Country or City or somewhere between

It sounds lovely... I always dreamed of living in the country, who knows one day?
My accent gives out where I am from, but just because I am from Brazil and that is one tough accent to hide! In there, I had no accent, as I am from Brasilia, the capital, a new city in the middle of the country - a big mixture of people from all over - the accents got so diluted, they got lost

We live in the suburbs. We have a nice backyard, with a fire pit and a great deck for having bbqs in the summer. We often see deer walking down the street or hanging out in the yard. Our neighbours are close, but it's a decent neighbourhood.

I live in a city. As you can see by my location, a pretty big city.

I love New York. I came to visit my cousin in the 60's and stayed for a week, and actually cried when the plane was taking off to take me back to Minnesota. I love Minnesota, but New York got in my blood the minute I stepped off the plane on that first visit.

It's electric and it's creative and it's exciting. Every once in awhile I need a break, so going back to Minneapolis a couple of times a year to visit my mom takes care of my fix for "slowing down".

But I can also come up to my apartment on the 23rd floor, with a terrific view of the midtown Manhattan skyline, and feel like I've been removed from the crowds and the noise and get all rejuvenated for the next day!

We live in the country up on a hill. And, other than the snow and ice during the winter months, we're OK here. We have a beautiful view out of our front windows. We don't have to travel far to do things; there are malls and restaurants not too far away anymore, if you like that sort of thing.

We're lucky in that we enjoy our neighbors and we've all started to get together once or twice a summer for a nice picnic.

We probably have close to 1-1/2 acres now and we're trying to buy two acres behind our land. Our house is a bi-level, so no front porch....and do you know, that's the worst thing about our house?! No front porch! But we do have land to garden in and grass to mow. We have an inground pool out back with a picket fence and an arbor with clematis. Lots of fir trees along the rear border of our back yard. DH loves trees, so we have maple trees, Colorado blue spruce, black walnuts, oak trees, a mountain ash (that we may have to cut down this year because of the ash borer finding its way to PA), some silver maples, etc. This coming spring, DH wants to plant two horse chestnut trees in the side yard; we had a mature silver maple there, but lost it to a nasty lightning strike a few years ago. It's just property like any other property in the US, but it's ours.

The closest town to us is an older town, very Victorian, especially in the winter time during the holidays when the town is dressed in its best finery; we even have a Victorian Christmas parade that's just lovely. And around here, people still go to parades. Lots of shade trees line the streets. It's a university town....anybody ever hear of Lewisburg, PA, home of Bucknell University? Very eclectic stores and restaurants in Lewisburg. Just small town, USA.

To the immediate south of us is Selinsgrove, PA, home to Susquehanna University. Selinsgrove is also pretty.

Lots of deer in the back yard. We've seen bear from time to time. Very early one summer morning, I awakened to lots of chattering in the front yard. I got out of bed to see what was going on. A mama raccoon was out for a walk with her three babies and she was scolding them to move faster through the yard. She kept yelling at them about something. The game commission says we don't have mountain lions around here, but they've been seen. And we've seen pawprints on our property. So who knows? Lots of foxes, lots of small wildlife. One morning I was out for my walk and way down in the gully, there was a gaggle(?) of wild turkeys trying to find breakfast, I guess. You know, those birds are big!

And that's probably way more than you wanted to know!

I live in a low rise building with 6 apartments. Nothing peaceful and serene about it At least there are no screaming kids in our building.

I grew up in Chicago, then moved to the country for about 15 years. I had an 1884 Victorian farmhouse complete with wrap around porch and spent a lot of time watching the world go by from that porch. We had all sorts of wild life at that place - deer, coyotes, fox, bobcats, snakes, badgers, raccoons, possums, birds of all sizes, and we strongly suspect that there was a cougar living somewhere close by. We moved to a home that is somewhere in between urban and rural about 5 years ago - 3 acres that back up to a small lake. Now we spend our time sitting on our deck that faces the lake.

I loved the hustle and bustle of city life, enjoyed the peacefulness of the country, and now live close enough to the city on a peaceful setting to be able to enjoy both.

I live in the city...almost downtown. If I had a choice I'd live in the city or somewhere in between city and country. I like easy access to stuff.

We live in the country on a dirt road. The only neighbor that lives past us (1/4 mile away) only goes to work and church so very little traffic. I love it out here! We are on top of a mountain and from my window I can see three mountains away. We have deer, wild turkey, bears and bobcats. There's a little mom and pop store at the end of the road we can get small stuff like bread or milk, and getting to town is only a 10 minute drive. It kinda sucks in winter because apparently West Virginia doesn't use salt (they use cinders instead), and there are only 2 snow plows for the entire county. But almost everyone has 4 wheel drive vehicles. I, unfortunately, do not so last winter was a disaster! But I still love it. I grew up in town (can't really call it a city ) and our neighbors were right on top of us. No privacy what so ever. You couldn't pay me to move to the city. I like the idea that I can run around my house naked if I wanted to (not that I would! But I could! Might scare the turkeys though).

I live in between. Downtown Charleston is about 30-40 minutes away. My friend lives about 30 minutes away in the other direction toward the country (where she has her own gated street, a pond, and lots of other stuff, her parents also have a house back there. If you can have a turkey shoot with shotguns, and use hand guns and rifles to shoot cans on your property, then I think you live in the country )

Hubby and I live on 1.56 acres of land, but it's attached to another 3.44 acres, where his parents live. His dad had 5 acres and gave us our piece in '07 to have a house built. Even though we picked our house to be built, I'd like our front porch to be larger. One day maybe We're also going to add onto our back porch in the future, make room for an in-porch hot tub, and sitting area.

The only thing I'd change is that I'd have a fence or tree line blocking my neighbors (we used to but when we cleared the land, hubby had it almost ALL cleared), and still wouldn't mind a fence separating us from the in-laws.

City boy here. I like it. It's generally quiet and a nice place to live. My back deck is awesome. One part of it is 15'x15' and the other is 18'x18'. Great for parties. But someday, I want to live out in the country. If my dream comes true and I can adopt a cougar and maybe a few other exotics, I'll have to. I don't think my neighbors will like a 200 pound cat jumping the fence and walking up to their back door.

We live in the suburbs I guess is what you would call it. We are about 5 minutes in either direction from main roads with all the stores on them and about 15 minutes from Downtown, and about 20 from Westtown.
Downtown is where Gary works and all the hipper stores and restaurants are, as well as Neyland Stadium and University of TN.
Westtown has all of the high end stores, as well as the outlets and all of the other places to shop.
We live off of a busy road. Our road right now is taking some detour traffic but its usually not that busy. We have a large sloping back yard that we have been working on clearing. The past owners let it grow up very badly! But we are going to build a small gazebo and hang our hammock chairs in the trees out there! We also have a slate tiled patio with a nice BBQ, Patio furniture, and a firepit, we spend a lot of time out there during spring-fall! Our front yard is mostly level with 2 very large trees and a small magnolia tree which I love!!

We live out in the country in a 150 year old farm house. The house next to us used to be our barn probably 60 or 70 years ago.

I have a lovely front porch with 4 white pillars. Our wicker chairs are out there all summer and we over look a deep creek just across the road.

A gully cuts next to our house and behind. The grandkids go sledding in the winter and my son used to take his inflatable boat in when the creek backs up through a culvert in the spring.

There are huge pine trees and maple trees here. Kind of nerve wracking in a strong wind. There is the little red barn where they used to have a horse and even before that, pigs. And an old foundation from a smoke house that now grows peonies.

I have spoken to a lady who used to live here and said at that time, people would come for miles around to bring in the hay, and then have a huge picnic on the lawn.

I was born nextdoor and down through the years, always felt a draw here. Thirty years ago, we bought it and I raised my kids here as a single mom. There are tons of racoons, owls, fox, all kinds of wildlife. There are woods behind the gully that go for miles. The window glass is wavy it is so old.

But, it takes a lot of work to keep up. Our kitty cemetary is behind the red barn. That is where we will be too.

I have a connection to this place that I cannot explain. Spring time, there are loads of wild roses through the woods and gully and crab apple trees. This place is part of me, and I will never leave here.

Home is where my heart is.

I live in a city but if I drive about 30 miles I can be in a country atmosphere here in NJ. There is no doubt that the scenery is much prettier in the country and there was a time I wanted to move to a more rural area but now I just couldn't give up the closeness of everything in the city. I can walk to a lot of places if I wanted too.

When I look out of the window all I see is another mobile home altho the folks who live across from me have a beautiful area with flowers and shrubs. They have much more space than most of us who live here.

As I've said before, it's all what you're used too. At my age now I couldn't live in the boonies, way too lonely and far away from everything. I was born in the city and I'll die in the city.

I'm currently at the beach, but by next late-spring, I'll be mobile in a camper van. So, basically, I can go pretty much wherever I want! Noisy neighbors? Get in the seat and turn the key! Tired of the area? Drive! Want a beautiful lake/creek/ocean view to wake up to? Drive!

I live in a small country town, but I'm near the town centre so have neighbours near by. We just have a supermarket, chemist, post office and bakeries in town but a much larger shopping centre is just 25 minutes away.

I love where I live, sitting under the verandah listening to cows, sheep and chickens. I could never live in the city - and I couldn't have a cattery there, most breeders live in the country and some in the suburbs.

I grew up in a tiny michigan town of 185 people, with 90% dirt roads. Then I moved to Chicago for college, where I still am due to grad school. I guess I have experienced the two extremes, though I still absolutely love being out in the country.

I live in the suburbs, and have for the past 10 years. At first I hated it, since I was raised in a city and got used to being around lots of people, watching people dressed in different styles which inspired me to always wear the latest trends, unlike the suburbs where it's not all that uncommon to see people in their PJs at wal mart...I also used to love the ability to go anywhere you want within the city with public transportation available. I know people in big cities are usually less friendly than suburbs and country, but to me I never felt that way- people just mind their own business more when you're in a city which is nice ...

That sounds fantastic, and where I hope to be soon. I can wait.

I currently live in the city, though, and I hate it.

We live in the country too.

Our house is on a bit over 5 acres with my garden shed and Neil's super fancy "barn/workshop.
We have a front porch but there really isn't much of a view (cornfield anyone?) So we use the brick patio we built about 5 years ago. Much more private-don't have to see all the farm equipment driving past. That's the only downside. The area of NE Wisconsin we live in is nicknamed "little california" due to all the large dairies around us. The worst is a 4900+ (cows) dairy about 5 miles away that was started about 10-12 years ago.
They need alot of land and we are on a county road so all the farm equipment (I'm not taking tractors) go up and down our road. The worst is when the hay is cut as many of these large farms use semi's to transport the harvests. Then the manure tankers (think gas station tankers) constantly up and down the road. It always seems they spread manure on the most humid days of the year.

But now its quiet. We live about halfway between Green Bay and the "FoxCities" which has the 2nd largest shopping mall and surrounds in the state.

And we can always head "up north" to our 170 acres.

I guess I just answered 1/2 of the question...
I live in the city, about 3 exits from Downtown Dallas... Always lived in the city, Since I was a toddler - before that I lived pretty much in an outside, almost desert beach
My town, even though is close to Downtown, is really fantastic, very quiet quiet neighborhood, very safe, clean and organized, feels like suburbs. My building was built in the 40s, and has a nice feel to it... My neighbors are also very nice, and we all watch out for each other... I really love it here... But I gotta say I do miss my BIG heart city... Los Angeles, which I left behind in '07...

Country. I sleep best with the sounds of horses, cows, frogs, coyotes, and other fun country sounds. It is very rare to hear police or ambulance sirens. Wide open land is important for me. The "yard" work never ends.

I grew up in a city in Pennsylvania, not a huge city, but we weren't in the suburbs. About a mile from the downtown area. My mom still lives there. I moved to Long Beach, CA 3,5 years ago and it's great! BF and I lived in an apartment building on the beach, close to downtown, easy access to everything with buses all over the city, and the train to Los Angeles/Pasadena if we wanted. In August we bought a house, about 5 miles inland. A few weeks after we moved in, we were out riding bikes in the neighborhood and I said "Heh, we live in the suburbs now!" We do! It's weird, it's a bit too quiet, even though we're close to main roads and stuff. 4 short blocks in either direction and you're on a main road and can catch a bus downtown. We're don't have as much bus access here, and of course it takes a lot longer to get where we want to go, but man, living in our house is amazing! We have a beautiful backyard that backs up to a storm channel, with a park on the other side of that. Fruit trees, flowers, birds, cats (Mister...), possums, squirrels.. I still can't sleep very well because instead of the white noise of the ocean and traffic at the apartment, now I hear all sorts of creaks and fridge noises and whatnot.

So, I guess my short answer then is we live in the suburbs but close enough to the city part of the city. I like to be close to stuff. The country is beautiful to visit, but I couldn't live there.

Now, you KNOW there ain't no cougars in Saskatchewan, just as the dingbats at wildlife. They say there ain't, so it must be true despite sightings in Weyburn, Regina, and dozens of small towns. I've even seen one of the non-existant beasties and tracks from another.

Anyways, I live way out in the boonies, close to where the non-existant cougars live. Right now, I wish I lived somewhere without snow - been spending hours every week digging out, and have to again. Regardless, wouldn't have it any other way, cannot stand being cramped like in the city, living one on top the other or crowded with only a few feet from your house to the next one and it takes only one trip to the city to make my snow problems seem minor since most cities have already overrun their snow removal budgets. I also have things that city people do not - can stand outside in spring when seeding starts an smell the raw, fresh, earthy smell of the land when it is worked. I can smell fresh cut hay in summer and the heady scent of harvest dust; cant put a price on any of that. Also the summer birds, more variety than cities......about the only birds I don't welcome are sparrows (do they EVER leave??), rats with wings.....er pigeons and the twice annual shriek fest that is migration of snow geese, probably about the only water fowl that is truly foul in all aspects - it is noisy, messes all over vehicles (arial bombing), destroys crops, fouls water and is totally inedible

I live in a small town. The woods are a block away. It is fairly common to have bears, moose and the occasional fox come down the street. I would like to move to the country.

Small town( 24000) , no town center as it is a suburb of another small town ... BIG city of half million plus is about 45 minutes and over the river... I live in a sub rural area... ie woods behind me and about a mile away on two other side s and a big river about 8 blocks ( wildlife abounds ) ... I do have a grocery store, pharmacy and a few shops within two miles as the Main road is only about a mile away..

Grew up in a VERY big city , number 9 in the US back when I left at 17.. Moved to a mid size city in the mid west , then a small city( large town) in the west then here...

I love this thread! It's so interesting hearing about where other TCS members live.

I live on the outskirts of a small town, on an acre lot near the end of a gravel road. We have a long country porch. We are an easy driving distance from three good sized cities, but we have fairly decent shopping and restaurants in our town. I love where I live, and I'm happy here. My second choice would be a very popular nearby lake, but one either has to have owned land there before the price of lake property skyrocketed or have a big bankroll to buy there now. (I've almost given up on my dreams of Maine, where there is real snow.)

I live in a teeny tiny town of around 2000 people, with an area of approx. 1.8 square miles. OK, that was from the 2000 census but evidently they haven't added up the 2010 census yet. I think there might be more people than that now; they built a new golf course, with the accompanying golf course McMansions, so possibly around 2200 now, maybe. I live right next to the city park.

There isn't much in town, just a small (overpriced) grocery store, a drug store, a Dollar General, and 2 fast food places. And a Post Office of course! (That's where I work) But it's right on the Interstate, only about 25-30 minutes from the largest city in the state (that's not saying much! There are fewer than a million people in the whole state) so I don't mind the lack of local shopping options.

So any direction I go, I end up in the middle of farmland (corn and soybeans) in less than a mile. I saw a deer in my neighbor's yard one night. . .but that's rare. Since it's so easy to stay away from town, most of the wild animals do. I did have a possum eating my cat food once, but that's about it.

I like living in the small town atmosphere but with the "big city" easily accessible. Best of both worlds. And since this town is really a bedroom community for the city, I'm able to avoid a lot of the tiny town problems that happen when everyone works together, like in most of the tiny towns in the area.