what is country life essay

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City Life vs. Country Life, Essay Example

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Life in both a city and the country has a different charm. Just as we may not agree upon the most beautiful place in the world, similarly, one cannot claim that life in the city or the country is always better than the other. We all have different personalities and perspectives and quite often want different things from life. This is why some people may find the cities to be more appealing while others yearn for a life in the country. I am fortunate to have experienced life in both the cities and the country and while each has its attractions and shortcomings, I am mostly a country person at heart.

Life in the city is in the fast lane. When I was in New York, everyone always seemed in hurry. It seemed that people either slept or worked and nothing else. Some people would tell me that people who socialize in New York are often college students or those with less than average career ambitions. This made me realized that people in the city do go to the extremes and are not content with the average. But when I was living in the country, I liked the fact that people had mastered the art of balancing work and life. They worked hard but when work was over, they would totally forget about it and hang out with family and friends. They never waited for the weekends to enjoy life. The country people have taught me that sometimes life is best experienced at a slow pace. I might have heard from many in the cities that you should live every day as if it is your last day on the earth but it seems that only country people truly understand the meaning behind it.

Cities are huge not only in terms of geographical area but also population. While cities do have the benefit of greater diversity of cultures and ethnicities but huge population size prevents the feeling of community that I enjoyed in the country. People in the country even treat strangers as their own and smile often while greeting each other. A smile may not be much but it would remind me that country people are not totally absorbed in their own lives and do take the moment to acknowledge others’ presence.

Cities stay on the leading edge of latest trends whether in technology, fashion, or lifestyle habits. Thus, what I experience in cities is usually popular culture which keeps changing and may also exist in similar forms in other areas of the world. Thus, cities lose a distinctive trait that comes from a preserved culture. Country towns on the other hand resist modernity to some extent which is why I felt I was experiencing the same culture that one might have experienced even three decades ago or more. While cities exhibit present and future, country towns exhibit present and past. Since I have an interest in antique elements of culture, it is natural that I enjoy life in the country more than in the cities.

Country towns may not be as developed and populated as cities but there are also some advantages in it. First of all, there is less noise and the place doesn’t feel condensed. Everyone can freely enjoy its space and cheap real estate prices also help a lot. I was living with friends in a house that had a rent of only $500 while such a big house in a major city could easily have cost at least $5,000 by conservative estimates. In addition, I also noticed low environmental pollution which may explain why country people have good health and live long life. I found country people to be more content with their lives and less stressful even though their net worth was just average by the standards of rich people in big cities.

But like anything else, even your favorite things have shortcomings. I do consider myself open minded and have observed that people in country towns are not only old-fashioned but sometimes also resist progressive ideas because they feel threatened. To some extent, I understand that they want to preserve their traditions but at the same time, embracing progressive ideas is inevitable if the country towns want to ensure their long-term future. This is why I do feel sad at times as country towns have been fast disappearing and believe that country people do need to embrace flexibility for their own benefits.

I also noticed that there were fewer recreational opportunities in country towns such as museums and theaters. For someone who likes to explore different activities, it was a little disappointment. But at the same time, limited recreational activities also make life simple. This may also be why country people are less materialistic because they only need few things in life to be happy. The rules of simple life they inherit from their parents remain with them for lives. It seems there is an upside to resisting change also because it allows country people to avoid many social issues commonly faced by city people.

I like country life because it balances both work and family/social life and avoid extremities. Despite few economic resources, I found country people to be more content with life and less stressful. Country people are also more friendly and I felt a sense of community in country towns that is frequently absent in big cities. I also found the absence of noise and environmental pollution to be quite soothing during my stay in country towns.

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City Life vs Country Life: Essay on Similarities and Differences

City life vs country life essay: introduction, similarities between city life and country life, country life vs city life: compare/contrast, farm vs city: conclusion.

Living on a farm has been described by many people as the best experience one may have. Some say it is cheap and healthy, while others claim that people brought up on farms have good family values. Yet, people like comparing farm life vs. city life. Some believe living in the city is much better due to the particular lifestyle. Their claims are based on the numerous opportunities people have in the city compared to those who live on the farms.

The main purpose of this persuasive essay is to contrast life on the farm to life in the city. By looking at rural and urban lifestyles, this paper will compare farms to cities to decide whether one option is better than the other. First, the essay looks at the similarities between them. Then, it reviews the difference between city life and country life. It concludes that the choice of residence depends on individual preferences.

Living on a farm has been described by many people as the best experience one may have. Some say it is cheap and healthy, while others claim that people brought up on farms have good family values. On the contrary, there are people who believe that living in the city is much better due to the particular life style.

Their claims are based on the numerous opportunities people have in the city compared to those who live on the farms. The main purpose of this paper is to check the differences and the similarities of two considered places and the effect those places have on society.

The similarities between living in the city and living on a farm have been increasing over the years. Such amenities as gas and piped water are usually absent on farms. Moreover, such basic services as top quality healthcare and education with the use of innovative technologies may be absent as well. However, the government has been very instrumental in raising the standards of living in the countryside and presently you will find that just like in the city there is good road infrastructure, health care facilities, and education centers.

Another similarity between life on a farm and life in the city is the economic situation in both places is affected equally. The price of essential commodities, such as gasoline does not differ greatly. Financial turmoil at the international level influences both a farm and a city.

There are many differences between living on a farm and in the city. It is widely known that a place one grows in has a great impact on the way a person perceives life. Behavior is affected, as well. Family is considered as the central institution for many people. The family is always near, and they are the only people one can turn to when things go wrong. A major difference is seen between family values imposed on a person growing up in the city and those applied on a person growing up on the farm.

Almost all young people on the farms live with their families, and they are actively involved in the daily running of the farm. This helps create a strong bond between the family members, which is much needed in creating a strong society. In the city, life is busy, and there is little time to spare for family activities and socialization. Most people in the city are career-oriented. They tend to put more time advancing their careers and neglecting their families.

This can be seen clearly in the way old people are treated in the city. Old members of the family are cared deeply by their families on the farms, while one can find people sending their old members of the family into special homes for the aged in the cities. Such cases are less common on the farms.

Another difference between living on a farm and in the city lies in the way people prioritize their needs and wants. Those who live on farms usually prioritize their needs to their wants. Everything is different from those who live in the cities as they can regard their needs and wants in the same way.

People living on farms have a simple lifestyle and unlike their city flamboyant lifestyle peers. This lifestyle helps people on the farms satisfy their needs. People living in the city are known for their “I need to get it” attitude which makes them indulging and buying the heavily advertised products and services.

Living on a farm can be described as a serene and healthy way of living. It is on a farm you will enjoy most of the beautiful sceneries, fresh air, animals, and fresh foods. Those who live on farms have an opportunity to enjoy eating fresh food, unlike those who prefer cities where most people live on canned food with chemicals which are harmful to human health.

The air in the farms is fresh, and there are few cases of lungs disease or breathing complications reported. In the city, the air is stale and full of smoke, dust, as well as harmful substances. In the farm, you will enjoy seeing animals in their ordinary inhabitance, unlike the city where you will only find them in zoos. The only wild animals one can probably find in the city are rodents and raccoons.

The city offers a person many opportunities that cannot be found in the farms. A person can decide to follow a more rewarding career and enjoy the fine things in life, entertain in clubs, go shopping, etc. Such things cannot be found on the farms.

Each place has its advantages and disadvantages. It is impossible to say that one place is better than another one. It is better to state that one place is more preferable for a particular person than another one. Tastes differ, and people should remember it while dwelling upon differences is living either on a farm or in a city.

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StudyCorgi. (2020, April 27). City Life vs Country Life: Essay on Similarities and Differences. https://studycorgi.com/comparison-of-living-on-a-farm-or-in-the-city/

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Comparison Between City Life and Country Life Essay Example

Inspired by the pastoral scenery they see in movies, some city residents dream about a rural lifestyle. Such a drastic change, in their eyes, is a refuge from the mundane, stressful, and fast-paced nature of urban areas. This notion gains even more traction in the wake of recent environmental trends, notably the desire to avoid pollution. But this idealism might come at a cost: sheer inconvenience, burdensome community life, the need to be self-sustaining, and fewer vocational opportunities. These aspects, and more, are discussed below, weighing in on these starkly different choices.

To begin with, the emotional mindset that accompanies sparsely populated areas provides “breathing room”, literally and metaphorically. Traffic and commotion are replaced with tranquility; greenery 

and lush fields supersede industrial zones; gazing at the stars, strolling through the endless view, or simply gulping some fresh air are commonplace.  

In contrast, some don’t balk at seeing urban sights. Rather, they revel in such dense places. The might of buildings and the influx of people, as well as the meticulously planned public space, may be impressive or even appealing. No wonder New York and London are cultural icons in themselves, and because of their mere landscape. 

In terms of expenses, living in the countryside is more often than not more affordable. Housing, local services, and day-to-day spending are much cheaper. But these residents pay the price in another form: inconvenience. Some opportunities are unavailable in the periphery, including many workplaces.  Moreover, the quality of vital services, such as healthcare and education, is more robust in central cities.

Another pivotal difference between these two lifestyles is the wider community. The larger the town is, the more likely you are, as a resident, to know the people around you. This, encouraging and comforting as it might be, may also take a mental toll. This is because large, estranged, cities provide a sense of privacy, while intimate and insular towns pervade this very area.

As far as technology is concerned, living in the country is a way to escape our near-constant connection to gadgets. This has a dual effect: granting us relief on the one hand but depriving us of the comfort and immediacy of modern life on the other hand.

These are the main factors to consider. Nonetheless, many individual peculiarities are even more influential. The crime rate, for instance, in a certain city is an issue of great importance. Other such factors depend on personal circumstances: family status, mobility, financial situation, age, personal preference, and job opportunities. Culture and public events, such as concerts and the like, are also important to bear in mind.

All in all, the subject in itself is multi-layered and inconclusive. Every side of the question, including the view, finance, the community, technology, accessibility, mobility, the public space, culture, unique propensity, and more, is two-sided.

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Comparing and Contrasting City Life to Country Life

Updated 27 January 2023

Subject Home ,  Myself

Downloads 50

Category Life

Topic City ,  My City

People live in a variety of ways. Country life and city life are two distinct ways of life. The two differ in terms of housing costs, work opportunities, and the general climate. These distinctions can lead people to believe that city life is superior to country life, and vice versa. People who are born and raised in cities always wonder if their lives would be different if they were raised in the region. Others agree that the city's extremely healthy lifestyle would have many benefits. Nonetheless, others would argue that the quiet and calm environment of the countryside is much more desirable. Many people shift from the city to the country to elope from the busy environment. Similarly, farmers have sold their animals and tractors to move into the fast-paced life in the city. Of course not every big town is the same as the other nor is all areas in the countryside similar. The long-time question has afflicted many who wonder if they should reside in the country or reside in the city. There are plenty of benefits and drawbacks to selecting a way of life in either background, and careful investigation of all elements is required to make a sound decision. This paper aims to compare and contrast city life to country life from the perspectives of Bonnie Ann’s “Being Country” and “The allegory cave” by Plato. The two literary works will be used to consider the differences between the two lifestyles and finally conclude that the lifestyle in the country is a lot better and relaxed unlike the lifestyle in the city. Comparison based on Literary Works In “Being Country,” the author disputes the cultural model of life in the countryside in 1964 as it connects to others’ expectations and what is considered important by others. She is quoted saying, “I suppose the desire to go to town helped make me ambitious, and the allure of the worlds came over the radio also helped. But the rewards of growing up on a farm were far greater in many ways than life in town” (Bobbie, 2017 p 11). Based on the information found in the narrative, some individuals can connect entirely to the author’s country life, but there are those who cannot relate because they were raised in the city. Living in the countryside make some children feel as if they are missing out on something when in the real sense they are not. On the other hand, children living in the city are blocked from the reality by the modern life they lead. They spend too much time behind walls engrossed in watching TV, playing computer games and miss out of the existence of life that can only be experienced in the country. In the real sense, people living in the city miss out on reality, whereas country dwellers don’t miss out on anything real because most of what is in the town are either imagined, artificial and may have originated from the country. Some young people know nothing about their parent's childhood lives. In Bobbie Mason’s case, she was not aware of her parent's childhood lives. At eleven she failed to understand that during her parents’ time they were required to focus on farm work. Majority of children during the period of Bobbie’s parents could not afford to get an education. Therefore their parents only focused on farming for survival. Despite the different setting of country life and city life, people have to work hard in both environments to earn a living. There is a general misconception that jobs are only found in cities yet even working on the farm in the country is considered a job because it brings food to the table. However operating in the country is more fulfilling because it connects one to nature unlike in the city when workers have to brave pollutions of the town regarding noise, air and water pollution due to the crowded industries in cities. In “The Allegory of the Cave, “Plato (2010 9 12) describes the cave of the world. In the narrative, it is very dark in the cave as there is hardly any light or objects inside it. Some people are seen chained on their feet and neck, and their movement is unlimited. At the same time, another world exists outside the realm of the cave, however, between the two societies, there is a raised wall. Many people move along the wall holding a variety of things, and their shadows are seen in the world of the cave. The people in the cave are unable to lift their heads entirely hence can only observe shadows as an illusion. The author says “How could they see anything but the shadows if they were never allowed to move their heads?”(Plato, 2010 p 16). They believe these shadows are real yet it is just illusion in their mind. The cave offers an illustration of peoples’ lives in the city that has no freedom. People in the countryside can have the first experience of watching the birth of a new calf while city dwellers may only watch this on TV. This scenario is well depicted in “Being Country” as the author narrates the kind of life she lived in the country. On the other hand, Plato (2010) illustrates how modern technology and advancement control lifestyles of individuals who are residing in the city, making them prisoners. There is complete freedom in the lifestyle of the country unlike in the city where modern technology controls people. City dwellers are likened to the people chained in the cave. Advertisement does not only influence their lifestyles but, internet, magazines, and general media are in control of just every city life. Propaganda is used in the media to get people act in a certain way and to depict anything on the market as a necessity. Companies use false advertisement, glittering generalities, and celebrities to entice customers for their products. In the countryside, people do not place much focus on the type of clothing their wear due to the limited choices they have. However the city, people buy the latest fashion to fit in the media. People living in the town are in the cave thick and similar to the one described by Plato. While true nature and reality inspire people living in the country due to the natural environment, the city is a life full of fake and the existence of too much manipulation erases reality form people.

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Conclusion It is evident that country life and City life are two different settings. People who live in the country setting may feel that they are missing out on something because they have not experienced the other background. On the other hand, some people may be blinded and feel satisfied with the kind of life in town because it is livelier hence, fail to realize how more natural and fulfilling country life can be. The country scenario is well portrayed by Bobbie in ‘Being Country” while Plato well portrays the prison-like life of the city in the “Allegory of the cave.” The lifestyle in the country is real, a lot better and relaxed and has a lot of freedom unlike the lifestyle in the city which is artificial and manipulative with less freedom to enjoy nature. Works Cited Bobbie, A. M. Being Country. New York, N.Y., Penguin Books, 2017,. Plato. The Allegory Of The Cave. [Brea, CA], P & L Publication, 2010,.

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Compare and Contrast Essay Example: Country Life vs. City Life

A former San Diego City College student explored the intriguing subject of Country life vs City life. The essay delves into the contrasts and comparisons between these two lifestyles, providing insights valuable for anyone grappling with the decision to choose between the tranquility of the countryside or the opportunities of city living. This example, "Comparing and Contrasting City Life to Country Life," is published to guide students' endeavors.

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Table of Contents:

• Introduction: Country Life vs City Life
• Environment: Comparing and Contrasting
• Economic Opportunities in City Life
• Country Life: Cost Considerations
• Social Life: City vs Country

Introduction

County life and City life offer two different lifestyles which significantly affect how people live. The difference in the type of living includes the environment, economic opportunities, and the quality of social life. People often have varying opinions while choosing between the country and city life. Some argue that city life is the best place to live at since it offers many economic and social opportunities over the country life; while other thinks that the country life is the best place to live due to its relaxed environment. Both city and country life have important features that can help people choose where they are more likely to live a happy and prosperous life.

Environment

The environment is the most differing feature between the country and the city life. The countryside has less pollution and noise due to fewer factories and population. The city life is more populated with more factories and automobiles which significantly contribute to noise and pollution. People living in the countryside are much closer to the gifts of nature and thus in additions to the fresh breathing air have the privilege to eat fresh foods harvested directly from the farms. On the contrary, in the city life farm produce foods such as vegetable, fruits, and animal products are usually stored with perseverative and can pose serious health harms. The fact that the country life offer less polluted air, clean water, and food make it more ideal place for healthy living.

Economic Opportunities

The city life offers many economic opportunities and advantages as compared to the countryside which relies heavily on agricultural economic activities. The use and availability of modern technologies such as in communication, transportation gives the city life an added advantage over the countryside. These technologies used in various sectors of economy offers the city residents more job opportunities, as compared to the smaller job market in the country. While people in the countryside depend on their farm for a living, the city residents find it easier to adjust to different job opportunities. Since the cities have many large companies and factories, jobs and economic opportunities are more in comparison to the countryside.

In spite of having more job and economic opportunities, the cost of living in the city is much higher than the country. Good in the city especially food and housing are more expensive in the city. Though the country life has fewer economic opportunities as compared to the city life, it is less costly since most people have less financial expenses.

Social Life

The quality of social life in the city and countryside is a debatable topic and usually, vary on an individual basis. Many people believe that the city life offers tumultuous and quality social life in all life areas including, professional, intellectual, emotional, physical, and entertainment. The city life offers a greater number of possibilities in all social life areas. People in the city can gain more versatile social knowledge as compared to the countryside. The success of ones professional life leads to a successful social life. People living in the city get the opportunity to meet and interact with other people of different nationality, social background, culture, and regional beliefs on a daily basis. Different and many social places available in the city such as museums, parks, bars, stadiums, zoos, theaters, cinemas allows city residents to broaden their social lives.

There are many different factors to consider while comparing the country life and the city life. The lifestyle in the country and city life differs in terms of factors such as economic opportunities, social life, and environmental factors. People living in the city have less control on the quality of their environment as compared to residents in the countryside. On the other hand, people residing in the city are presented with a wide variety of economic opportunities and social life than residents in the countryside.

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15 Reasons Country Life Beats City Life Hands-Down

Posted by Kristen Boye on December 29, 2020

If you’re thinking of moving outside the city, you probably have a lot of questions about what it will be like. This article paints a picture of modern country life based on 6+ years of talking to country people, researching country land, interviewing land buying experts, learning about all aspects of country and small town life, writing hundreds of articles and eGuides, and living in the country ourselves.

To say that big city life has changed in the last few months would be the understatement of the century!

And while every city has fared differently amidst the pandemic, the work from home movement and other events have given people new cause to consider relocating outside city limits.

In my neck of the rural woods, Western North Carolina, homes and land are going like hotcakes, often snapped up within hours of listing at or above asking price. This area has always been desirable for its natural beauty and outdoor spaces, but the market wasn’t quite like this pre-COVID.

The same thing is happening all over the world with reports of properties being in high-demand in suburban and rural places, as rent and home values in many big cities are either already plummeting or trending in that direction[1],[2].

If you’re toying with the idea of moving outside the city, you probably have a lot of questions about what it will be like—especially if you’ve never lived in a rural place before. To help paint a picture, we’ve compiled a list of 15 reasons country life beats city life. This list is based on 6+ years of talking to country people, researching country land, interviewing land buying experts, learning about all aspects of country and small town life, writing hundreds of articles and eGuides, and living in the country ourselves.

#1: More space

One of the biggest draws to country life is the prospect of more space. 

Space to breathe, space to start a hobby farm or homestead and space to live your best life without restrictions on precious freedoms.

In the COVID era this is especially important to families who desperately want space for their children to roam and play safely. Having more outdoor space not only creates an awesome opportunity for play and adventure, it also provides a peaceful and private backdrop for parents to work from home and enjoy a variety of hobbies.

#2: More property and more house for your money

If you’ve never looked for a home or land in the country before you’ll be absolutely SHOCKED at how much you can get for your money (especially if you’ve been living in a desirable city).

For example, in Nassau County, Florida—which feels very rural yet is a stone’s throw away from beautiful beaches, culture, great schools, etc., you can buy land for as little as $10,000 an acre! 

Or in Walker County Texas, you can get a 20 acre plot of rural land for just over $110,000 with a driveway and fencing in place. 

Imagine if you sold your home in the city for $350,000-$1,000,000...that leaves you hundreds of thousands to either build your dream home/property and/or save for the future. It truly is remarkable how far your hard-earned money can go when you move outside city limits.

#3: You can make your land work for you

Photo courtesy of Jill Houser Photography

Over the years, we’ve featured a variety of former city-slickers who are making their rural land work for them; either as their primary income or a side hustle. Some of the ways they did this include:

• Shepherding and dog training
• Starting up a nature-based preschool
• Vegetable farming on small acreage   
• Starting a farm to fork business
• Growing elderberries and selling herbal products
• Sustainable ranching
• A lavender farm
• Running a mountain bike retreat
• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
• Running an Airbnb
• A backyard flower nursery
• A Barn Events Venue
• Growing medicinal mushrooms and selling tinctures

...and that’s just a short list! Get even more inspired in: 8 Weird and Wonderful Ways to Make Money Off your Land .

#4: More exposure to trees

This may seem like a small thing, but a growing body of research has shown that human beings are physically and mentally healthier when they spend time around trees. 

For example, trees naturally release immune-boosting essential oils known as phytoncides which help increase natural killer cells and boost levels of anti-cancer proteins[3]. Time spent around trees has also been shown to reduce anxiety, stress, heart disease, hypertension, blood glucose issues, obesity, high cholesterol, stroke, myocardial infarction and diabetes[4].

Learn more in: “Want to be Healthier? Live Near Trees, Studies Say”

#5: Less stress for adults and less life-long stress for children

If you’ve had a feeling that getting out of the city would be good for your family’s mental and emotional health, then you’ll feel validated by this.

 A study published by the journal Nature[5] found those who lived in cities had:

• a 21% increase in mood disorders;
• a 39% increase in anxiety disorders; and
• double the risk of having schizophrenia as those living in rural areas.

MRI scans performed on the study’s urban-dweller subjects revealed an increased activity in the amygdala region of the brain, which plays a key role in emotions such as fear and anxiety and the release of stress-related hormones.

But it gets even more interesting when it comes to children. 

The MRI scans performed on city-dwelling children showed an increased activity in the area of the brain that helps regulate the amygdala region. 

The study showed children raised in the city are more likely to have a permanently heightened sensitivity to stress than those who move to a city later in life.

We explore more about the rural lifestyle/stress connection in:: “ How Rural Living Helps You Stress Less and Live Longer ”.

#6: Good healthcare

People often worry they will have to sacrifice quality healthcare if they move outside the city. 

However, many rural places offer excellent healthcare options including bringing in doctors and specialists from the city to see patients. Plus, with the increase in telemedicine options you may even be able to keep seeing some of your existing providers online. It’s also worth noting that though there are no guarantees, small-town hospitals are less likely to be overwhelmed during a national or global health crisis (such as COVID) due to smaller population density.

I experienced one surprising “perk” of rural healthcare personally several years ago when we had our first baby in small-town North Georgia...and had the entire maternity ward and staff of 4 nurses to ourselves! It was an incredibly sweet and personalized experience that would not have been possible in a city or suburban hospital setting.

The key here is to research the healthcare options available in your desired rural area.

You can learn more in: Healthcare in Rural America: Can You Get Good Care in the Country?.

#7: More freedom to build the home You   Want

Rural land parcels typically do not come with strict limitations on the type of home and outbuildings you can design and build. Which means you can truly create a unique place to call your own.

We’ve written about many outside the box home options including, earth sheltered homes , tiny homes , kit homes , barndominiums , cob/straw bale homes and unique custom home designs . 

However, not all land parcels come with zero restrictions...and that’s usually a good thing. 

Depending on where you buy there may be zoning requirements or what’s known as covenants, conditions and restrictions which serve to protect your investment by holding properties to certain standards. 

Learn all about it in: How Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions Help Protect Your Investment .

#8: Traffic? What traffic?

Imagine how many hours of your LIFE you could get back if you didn’t have to sit in traffic and stop at stop lights every few feet? Plus, with so many products available online these days you can get nearly anything delivered to your farmhouse door, no matter where you live.

#9: The Freedom to be as Self-Sufficient as you Please

Country life offers so many opportunities to expand your level of self sufficiency. 

Just the mere fact that you’ll have more space means you can: 

• Start a garden
• Learn to hunt (or sharpen your skills) 
• Catch your own fish 
• Build a smoker
• Chop your own firewood 
• Build a root cellar
• Get off-grid with wind or solar...without it taking over your whole yard (or roof)
• Keep farm animals or milk, eggs, or meat
• Practice primitive skills
• And much more

Check out our free eGuide: From City Slicker to Self Sufficient to learn more.

#10: Stronger Immunity

We were pretty amazed when we started digging into the health benefits of rural living...especially when it comes to strengthening your immune system by creating a healthier gut microbiome.

This is especially prevalent on farms, where farmers are exposed to a variety of germs from farm animals, soil, compost, barn dust, homegrown food and plenty of time in the fresh air. These good germs help diversify our gut microbiomes while safely challenging our immune systems, which creates strength and resiliency.

Intrigued? We explore the concept further in: “Could Country Living Be Your Best Probiotic?”

#11: Less pollution

In general, rural areas have less air pollution than big cities; which means no more “red” or “orange” pollution alert days, and less risk to those with lung issues. 

But what’s less talked about is the lack of noise pollution in the country, which can benefit your heart, stress response, sleep, nervous system, and hearing[6].

#12: Strong communities

If there’s one commonality we’ve observed throughout our dozens of interviews with rural people it is how much they value their tight-knit communities. 

Comments like, “people watch out for each other and each other’s children”, “it’s nice to run into your child’s teacher at the store” and “business owners out here really do help each other out”, run through rural stories like a common thread.

Strong communities certainly exist in all types of places, but people in small towns and rural areas do seem to take a special kind of pride and care in staying connected with the people around them.

#13: Great food!

Small towns typically aren’t associated with world-class restaurants or gourmet markets. However, you can’t beat rural places for an amazing selection of super fresh and super healthy locally-grown food.

Many farms still put up seasonal farm stands where you can purchase fresh fruit, veggies, local honey and even meats and dairy products for a bargain.

Small towns also host farmer’s markets featuring local farms and artisans, and there are co-ops and delivery services throughout the country that make supporting your local farmers easy, affordable and healthy. 

You may even find some of the same grass-fed beef or organic pastured eggs you’d buy from your big-city market at your local country store, only fresher and a lot cheaper.

#14: Healthier kids

The research backing the physical, mental and emotional health benefits of country living and farm life for children is pretty impressive. 

For example, after years of speculation researchers believe they’ve figured out at least two of the reasons Amish children are so much healthier than city kids. The first reason is barn dust, which they believe strengthens the childrens’ lungs and immune system making them less susceptible to asthma and allergies[7]. The second reason is their consumption of raw milk and exposure to farm animals, which diversifies their microbiomes making them more resistant to common childhood diseases[8].

Country living, with its close proximity to nature, reduced noise pollution and irresistible backdrop for unstructured play, lends itself to a less stressful childhood. This benefits children in numerous ways---from better sleep and sharper cognitive skills to higher emotional intelligence and overall happiness.

Read more in our eGuide: “ How Country Life Makes Children Strong and Resilient ”.

#15: Amazing stars (and some perspective)

Did you know light pollution from urban areas has become so intense that scientists now say one-third of the population (and 80% of Americans) can no longer see the Milky Way[9]?

Sure, we have our star gazing apps to help us navigate what we can no longer see with the naked eye…

....but let’s be honest, no app can hold a candle to the experience of gazing up at a clear night’s sky from a big empty field or big gnarly tree branch.

Stargazing in the country is one of those little pleasures that takes us back a few years, gives us humble perspective and reminds us of the greater, intelligent universe around us.

It can stop the busiest person in their tracks, and reminds us of the innate beauty, vastness and consistency that surrounds and connects us all.

It may seem like a small thing, but these days a little natural beauty and perspective can go a long way to creating fulfillment and happiness!

References:

1: https://theharrispoll.com/the-american-dream-remodeled/  

2: https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/u-k-sees-big-spike-in-city-dwellers-considering-the-country-218194  

3: https://www.nature.com/articles/srep11610  

4: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140411153322.htm

5: https://www.nature.com/articles/nature10190 https://rethinkrural.raydientplaces.com/blog/how-rural-living-helps-you-stress-less-and-live-longer  

6: https://www.who.int/quantifying_ehimpacts/publications/e94888/en/  

7: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1508749  

8: https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749%2812%2900519-2/fulltext  

9: https://astronomy.com/news/2016/06/one-third-of-humanity-cant-see-the-milky-way

Kristen Boye

Kristen Boye is the editor of Rethink:Rural and the owner of Holistic Writing Concepts---a copy and content writing company specializing in the natural health and green living markets. Kristen lives with her husband and two children on their medicinal herb farm in beautiful rural Western North Carolina. Visit her online at: www.holisticwritingconcepts.com

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Essay compare city life and country life

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City vs. country living: which is the right lifestyle for you.

This article is for educational purposes only. JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. does not offer this type of loan. Any information described in this article may vary by lender.

Recent events have many of us reevaluating our lifestyle and making big decisions surrounding what we want our future to look like. Some of us have embraced our big backyards with room to run, while others have taken advantage of vacancies in metropolitan areas to live out their city dreams.

The reality is that one isn’t necessarily better than the other. We all see the world through different lenses. What’s good for you may not be good for your neighbor, and what is good for you today may not be good for you tomorrow.

It’s possible you’re on the fence about what’s next when it comes to city versus country living, so we’re here to help you explore the pros and cons of each.

The differences between city vs. country living

There are many differences between city and country living. When you think of a city, you think of constant activities and culture. You can run downstairs for a snack in the middle of the night and there‘s a good chance you’ll find several 24-hour spots. When you think of country living, your mind usually jumps to nature and wholesome, peaceful activities like campfires and catching fireflies under the stars.

You may also think living in the country makes it difficult to access goods or services. Years ago, you would be right — city living allowed for large markets with specialized goods and services, but today transportation and streamlined supply chain management makes a lot of those goods and services accessible to people in the country. We even have delivery companies with guaranteed next day shipment. Granted, there are certain experiences where a delivery service just won’t cut it, and the convenience of picking something up within the hour is always tempting.

Another disparity between city and country living is the job market. As you move closer to the city, wages tend to be higher as metropolitan area density doubles. In parallel with that, so does housing. But you have cultural assets that make up for this price disparity. Another reality about city living is that crime rate is typically higher, but being prepared and knowing what to look out for can help.

Pros and cons of city living

Pros of city living.

There’s an endless list of pros when it comes to city living. A big standout is your access to almost anything at your fingertips. You can go out to dinner, see a show, visit a museum and take a walk through the park all in one day with time to spare.

This goes hand in hand with culture and diversity. The exposure you get to different people from all walks of life is important, especially in the world we live in today. This type of living exposes you to amazing new food, music, fashion, languages and more.

Another benefit of city living is job opportunities. There is much more to take advantage of in this realm because there is more going on. If you are a young person starting your career this will often take you to a new city. There are always new things happening that you can check out with friends and there are more people to meet, which can make dating in cities easier too.

Although city living might not have the same nature scenes found in the country, you can still find beautiful parks to spend a sunny day in. If you want to get out of the city, you have easy access to planes, trains and automobiles that can get you there.

Cons of city living

 Although there’s a lot to do in a city, this can be overwhelming. Instead of spending a leisurely day at home, you may feel pressed to constantly take advantage of what’s at your disposal. There’s a lot of anxiety that can come with this type of lifestyle. The fear of missing out may keep you from a day of rest you really needed for your mental health.

Constant stimulus around you can sometimes numb you to the small wonders in life. City living can feel like a bubble, and there’s always something bigger and better going on. This can make some people jaded, or it can have an adverse effect and may make you appreciate the smaller things.

Not only is housing more expensive, but so is the overall cost of living. This may make it harder to save money for the future. If you plan on raising a family, this is something to consider as well. Not only is raising a family in the city much more expensive, but an entirely unique experience for a child. Depending on where you live, an unfortunate city reality is that private schools are expensive and public schools may not be the best. This is not always the case, but something to consider.

A life in the city could mean a life without a lot of nature. There is a lack of open space compared to the country and it’s usually expensive to live in a building with patios or a roof. On top of this, cities are more polluted than the country so your air quality may not be the best.

Pros and cons of country living

Pros of country living.

There’s no doubt that there is something extremely charming about country living. Open space, peace and quiet and clean air make this an appealing option. There is an overall connection with nature that you don’t usually get in a big city.  

You can likely find a bigger living space on acres of land for less money than you’d spend on an 800 square foot apartment in a city. The goods and services are usually more affordable depending on your income and expenses.

Since there is less to do, there is more time to take it easy. You can get outside and go on a leisurely walk, take up gardening or head to a local farm stand for fresh produce.

If you’re looking to raise a family with room for your kids to run around and explore, they can grow up playing outside with fresh air and room to grow.

Cons of country living

Like any place, there are cons to country living. Considering the open space and smaller population, a country living experience can be a bit isolating. You may have to drive miles for essentials or even to see your neighbor. In the event of an emergency, this could be time consuming and inconvenient.

If you live in a small town, you may have less privacy in your personal life. And with less people around there are less chances to meet someone special or make new friends.

Oftentimes, the countryside has limited options. This means a smaller variety of cuisine, culture and shops.

When you live in the country, a car is a necessity. The ease of public transportation isn’t as accessible. The added expense of having a car and its maintenance is a big consideration when relocating. This can make travel much more expensive too. Private airports are usually very expensive which will make air travel more challenging, and the distance to get to a big airport may be a hassle.

Finally, there is a lot of manual labor that comes along with country living. Home repairs, mowing your lawn, watering your plants and the general up of taking care of a home.

Can’t choose? How to get the best of both worlds

It doesn’t have to be one or the other when it comes to city or country living, especially if you’re on the fence.

The suburbs are a clever way to get the best of both worlds. A major city is just a car or train ride away, but you still live in a four-bedroom house on an acre of land. Unfortunately, the suburbs can be just as expensive as a city but can provide you with the space and lifestyle you’re looking for out in the country.

Many people are moving out of cities into the suburbs. A major example of this best of both worlds' mentality are places like Long Island, NY or the suburbs surrounding San Francisco. There are parks, beaches and good public school systems — yet you can hop on the train and be in a major city within the hour.

The influx of city dwellers into the suburbs is raising prices dramatically but can give you the lifestyle you’re looking for without having to compromise city versus country.

So where do I go? City, country or suburbs?

After weighing the pros and cons of city vs country living, you should be able to prioritize your needs and wants. You may enjoy the city in your 20s and decide to move to the suburbs in your 30s, or you may come from the country and decide you’re better suited for the city.  Whatever you do, we’re here to help you on your journey.

Take the first step and get preapproved.

Have questions connect with a home lending expert today.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Welfare — City Life Is Better Than Country Life

City Life is Better than Country Life

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Published: Feb 8, 2022

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Essays About Life: Top 5 Examples Plus 7 Prompts

Life envelops various meanings; if you are writing essays about life, discover our comprehensive guide with examples and prompts to help you with your essay.

What is life? You can ask anyone; I assure you, no two people will have the same answer. How we define life relies on our beliefs and priorities. One can say that life is the capacity for growth or the time between birth and death. Others can share that life is the constant pursuit of purpose and fulfillment. Life is a broad topic that inspires scholars, poets, and many others. It stimulates discussions that encourage diverse perspectives and interpretations. 

5 Essay Examples

1. essay on life by anonymous on toppr.com, 2. the theme of life, existence and consciousness by anonymous on gradesfixer.com, 3. compassion can save life by anonymous on papersowl.com, 4. a life of consumption vs. a life of self-realization by anonymous on ivypanda.com, 5. you only live once: a motto for life by anonymous on gradesfixer.com, 1. what is the true meaning of life, 2. my life purpose, 3. what makes life special, 4. how to appreciate life, 5. books about life, 6. how to live a healthy life, 7. my idea of a perfect life.

“…quality of Life carries huge importance. Above all, the ultimate purpose should be to live a meaningful life. A meaningful life is one which allows us to connect with our deeper self.”

The author defines life as something that differentiates man from inorganic matter. It’s an aspect that processes and examines a person’s actions that develop through growth. For some, life is a pain because of failures and struggles, but it’s temporary. For the writer, life’s challenges help us move forward, be strong, and live to the fullest. You can also check out these essays about utopia .

“… Kafka defines the dangers of depending on art for life. The hunger artist expresses his dissatisfaction with the world by using himself and not an external canvas to create his artwork, forcing a lack of separation between the artist and his art. Therefore, instead of the art depending on the audience, the artist depends on the audience, meaning when the audience’s appreciation for work dwindles, their appreciation for the artist diminishes as well, leading to the hunger artist’s death.”

The essay talks about “ A Hunger Artist ” by Franz Kafka, who describes his views on life through art. The author analyzes Kafka’s fictional main character and his anxieties and frustrations about life and the world. This perception shows how much he suffered as an artist and how unhappy he was. Through the essay, the writer effectively explains Kafka’s conclusion that artists’ survival should not depend on their art.

“Compassion is that feeling that we’ve all experienced at some point in our lives. When we know that there is someone that really cares for us. Compassion comes from that moment when we can see the world through another person’s eyes.”

The author is a nurse who believes that to be professional, they need to be compassionate and treat their patients with respect, empathy, and dignity. One can show compassion through small actions such as talking and listening to patients’ grievances. In conclusion, compassion can save a person’s life by accepting everyone regardless of race, gender, etc.

“… A life of self-realization is more preferable and beneficial in comparison with a life on consumption. At the same time, this statement may be objected as person’s consumption leads to his or her happiness.”

The author examines Jon Elster’s theory to find out what makes a person happy and what people should think and feel about their material belongings. The essay mentions a list of common activities that make us feel happy and satisfied, such as buying new things. The writer explains that Elster’s statement about the prevalence of self-realization in consumption will always trigger intense debate.

“Appreciate the moment you’ve been given and appreciate the people you’ve been given to spend it with, because no matter how beautiful or tragic a moment is, it always ends. So hold on a little tighter, smile a little bigger, cry a little harder, laugh a little louder, forgive a little quicker, and love a whole lot deeper because these are the moments you will remember when you’re old and wishing you could rewind time.”

This essay explains that some things and events only happen once in a person’s life. The author encourages teenagers to enjoy the little things in their life and do what they love as much as they can. When they turn into adults, they will no longer have the luxury to do whatever they want.

The author suggests doing something meaningful as a stress reliever, trusting people, refusing to give up on the things that make you happy, and dying with beautiful memories. For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers .

7 Prompts for Essays About Life

Life encompasses many values and depends on one’s perception. For most, life is about reaching achievements to make themselves feel alive. Use this prompt to compile different meanings of life and provide a background on why a person defines life as they do.

Take Joseph Campbell’s, “Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning, and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer,” for example. This quote pertains to his belief that an individual is responsible for giving life meaning. 

For this prompt, share with your readers your current purpose in life. It can be as simple as helping your siblings graduate or something grand, such as changing a national law to make a better world. You can ask others about their life purpose to include in your essay and give your opinion on why your answers are different or similar.

Life is a fascinating subject, as each person has a unique concept. How someone lives depends on many factors, such as opportunities, upbringing, and philosophies. All of these elements affect what we consider “special.”

Share what you think makes life special. For instance, talk about your relationships, such as your close-knit family or best friends. Write about the times when you thought life was worth living. You might also be interested in these essays about yourself .

Life in itself is a gift. However, most of us follow a routine of “wake up, work (or study), sleep, repeat.” Our constant need to survive makes us take things for granted. When we endlessly repeat a routine, life becomes mundane. For this prompt, offer tips on how to avoid a monotonous life, such as keeping a gratitude journal or traveling.

Many literary pieces use life as their subject. If you have a favorite book about life, recommend it to your readers by summarizing the content and sharing how the book influenced your outlook on life. You can suggest more than one book and explain why everyone should read them.

For example, Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist” reminds its readers to live in the moment and never fear failure.

To be healthy doesn’t only pertain to our physical condition. It also refers to our mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being. To live a happy and full life, individuals must strive to be healthy in all areas. For this prompt, list ways to achieve a healthy life. Section your essay and present activities to improve health, such as eating healthy foods, talking with friends, etc.

No one has a perfect life, but describe what it’ll be like if you do. Start with the material things, such as your house, clothes, etc. Then, move to how you connect with others. In your conclusion, answer whether you’re willing to exchange your current life for the “perfect life” you described and why.  See our essay writing tips to learn more!

Maria Caballero is a freelance writer who has been writing since high school. She believes that to be a writer doesn't only refer to excellent syntax and semantics but also knowing how to weave words together to communicate to any reader effectively.

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Essay on Life for Students and Children

500+ words essay on life.

First of all, Life refers to an aspect of existence. This aspect processes acts, evaluates, and evolves through growth. Life is what distinguishes humans from inorganic matter. Some individuals certainly enjoy free will in Life. Others like slaves and prisoners don’t have that privilege. However, Life isn’t just about living independently in society. It is certainly much more than that. Hence, quality of Life carries huge importance. Above all, the ultimate purpose should be to live a meaningful life. A meaningful life is one which allows us to connect with our deeper self.

Why is Life Important?

One important aspect of Life is that it keeps going forward. This means nothing is permanent. Hence, there should be a reason to stay in dejection. A happy occasion will come to pass, just like a sad one. Above all, one must be optimistic no matter how bad things get. This is because nothing will stay forever. Every situation, occasion, and event shall pass. This is certainly a beauty of Life.

Many people become very sad because of failures . However, these people certainly fail to see the bright side. The bright side is that there is a reason for every failure. Therefore, every failure teaches us a valuable lesson. This means every failure builds experience. This experience is what improves the skills and efficiency of humans.

Probably a huge number of individuals complain that Life is a pain. Many people believe that the word pain is a synonym for Life. However, it is pain that makes us stronger. Pain is certainly an excellent way of increasing mental resilience. Above all, pain enriches the mind.

The uncertainty of death is what makes life so precious. No one knows the hour of one’s death. This probably is the most important reason to live life to the fullest. Staying in depression or being a workaholic is an utter wastage of Life. One must certainly enjoy the beautiful blessings of Life before death overtakes.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

How to Improve Quality of Life?

Most noteworthy, optimism is the ultimate way of enriching life. Optimism increases job performance, self-confidence, creativity, and skills. An optimistic person certainly can overcome huge hurdles.

Meditation is another useful way of improving Life quality. Meditation probably allows a person to dwell upon his past. This way one can avoid past mistakes. It also gives peace of mind to an individual. Furthermore, meditation reduces stress and tension.

Pursuing a hobby is a perfect way to bring meaning to life. Without a passion or interest, an individual’s life would probably be dull. Following a hobby certainly brings new energy to life. It provides new hope to live and experience Life.

In conclusion, Life is not something that one should take for granted. It’s certainly a shame to see individuals waste away their lives. We should be very thankful for experiencing our lives. Above all, everyone should try to make their life more meaningful.

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Farmers want newcomers to educate themselves on risks as regional migration trend continues

ABC Rural Farmers want newcomers to educate themselves on risks as regional migration trend continues

More Australians are trading the hustle and bustle of the city for a quieter life in the country as the post-pandemic regional exodus  continues.

And with the prospect of cheaper prices, plenty of space and perhaps a bit more free time, you can't blame them.

But before you settle on a lifestyle bush block, farmers say there are a few things you should know.

How many people are making the country change?

Eliza Owen from property data and analytics firm CoreLogic said there had been a huge increase in the number of people relocating to regional towns over the past few years.

"In the September quarter of last year, there were roughly 7,500 people added to regional Australia from cities. That's above the pre-COVID decade average of 4,700 a quarter," she said.

There were multiple driving factors behind the move, but affordability remained one of the key motivators.

But Ms Owen said when it came to purchasing a block of land or even establishing a hobby farm, there was another reason people might be seeking out these properties.

"That's been aided by the normalisation of remote work and hybrid work arrangements through the pandemic," she said.

"Through the pandemic period, in particular, people realised the importance of their home and their land because they were spending more time there.

"So that's something that may have revitalised an interest in hobby farms and could be drawing more demand to these rural and regional markets."

Biosecurity is a real threat

Kylie Leahy is a goat farmer near Mackay and, on her patch of tropical paradise, her stud is booming.

But she knows it could all be taken away if a disease outbreak were to rip through her property.

Although most established farmers know how to keep their animals safe from disease, she was worried the growing number of newcomers to the industry were not as aware.

"We have a lot of people from different backgrounds who've moved out, got a small acreage, fenced a paddock, and thought: 'I've got a paddock so I can have some animals'," Ms Leahy said.

"There are some pretty nasty diseases out there. And if we don't have people aware of what's going on, we could have some very bad things happen."

The ex-teacher is now part of a network of goat farmers based across Queensland called QGoat, who run workshops to educate newcomers.

"The more we get the biosecurity message out there … hopefully we'll have more people doing the right thing for everybody."

So what do you need to know?

Certain risks accompany a move to the country, although the risks differ depending on the location.

But an outbreak of disease, an invasive pest, or unwelcome weeds on one property can have devastating impacts on Australia's food production.

In the red meat industry, for example, an outbreak of certain diseases can mean a loss of access to export markets and can put human health at risk if infected meat is consumed.

Elizabeth Bradley is the manager of quality, policy, and compliance at Integrity Systems, which oversees Australia's red meat industry.

She said some hobby farmers might not be aware of the requirements when it came to owning animals.

"If someone is moving from the city into a rural area, they might not know you can't have a pet goat without having a property identification code and following the National Livestock Identification requirements," Ms Bradley said.

"[This] is the requirement to identify livestock with tags and record their movements in the database."

Ms Bradley said they may also be unaware of the need for biosecurity controls to be implemented around people, equipment, or pests coming onto the property that could cause harm to livestock.

Stuart Kearns is the national manager for preparedness with Plant Health Australia, and he said similar issues could arise for industries like horticulture where some exotic diseases could cause the loss of an entire crop.

He had a simple message for first-time owners: "Come clean, go clean".

"When you come home, make sure your vehicles, your boots, whatever you're bringing on is clean, and when you're leaving the place, make sure you're not spreading any pests or disease or weeds," Mr Kearns said.

He said owners should also become familiar with what plants and animals were native to the area so they could report anything unusual.

Manager of emergency animal disease projects for Queensland's Department of Agriculture and Fisheries David McMahon said it was ultimately "about asking questions of people who understand those risks."

"When it comes to weeds, you get a lot of valuable information from local nurseries, local councils," he said.

"For livestock, livestock agents across the country are knowledgeable about what you should be looking out for in your district, and local veterinarians come with extreme knowledge on managing animals."

But Mr McMahon said it was also essential that new property owners educated themselves.

"It's just as important that you, as the individual, make sure you take [your] responsibility seriously and go and find that information out."

ABC Rural news daily

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Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico shot in assassination attempt

The populist prime minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico , was "fighting for his life" Wednesday after he was shot multiple times in an "attempted assassination," his party's officials said.

Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák told reporters that doctors operated into the evening and that Fico's condition was extremely serious.

"We've experienced a very tragic day, which means the prime minister is fighting for his life," Kaliňák said, according to local reports.

Late Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Tomas Taraba offered an update to the BBC, saying Fico was "not in a life-threatening situation at this moment."

Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok earlier reporters that the gunman shot Fico five times. A suspect was arrested, officials said; a motive was not immediately clear.

Šutaj Eštok said an initial investigation found “a clear political motivation.”

Fico’s Facebook page said he was taken to a hospital in Banská Bystrica rather than in the capital, Bratislava, because "it would take too long considering the urgency of the matter."

At a news conference after the attack , President Zuzana Čaputová confirmed an arrest of a suspect and said police would provide further information.

“Until then, let us not pass quick judgments, please,” she said.

A reporter for the Slovak news agency TASR said several shots were fired in the town of Handlova, about 110 miles northeast of Bratislava. Fico was greeting members of the public after a government meeting, it reported.

Čaputová confirmed the attack on Fico, 59, shortly after the news broke.

“Utterly shocked by today’s brutal and reckless attack on #Slovakia ’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, which I condemn in strongest possible terms,” she said in a message on X . “I wish him lot of strength in this critical moment and early recovery. My thoughts are also with his family and close ones,” she added.

Photos on news agencies showed a man appearing to be detained in Handlova. Video captured at the scene and shared on social media showed another man being carried into a car by security staffers in dark suits.

Fico was elected in October as leader of the leftist Smer party, meaning “direction,” standing on a pro-Russian and anti-American populist platform.

He had already served as prime minister twice before he returned to the role last year as part of a power-sharing deal with two other parties. Fico faced criticism this month as thousands of Slovaks rallied against a plan to overhaul public radio and television in the country of 5.4 million, sparking fears of government control and a shift away from pro-Western ties.

Fico has found common cause with Viktor Orbán , the right-wing authoritarian leader of Hungary, Slovakia's neighbor to the south, in ending support for Ukraine's defense against Russia's invasion and criticizing Western support for Kyiv. Slovakia also shares a border with Ukraine.

Both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin gave public support to Fico.

Putin said in a letter to Čaputová shared by the Kremlin that the "heinous crime cannot be justified," and Zelenskyy post ed on X that "every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, form, or sphere."

President Joe Biden also wished Fico a "speedy recovery" and said in a statement that the U.S. Embassy was in contact with the Slovakian government and "ready to assist."

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, also strongly condemned the attempt on Fico's life.

“Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good,” she said in a post on X .

Slovakia is an E.U. member.

Slovakia’s main opposition parties canceled a planned protest against a plan to overhaul public broadcasting that they say would give Fico's government full control of public radio and television, according to The Associated Press.

“We absolutely and strongly condemn violence and today’s shooting of Premier Robert Fico,” Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Šimečka said. “At the same time we call on all politicians to refrain from any expressions and steps which could contribute to further increasing the tension.”

The country’s incoming president, Peter Pellegrini, a close Fico ally, said the incident represented "an unprecedented threat to Slovak democracy."

He added, "If we express different political opinions with guns in the squares and not in polling stations, we endanger everything we have built together in 31 years of Slovak sovereignty."

Patrick Smith is a London-based editor and reporter for NBC News Digital.

Weekend Director of Platforms, NBC

Slovakia’s Leader Survives Surgery After Shooting, Deputy Says

Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot five times in what officials said was a politically motivated assassination attempt. The deputy prime minister told the BBC the surgery appeared to have gone well.

• Share full article

• Mr. Fico is rushed into a vehicle after being shot in Handlova, Slovakia. RTVS via AFP
• The police made an arrest after the shooting. Reuters
• Emergency personnel taking Mr. Fico to a hospital. Jan Kroslák/TASR Slovakia, via Associated Press
• Mr. Fico is transported by helicopter to a hospital in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia. JOJ via Reuters
• The police on the scene after the shooting Radovan Stoklasa/Reuters
• Mr. Fico speaking with a group in Handlova earlier Wednesday. Radovan Stoklasa/TASR Slovakia, via Associated Press

Cassandra Vinograd ,  Andrew Higgins and Richard Pérez-Peña

A suspect is in custody in the Slovakia shooting. Here’s what to know.

Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, a fixture in the country’s politics and known for defying his fellow leaders in the European Union, underwent hours of emergency surgery on Wednesday after being shot five times and critically wounded in a town in central Slovakia, in what officials said appeared to be a politically motivated assassination attempt.

His deputy, Tomas Taraba, told the BBC that the operation appeared to have gone well. “I guess in the end he will survive,” he said.

The shooting was the most serious attack on a European leader in decades, drawing shock and condemnation from Slovak officials and other European leaders and stoking fears that Europe’s increasingly polarized and venomous political debates had tipped into violence.

The events were captured on videos, which showed Mr. Fico, 59, approaching a small group of people behind a waist-high metal barrier on a public square in the town of Handlova, when a man stepped forward and fired a pistol from just a few feet away. Five bangs could be heard.

With the first bang, Mr. Fico doubled over at the waist and fell backward onto a bench as more reports ring out. Security officers then hustled him into a black Audi several feet away, half-carrying him to the car’s rear door. He was taken to a local hospital and airlifted to another for surgery.

Security officers at the scene of the shooting wrestled a suspect to the ground, and officials said that initial evidence pointed to political motivations. The authorities did not identify the suspect, whom Slovak news outlets described as a 71-year-old poet. The country’s interior minister, Matus Sutaj Estok, said more information would be made public “in the coming days.”

The president of Slovakia, Zuzana Caputova, whose position is largely ceremonial, said in a statement, “The shooting of the prime minister is first and foremost an attack on a human being, but it’s also an attack on democracy.”

The shooting also drew a chorus of condemnation from world leaders, including President Biden, who called it a “horrific act of violence,” and Russia’s leader, Vladimir V. Putin, who lauded Mr. Fico as a “courageous and strong-minded man.”

Mr. Fico began his three-decade political career as a leftist but over the years shifted to the right, as did the party he founded, Smer. He served as prime minister from 2006 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2018, before returning to power in elections last year. After being ousted amid street protests in 2018, he was re-elected on a platform of social conservatism, nationalism and promises of generous welfare programs.

Mr. Fico presented himself as a pugnacious fighter for the common man and an enemy of liberal elites and immigration from outside Europe, and he aligned with Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orban, in opposing aid to Ukraine and challenging mainstream opinions within the European Union.

Domestically, his critics accused him of undermining the independence of the news media, opposed his efforts to restrict foreign funding of civic organizations and called him a threat to democracy. They also accused Mr. Fico of seeking to take Slovakia back to the repressive days of the Soviet bloc.

Here is what else to know:

Mr. Fico was in Handlova to hold a governmental meeting, which he followed with a nearly hourlong news conference . He had just emerged from those events when he was attacked.

The Parliament of Slovakia suspended its meetings and said it was “significantly” bolstering its security measures. Some of Mr. Fico’s parliamentary allies suggested that his liberal opponents had created the atmosphere for the shooting.

Michal Simecka, the chair of the opposition party Progressive Slovakia, said he shared in the “horror” of the attack and stressed that the attacker was not a member of his movement or connected to his party in any way.

Pavol Strba and Gaya Gupta contributed reporting.

The New York Times

Slovakia has largely charted its own course since the fall of the Soviet Union.

Slovakia, which was left reeling on Wednesday after an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico, is a relatively young country whose history is closely intertwined with that of its central European neighbors.

Slovakia is one of two nations born out of the former Czechoslovakia amid the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the waning years of the 20th century.

Czechoslovakia was a multiethnic nation established at the end of World War I that endured dismemberment by the Nazis and more than four decades of Communist rule. But during the fall of Communism in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when independence movements gained strength throughout the Soviet Union, a series of largely peaceful protests called the Velvet Revolution led Czechoslovakia first to independence and then to a split, often referred to as the Velvet Divorce , that left two nations: the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

After several years of economic and political upheaval following its independence, Slovakia joined the European Union and NATO in 2004, and adopted the euro in 2009. As the country navigated the establishment of its national identity , some tensions remained with the Czech Republic, its richer and larger neighbor , which has roughly twice Slovakia’s population of five million.

Like much of Europe, Slovakia has been deeply polarized over the past decade. Mr. Fico, who has been a leading politician in the country since its independence, was forced to resign from office in 2018 amid sweeping protests over the murder of a journalist who was investigating government corruption.

He was re-elected last fall, after taking a pro-Russian campaign stance that capitalized on Slovakia’s historical Russian sympathies.

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James C. McKinley Jr.

Slovakia’s deputy prime minister, Tomas Taraba, told the BBC late on Wednesday that Fico’s emergency surgery appeared to have gone well.

“He’s not in a life-threatening situation at this moment,” Taraba said.

When asked about the identity of the attacker, the interior minister, Matus Sutaj Estok, declined to provide further detail. “Not today,” he said, adding that officials would provide more information in the “coming days.”

The interior minister also told reporters that Fico was still in surgery and remains in critical condition.

The prime minister was shot five times, he said.

Slovakia’s interior minister, Matus Sutaj Estok, said in a news conference that an investigation into the attack against Mr. Fico is ongoing, and initial evidence “clearly points to a political motivation.”

Cassandra Vinograd

Hours after the attack, the police in Slovakia have not offered any details or issued a statement on the assassination attempt. They asked the media and the public to disable comments on social media posts and articles about the attack.

Daniel Victor

Fico campaigned on ending support for Ukraine, alarming many in the West.

Robert Fico, the Slovakian prime minister whose life was in danger after being shot on Wednesday, was elected in 2023, completing an unlikely political comeback after resigning from the position in 2018 after major street protests over the killing of an investigative journalist.

Mr. Fico won in part on a message of social conservatism, nationalism, anti-L.G.B.T.Q. rhetoric and promises of generous welfare programs. But it was another key plank of his campaign that alarmed many countries in the West: His unsparing support for Russia in its war against Ukraine.

A public opinion poll in March 2023 found that 51 percent of Slovaks believed that either the West or Ukraine were “primarily responsible” for the war. Mr. Fico capitalized on the sentiment, campaigning on stopping all arms shipments to Ukraine while blaming Russia and Ukraine equally for the war.

In October, Mr. Fico said he was halting all military aid to Ukraine, though he said nonmilitary aid would continue. The decision was met with outrage among other E.U. members and supporters of Ukraine.

Mr. Fico, who was prime minister for a decade before resigning in 2018, has aligned himself rhetorically with Viktor Orban, the pro-Russian leader of neighboring Hungary.

“Fico was inspired by Orban, but does not have the same deep ideological roots, and is more of a pragmatist,” Ludek Sekyra, a Czech businessman who chairs the Sekyra Foundation, a supporter of liberal causes, said in October . “He has been adept in exploiting unease over the vast influx of Ukrainian refugees, small-country resentment of the European Union and Russian sympathies that do not exist in the Czech Republic.”

Though he won the election, he remains reviled by many voters outside his party’s loyal base. His party, Smer, is nominally leftist but has moved to the right on immigration and cultural issues.

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia called Mr. Fico a “courageous and strong-minded man,” adding that this “monstrous crime cannot have any justification.”

Lauren Leatherby

Videos from the scene indicate that the attacker shot the prime minister, Robert Fico, in Banikov Square, in the center of the town of Handlova. The attacker is seen standing with other people behind a barrier before shooting Mr. Fico when he came to greet them. Mr. Fico had been at an event in Handlova’s House of Culture, according to Slovakian media.

Location of

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The parliament of Slovakia has suspended its meetings and said it was “significantly” bolstering its security measures in response to the attack on Fico.

President Biden said he was “alarmed to hear” about the attack on Fico and condemned the “horrific act of violence.”

“Jill and I are praying for a swift recovery, and our thoughts are with his family and the people of Slovakia,” he said in a statement, adding that the U.S. Embassy was in “close touch” with Slovakia’s government and stood ready to assist.

Matthew Mpoke Bigg

Who is Robert Fico?

Robert Fico, 59, has played a pivotal role in Slovakian politics in the years since it gained independence in 1993 and has served as prime minister longer than any other leader.

Slovakia — a landlocked country of around 5 million people — gained independence after the so-called Velvet Revolution, a series of popular and nonviolent protests in 1989 against the Communist Party in what was at that time still Czechoslovakia. That year, the Berlin Wall fell, Communist power in much of Eastern Europe collapsed and the Cold War in effect ended.

Mr. Fico, who had been a Communist Party member while it was in power, founded the Smer party in the late 1990s. He began the first of his three terms as prime minister in 2006, serving for four years before going into opposition after his coalition lost an election. Mr. Fico returned to power in 2012 but resigned as prime minister in July 2018 following mass demonstrations over the murder of a journalist, Jan Kuciak, and his fiancée, Martina Kusnirova, who had been uncovering government corruption. The protests, which rocked the country, were the largest seen since the Velvet Revolution; demonstrators demanded the resignation of the government and new elections.

Slovakia ranks high in independent assessments of press freedom, but the protesters had also sought deeper changes in the country Mr. Fico had overseen.

The Smer party started out on the political left but has increasingly embraced right-wing views on immigration and cultural issues. Much of the international discussion of Mr. Fico’s leadership in recent years has focused on his ties to President Vladimir Putin of Russia and to Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary, Slovakia’s southern neighbor. Like Mr. Orban, Mr. Fico has been a staunch critic of the European Union.

After a parliamentary election last fall, Mr. Fico began his third term as prime minister, then had heart surgery the next month. He emerged to form a coalition government after securing around 23 percent of the vote, having campaigned against sanctions that were imposed on Russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Not one round of the country’s ammunition should be sent to Ukraine, he had told voters.

That stance, in a country where pro-Russian sentiment had historically been significant, worried E.U. leaders in Brussels, who said they feared that Slovakia could form a pro-Russian alliance with Mr. Orban and, potentially, Italy’s leader, Giorgia Meloni, that would impede support for Ukraine in the European Union. At the time, it was also seen as a sign of the apparent erosion of the pro-Ukrainian bloc that Europe had formed after the invasion.

Slovakia’s military contributions to Ukraine were negligible compared with countries such as the United States and Britain. But last year it became one of several European Union countries on Ukraine’s borders to block imports of its grain, fearing that it could undermine Slovakia’s farmers.

In April, an ally of Mr. Fico, Peter Pellegrini, won a vote to become Slovakia’s president. The position is largely ceremonial, but analysts said the victory strengthened the grip of political forces friendly to Russia in Central Europe, given that Mr. Pellegrini opposed providing military and financial aid to Ukraine.

Mr. Fico was born on Sept. 15, 1964, into a working-class family in the city of Topolcany in the Nitra Region of what is now Slovakia. He graduated in 1986 from Comenius University Bratislava, where he received a law degree, according to the Slovak government’s website . He earned a doctorate at the Institute of State and Law at the Slovak Academy of Sciences, and served in the military from 1986 to 1987.

Mr. Fico studied in the United States, Britain, Finland, Belgium and France, specializing in human rights and criminal law, according to the government website. He married Svetlana Ficova, a lawyer and professor, and they have a son. News reports in Slovakia say the couple is separated.

An earlier version of this article misspelled the given name of Italy’s leader. She is Giorgia Meloni, not Georgia.

How we handle corrections

Slovakia’s president, Zuzana Caputova, said at a news conference in Bratislava that the police had arrested the suspected perpetrator at the scene. She again expressed her shock over the attack, calling it an “attack on democracy.”

Peter Pellegrini, who will soon assume the Slovak presidency, echoed that sentiment. “An assassination attempt on one of the highest constitutional officials is an unprecedented threat to Slovak democracy,” he wrote on social media. “If we express different political opinions with guns in the squares, and not in polling stations, we endanger everything we have built together in 31 years of Slovak sovereignty.”

Slovakia’s interior minister, Matus Sutaj Estok, said that the assassination attempt would be investigated “as quickly as possible.” “Slovakia is experiencing the worst day of its democracy,” he wrote on Facebook . “For the first time in the 31 years of our democratic sovereign republic, it happened that someone decided to express a political opinion not in an election, but with a gun on the street.”

Richard Pérez-Peña

Fico was airlifted to the F.D. Roosevelt Hospital in Banska Bystrica, a city near Handlova, according to Slovak officials.

He was taken there because it would have taken too long to get to the capital, Bratislava, according to his official Facebook pag e.

Matina Stevis-Gridneff

World leaders express shock at an assassination attempt against Robert Fico, Slovakia’s prime minister.

Leaders from the European Union and beyond expressed shock at the assassination attempt against Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, on Wednesday, even as the details of the shooting incident outside Bratislava, the capital, remained unclear.

Mr. Fico remains in the hospital in “life-threatening condition,” according to his staff.

Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, called the attack “vile” on social media . “Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good,” she added.

Charles Michel of the European Council, the other major European Union institution, expressed shock on social media and wrote, “Nothing can ever justify violence or such attacks.”

Mr. Fico has had a testy relationship with European Union partners, expressing pro-Russian views and at times siding with Hungary, the bloc’s closest Russian ally. Viktor Orban, the prime minister of Hungary and Mr. Fico’s personal ally, said he was “deeply shocked by the heinous attack against my friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico.”

But such conflicts were put firmly aside as European leaders grappled with the attack against Mr. Fico, which has come just weeks before a major European Union-wide election is to be held between June 6 and 9.

President Emmanuel Macron of France said that he was “shocked” by the shooting. “I strongly condemn this attack,” he wrote on X . “My thoughts and solidarity are with him, his family and the Slovak people.”

António Guterres, the U. N. secretary general, strongly condemned the “shocking attack” against Mr. Fico, according to a statement from his spokesperson’s office, adding that his thoughts were with the prime minister and his loved ones.

Violent attacks, especially shootings, against elected officials have been extremely rare in recent European history.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine also took to social media to voice shock at the assassination attempt against Mr. Fico. While Slovakia’s support for Ukraine has waned recently, it was the first country to deliver fighter jets there when its war began.

“We strongly condemn this act of violence against our neighboring partner state’s head of government,” wrote Mr. Zelensky. “Every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, form, or sphere,” he said.

Images from the scene published by the Reuters news agency showed what appeared to be members of Fico’s security detail running around a black sedan. Other photographs and video showed a person handcuffed on the ground at the scene.

Attacks against elected officials are virtually unheard of in recent European Union history, contributing to the deep shock over the attempt on Robert Fico’s life.