors to exchange their products or sell them to others. For instance, some villagers harvest fruits, vegetables, berries, and grains, then eat them themselves or sell them to buy other goods. Other rural residents collect mushrooms, keep chickens to get fresh eggs, or have cows and make dairy products from natural milk. Since many people in villages do not use pesticides, antibiotics, and other chemicals, the food they receive is much healthier than what is sold in city stores. These locally grown products are sometimes richer in taste and nutrients, and it is challenging for urban individuals to access them.
One can argue that many citizens buy organic food, which is no less healthy than the crops and products of villagers. However, researchers indicate that not all goods labeled organic are truly organic, and there are few health benefits from these products (Paarlberg). Consequently, from this point of view, it is more beneficial to live in a village.
Mental and Physical Health
Eventually, it is possible to describe the difference between rural and urban residents’ access to physical and mental health services. Due to the increased availability of locally produced food and natural environments that villagers have, some people might suggest that they are healthier in general, but statistics prove otherwise. According to the Rural Health Information Hub, “while the prevalence of mental illness is similar between rural and urban residents, the services available can be very different.”
There is a shortage of healthcare professionals in rural areas, and when an emergency occurs, residents must travel long distances to find adequate care (Rural Health Information Hub). Moreover, many villagers refuse to seek mental health support because they fear facing stigmatization or avoidance from their neighbors. At the same time, individuals residing in towns and cities have much broader and easier access to various services and can quickly and privately seek medical help.
Conclusion
To conclude, current pollution levels make rural and urban life similar, but significant differences in access to organic food, nature, and healthcare services inform the choices people make when moving to a city or village. Although it may seem that rural residents face lower levels of water and air pollution, recent research shows that the situation is deteriorating and that insufficient attention is being paid to the cleansing of natural resources in the countryside. Walking in a city park or a rural forest is two entirely different experiences, and villagers tend to connect to nature more. Their access to locally produced food is also higher, while citizens have to spend money on organic goods that are not always nutritious. Lastly, individuals in rural areas have reduced access to healthcare services and rarely seek mental health support. This similarity and several differences not only shape personal choices but also must be considered by authorities to enhance the well-being of citizens and villagers.
Works Cited
Basu, Joyanta. “Air Pollution Impacts Villages and Cities Almost Equally but Pollution Control Funds Only for Urban India, Shows Analysis.” DownToEarth, 2023.
Fowler-Lidner, Justin. “Rural vs Urban Water Contaminants – Most Common Contaminants Depending on Where You Live.” Cloud Water Filters, 2022.
Hubbard, Gill, et al. “Are Rurality, Area Deprivation, Access to Outside Space, and Green Space Associated with Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Cross Sectional Study (CHARIS-E).” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 18, no. 8, 2021, pp. 3869-3886.
Paarlberg, Robert. “Only Eat Organic? You’re Paying Too Much, and It’s Not Worth It, Author Says.” The Harvard Gazette, 2021.
Rural Health Information Hub. “Rural Mental Health.” Rural Health Info, 2023.
Yoksoulian, Lois. “Rural Air Pollution May Be as Hazardous as Urban, Study Finds.” University of Illinois, 2022.