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Many of us who dwell and work in major cities dream of someday moving to the countryside. Nature. Fresh air. Rustic food. Simple living. And friendly neighbors. That’s what we dream about. But in those daydreams, we don’t consider a lot of small but important details that come with life away from the city.

Internet user u/rjroa21 sparked a truly captivating discussion on r/AskReddit. They asked the people living in rural areas to share the things that your average city folks probably wouldn’t understand. We’ve collected some of their coolest insights, from getting stuck behind a tractor in traffic to stargazing and dealing with wild animals.

Real estate investor and co-founder of SparkRental.com, G. Brian Davis, was kind enough to share his thoughts on the pros and cons of rural life with Bored Panda. You'll find our interview with him as you read on.

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#1

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) How dark it is at night. You see how many stars there are, how bright and gorgeous , how busy the night sky truly is.

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Bec
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up in a rural area and I definitely miss this

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Davis, the co-founder of SparkRental.com, shared his thoughts on what makes rural life so attractive to urbanites. “What city dweller hasn’t dreamed of more space after another cramped evening in a small apartment shared with a spouse or kids or housemates? Many urban dwellers also dream of outdoor space that they can call their own," he told Bored Panda in an email.

"Sure, they can visit a park to see a tree or two, but it’s not their space. They can’t plant a garden in it or landscape it exactly the way they want. Some urbanites also love the idea of a slower pace of life. Fast-paced city living can get exhausting, especially as you get older," he said.

Not only that but there's the constant cacophony of city life to consider. “It didn’t bother me in my 20s, but in my 40s, I find myself put off by the constant car horns, alarms, sirens, and thumping bass from some teenager showing off their subwoofer,” Davis said, adding that the traffic in big cities is also an issue.
#2

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) In the city, people ignore sirens and pay attention to gunshot sounds. In the country, people ignore the sound of gunfire and pay attention to the sound of sirens.

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#3

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) Dogs. Dang it! People just driving out and dropping off unwanted dogs. Once some coward dumped their mother dog and her 6 puppies near my front lawn. I hope there is a special place in hell for those people.

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3 months ago

This comment has been deleted.

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"Finally, city life can feel impersonal, isolating, and lonely. There’s nothing worse than feeling alone in a crowded area. Some urbanites yearn for a close-knit sense of community."

However, despite the perks, it's not like rural life is 'perfect.' There's a lot to consider before you buy a random log cabin in the middle of nowhere. “Urban dwellers should be careful what they wish for because they may end up becoming the dog that catches the car. Small towns and rural areas can feel too quiet, too still, too small for many urbanites," Davis said.
#4

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) I own a house that sits smack in the middle of three cattle farms.

The other night, I took my dog out to pee well after dark.

There was a weird noise, and a pair of glowing eyes at the end of my driveway. It was, of course, a cow.

I called my neighbor to the North. He drove his UTV down, inspected the cow, didn't recognize it, and called my neighbor to the south.

He sent his teenage son over in a car with no catalytic converter/muffler. He also didn't recognize the cow.

Finally, my neighbor from the West was summoned on his ATV. It was his cow.

The rest of us stood there drinking beer and watching the Western neighbor drive his cow home with an ATV.

Good times.

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Nannychachi
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Neighbor's bull got out a couple of weeks ago. Came back home with a cow that was not theirs.

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#5

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) Standing on my back porch in winter and there is absolute dead silence.

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#6

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) Legitimately being late for school or appointments due to being stuck behind a tractor.

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Angela Jester
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And the road is always just curvy enough to be impossible to pass safely

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“They may miss the amenities of urban living, from art galleries [and] restaurant options to sporting events and museums. For that matter, they’ll likely miss easy access to a major airport. In rural areas, you have to drive to get, well, anywhere. That’s a rude awakening for many city dwellers," the co-founder of SparkRental.com told Bored Panda.

"And that tight-knit community is only as good as your adoption into it. If you don’t feel included and welcomed, if you don’t feel like you fit in, you have few alternative options for social circles."
#7

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) Weird noises in the woods? Deer. Glowing eyes in the shadows? Deer. Something following you down a dark country road? Deer. It's always f*****g deer.

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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Broke down out in the country once late at night, walked 5 miles home in the dark, no moon out, no flashlight, couldn't see anything. I knew something was pacing me as I was walking as I could hear the steps, also knew it was a larger animal and when I stopped it stopped, finally I just stood still and talked to it until it came up to me as I knew the familiar sound of the steps. It was someones horse that had been tailing me.

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#8

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) Leaving your car windows closed at church in the summer so you don't come back out to a car full of Zucchini.

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#9

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) Weather changes your life. I've sat on the porch with my parents watching hail destroy our wheat crop days before it was due for harvest. There's nothing you can do. You just watch. I've also stood in a circle with my parents and older brother in the yard while we prayed for rain. For farmers, weather is destiny.

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Bec
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It drives my husband crazy how much weather is covered on our local Midwest forecast, but it is for this reason; although there are much fewer farmers now. He is from California originally.

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There’s no use beating around the bush: we’re huge fans of nature, wildlife, and peace and quiet. Living in the countryside in a house you fully own, with lots of land and a gorgeous view out the window, would be a dream come true. You can go hiking in the woods, have a lush garden, raise chickens, stargaze, and do whatever you really want to do. In short, rural life means freedom.

However, it doesn’t mean that it’s ‘perfect.’ Rural and city life both have their fair share of pros and cons. The countryside is not a Disney movie. It’s a lot of hard work if you plan on growing your own crops or raising animals. Furthermore, you’ll have to get used to the fact that you won’t have fancy restaurants, gyms, massive events, and supermarkets on every corner like in the big city.

Meanwhile, you also have to figure out what you’ll do for work. That’ll depend on your career, industry, and the specific company you work for. Some are happy with their workers going fully remote. Others embrace a hybrid system. But some demand their staff to show up at the office every day for that [cough, cough] brilliant work culture.

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#10

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) Sounds are not the scary part. Silence is.

Edit: I had been walking with my younger sister and dog (I was ten, she was eight). Suddenly world went dead silent and my dog froze, trying to huddle near the ground. Almost immediately I had unclipped her. Dog went bounding home, me and sis went to the road. Still utterly silent the whole time. Then my dad comes driving up with the dog and a rifle (we had only been about a mile away). As we’re driving away, what’s in the tree line? A f***ing mountain lion.

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Jessica Bertram
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ayup. Sudden silence or sudden screaming from the magpies/jays/crows. Either is a portent of a predator.

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#11

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) You need to carefully plan out your shopping needs because that trip to Walmart or Home Depot might be a two hour round trip.

lockednchaste , Michael Burrows / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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Bexxxx
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The nearest traffic lights (and Wal-Mart, movie theatre, Tim Hortons etc) are a 2.5 hour drive from me 😅 5 hour round trip minimum.

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#12

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) Sometimes you need a gun or rifle to ensure the safety of your animals and that doesn't make you a gun nut.

agent-assbutt , Chama / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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Barbara Wilcock
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In England you are aloud to shoot a dog if its scaring your sheep and cows. Only farmers carry guns here and it takes a lot to get a gun licence.

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You’re trading one type of freedom and flexibility for another type. What you choose will depend on your lifestyle, values, and aspirations. Some might love the hustle and bustle of city life. It’s all they’ve ever known. Others remember visiting their family and friends in the countryside and can’t wait to settle down where they’re always surrounded by greenery. Still, others will opt for the best of both worlds and choose a suburban home. (Though, the designers and architects in us hope that they’ll choose a home that isn’t a mass-produced copy like their neighbors.)

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The world is rapidly urbanizing. In this day and age, there are more people living in cities than in the country. This already happened a while ago. Statista reports that the global urban population overtook the rural one all the way back in 2007. Based on data collected in 2022, around 4.5 billion people live in urban areas. In contrast, roughly 3.4 billion live in rural territories.
#13

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) People waving when two cars pass from opposite directions.

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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My boyfriend thinks he's a one man parade, he waves to everyone

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#14

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) You or someone you know has a personal vendetta against a wild animal in the area.

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#15

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) No sidewalk? Walk AGAINST traffic.

We learned this as kids - we live in the suburbs now, but my husband also grew up in the same rural area where this was drilled into our heads. It blows my mind to see adults walk with traffic in the suburbs (where there are no sidewalks). And I always want to scream at them: 'AGAINST the traffic, so YOU can see! It's for YOUR OWN GOOD!'

For those not in the know: walking against the traffic puts you in better position to see/avoid hazardous vehicles. Walking with your back to traffic coming behind you? Not a great vantage point. Especially in 2024 when most pedestrians have ear buds in.

ETA: I also find myself doing it in parking lots and even if there IS a sidewalk - at this point in my life (53F), it's ingrained.

baileybrand , Darwis Alwan / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was always taught to walk against traffic.. I didn't know it was a 'country' thing, I thought it was a common sense thing..

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Rural living is what you make of it. Some folks romanticize it because they feel that it makes for better communities. But it doesn’t happen automatically. If you’re active in your community, help your neighbors, and make an effort to invite everyone over for dinner, barbecues, and what have you, sure, you’ll make friends.

However, if you always keep to yourself and barely interact with anyone (like in a massive apartment building), you’ll end up missing out on a lot.
#16

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) Nature is brutal and so are animals. That eagle is so majestic in the city, but out here I am cursing it's existence for f*****g up my chickens. Bears are so cute, but they are annoying as f**k trying to get into the shed where we have to lock up our garbage cans. Deer are so beautiful, but those f*****g a******s eat every f*****g leaf off of a fruit tree sapling and kill it, not to mention all the destruction they will do if your veggie garden fence isn't high enough.


EDIT: All that being said, still a huge advocate of wildlife and their protection, I'm just saying that out here we integrate back into the food chain so to speak, whereas in the city you are removed from the inconveniences of being in it.

No_Instance4233 , Frank Cone / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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3 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The deer can be extra, but it's the damn Canada geese... I hate those f*****s. Extremely territorial. Thank goodness for the swans that chase them away. I have also seen swans cause massive traffic jams walking down the road. They are bigger than most people think. (Edit: fixed "corrected" f-word.)

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#17

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) If I call 911, nobody will be here for AT LEAST 30 minutes for EMS, 45 for fire, and an hour for police.
And that's assuming they have nothing else to do and respond immediately.

If the house is on fire, you call the neighbors. In less than 10 there will be half dozen tractors with water tanks and hoses.

Lop your foot off? Call the neighbors. They'll drive you to the ER.

Somebody means to do you harm? Shoot back or die waiting for the Sheriff. Your choice.

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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up outside of a town of 100 people and there's a rural fire department with EMS trained qualified workers that would take five minutes to get there.

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#18

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) Having your name and age listed in the local newspaper when you’re pulled over for speeding and your family/friends get to give you s**t for it because everyone lives to read the weekly police report.

Enthoosed , Daria Obymaha / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If only they gave senior discounts on traffic tickets.

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Though, to be fair, a study done by the Pew Research Center found that rural residents are not more likely to interact with their neighbors than people living in urban or suburban areas. However, rural residents are far more likely to know who their neighbors are than people living elsewhere.

According to the data, 40% of rural residents know all or most of their neighbors, compared with 28% of suburbanites and 24% of city dwellers.

What’s your take on rural vs urban vs suburban life, dear Pandas? Where do you live now, and where would you ideally want to settle down? What do you value the most when you visit the countryside? Tell us what you think about all of this in the comments!
#19

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) Full-grown pigs are massive, and terrifying. And they can and will eat someone if ever they get the opportunity.

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#20

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) 1. You’re gonna see a “lost” or “abandoned” baby rabbit, bird fledgling, or fawn at some point and it’s 98% likely that they don’t “need your help” and the best thing you can do is to walk away.

2. You can free range your chickens or other fowl, but you’re gonna lose some to predators. No, you are not allowed to shoot the hawks. If you don’t like it, keep your birds in a large run.

3. The deer, bear, foxes, and other fluffy animals are not your friends. They are wild. They can and often will hurt you if you get too familiar.

4. You still need to fence your dog or keep it on a leash or a lead. If your dog attacks someone’s livestock, pets, neighbours or their children, or otherwise acts aggressive, your dog will be likely be shot and the law will be on your neighbour’s side. It doesn’t matter if that aggression was actually an attempt to play.

5. No, you are not allowed to jump someone’s fence in order to pet their cows, horses, other animals. Also, those animals may kill or wound you because you’re a stranger.

6. Just because you can’t see anyone actively living in an area doesn’t mean you can dump your trash there, hunt there, or otherwise act like you own the property.

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#21

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) The sound of spring peepers can be deafening. Also, I miss it with all my heart. .

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#22

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) A lot of fake country folk overhype the woods. Any time someone mentions a skin walker that's your red flag. I live in the woods. Yes the woods can be scary but it's far from paranormal. The woods are a fine place to explore and gain an appreciation for real tangible nature. Don't let the boogeyman scare you away from the biodiversity native to your area. Buy a field guide so you can get out and learn something.

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michael Chock
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly, as a kid I always felt more comfortable walking through the woods on a moonlit night than laying in my bed hiding from the shadows the same moon made in my room.

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#23

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) Grew up rural AF, chose to live in the city after becoming an adult.

I'd say the sheer level of how on your own you really are.

A lot of rural folks romanticize it. And it is nice... Unless you are one of the people forgotten or excluded by society. Develop a d**g/alcohol addiction? Have problems getting food? Old age has slowed you down so much that you can't leave the house? S****y parents that taught you nothing and kicked you out at 18? Cool, that's all on you. There's basically no help around, and everyone is so obsessed with this "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" mentality that unless you find the right group, you're just going to be shamed if you try and get help. Rural cruelty has a whole different depth to it in my experience.

Cities are more densely packed, and that means that charities and nonprofits tend to focus more there in order to reach more people. It's much easier to get help, and find people who knows someone who can help.

ShittyPianist , Jeswin Thomas / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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keyboardtek
keyboardtek
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Conservative Christian rural people would have you believe their church will take care of you. They reject Federal aid. But many of those "Christian" churches only help if you belong to their religion.

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#24

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) That cute lil’ foxes 🦊sound like screaming banshees at night.

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ƒιѕн
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Meh, I just have to listen to the rowdy bunch of local coyotes every nite. Sometimes I yell at them to keep it down. They don't listen.

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#25

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) The little wave you give when passing a vehicle going the opposite direction on a country road. Bonus points if you're cool enough to just raise your first two fingers off the steering wheel.

Also, saying hello to a stranger on a hiking trail, or at least giving a little nod and smile. I can always tell someone isn't from here when I say "hello" on a hike and they look at me like I'm an alien.

2_Raven , Yogendra Singh / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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Betsy Knox
Betsy Knox
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew up in the northern suburbs of Los Angeles. We would always say hello when walking in the hills above LA and also when backpacking in the high country (Yosemite, Mammoth, Angeles National Forest, etc.). I always thought it was hiker’s etiquette to say hello on the trail.

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#26

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) The abso-f*****g-lute peace there is. No sirens, no, "personal soundtracks" blaring, no traffic noise, cleaner air, darker nights (less street lights), more wildlife & nature.

I've lived in NYC before and wouldn't trade this for the best apartment back there.

BGFiles , Zetong Li / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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Kathy Richardson
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being able to sleep with your windows open cause there isn't all that horrendous noise going on, it doesn't stink from all the air pollution, and the risk on someone crawling through that window is slim to none.

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#27

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) I'm reminded of my time at the University of Iowa. A fellow I knew, grad student age, but he wasn't actively attending, walked with a cane because of a gimpy leg. He'd broke it when he was a child, but he'd tell anyone who asked that he was mauled by a sow.

He said the city people would just laugh it off as a joke. The country people would look at him in horror and say, "And you're *still alive?!?!"*.

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#28

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) As a lifetime NYC'er, I just wanna say to any rural folks here on this thread that most of us city folk do not stick our noses up at people that live in your area, despite what you might hear. And speaking for myself, I respect your livelihoods and sometimes envy living in your open spaces. I honestly want us all as Americans to simply appreciate our differences and just get along. Live and let live. And I would love to go to a country hootenanny! thanks.

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keyboardtek
keyboardtek
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a city raised Liberal who retired to a rural small town in North Carolina, I was pleasantly surprised to find the Conservatives we met were very nice friendly people and not the MAGA full of hatred types. Maybe if conservative rural folks got to know city Liberals they would realize all their preconceived motions of Liberals was manufactured by the right wing media.

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#29

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) You're probably on well water, which means that if the power goes out, you no longer have water. That also means that you get one, maybe two flushes of the toilet, and I bet you're not top priority for the electric company.

Choose wisely.

Or get a generator.

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ƒιѕн
ƒιѕн
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have backup generators. But I still prefer no power at all, its quiet and peaceful that way. Kids get grumpy tho.

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#30

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) See that driveway, someone has to plow it.

You manage your own water, sewage and waste. No, that doesn't go down the drain. Yes the water is treated and drinkable.

You have a generator because when power goes down it stays down for days at a time.

You have a pantry because running out of rice or salt is an hour or more drive says.

You fix your own s**t because getting an electrician plumber or carpenter is hard as hell.

You drive a vehicle with enough clearance because you need it.

That guy cutting hay on the vast majority of the land has been cutting it since before you were born. He chooses when and what time. That time is 6am.

Your mall truck is a joke out here.

serialhybrid , https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-and-kid-walking-on-downhill-1469880/ / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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geezeronthehill
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

FedEx, nor UPS, nor Amazon, nor post office can dare this mountain driveway.

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#31

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) There is no animal control out where I live, and no shelters within 100 miles that will take strays. If you dump your cat or dog, they will be eaten by a predator, starve to death, or be shot.

Swift_cat , Orkhan Aliyev / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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#32

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) If you don’t make dinner you don’t eat. No uber eats or grub hub, no delivery pizza or takeout, unless you want gas station food. 

Most places nearby close by 5:00PM on weekdays and have extremely limited hours or are closed entirely on weekends. 

It can be pretty damn peaceful. .

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#33

Rural australia liver here:

bore water. the sky is inexplicably Bigger. don’t drive at night if you can help it because you WILL hit a kangaroo. stars like nothing you’ve ever seen. leave town and you have no reception. what’s a traffic light? cook your own dinner or you aren’t eating. everyone and their mother owns a beatshit ute. the nearest hospital is four hours away and the local airport is a literal shed in the bush.

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Stephanie Did It
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds amazingy like Alaska, just substitute the type and size of fauna you're going to hit at night.

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#34

You can’t buy up a rural property on the cheap and then have big city expectations about the state of your neighbours properties or their behaviour. Welcome to redneckville, sometimes old washers live in the front yard and people park their 18 wheeler rigs in front of their house (and noisily warm them up every morning at 4am).

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geezeronthehill
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

New folks moving in up the valley. Driving too fast on this winding road. The deer will show them why to slow down.

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#35

I know, I’m buried…

You can never fully explain what it’s like on quiet nights when there’s no insects chirping, like in winter. I live on the outskirts of a small town, a mile from the railroad tracks. Even though there was snow on the ground and in the trees, plus dozens of houses between me and the tracks, it sounded like I was standing next to the train at 3am. Loud, loud, loud.

Alternatively, you also never prepare someone for how soothing it feels on a summer night, sitting on the porch, hearing the wind move softly through the trees, insects harmonizing their sweet tones, lightning bugs flittering about, blinking in a chaotic fashion. You just close your eyes, sip your drink, and experience almost total relaxation.

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Zaach
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That dry crunch as you walk in the snow at night

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#36

Im the city girl that moved to the country. Everybody from here sees deer as a nuisance or as dinner. Six years in, my dumb a*s still think they're magical.

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Stephanie Did It
Stephanie Did It
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's perfectly all right because they are, and like all wildlife, a gift.

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#37

Just how safe it is.

For 13 years I didn't lock my car up. Hell, half the time I left the keys in the ignition.

Plenty of spring and autumn nights I went to sleep with my front and back doors open. Windows were open 24/7 during those times, even if I were gone.

Also, how easy it is to accrue pets. At one point I had 12 cats, just because strays would show up and never leave.

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Nannychachi
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can sleep all night on my front porch without a single care.

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#38

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) The difference of saying that you're "going to town" vs "going to the city".

MrsShenanigans1818 , Evgeniy Grozev / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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Anywhere but Here
Anywhere but Here
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“Town” is the place you go frequently to get the stuff you need (groceries, mail, whatever). “The city” is where you go school clothes shopping, or to a concert, or for a specialty appointment. A few-times-a-year whole-day trip.

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#39

Stores not being convenient. The importance of keeping a *good* amount of gas in your vehicles. Lack of street lights. Waiting 45+ mins for an ambulance. No public transport, no cabs, no Uber or Lyft. No food delivery.

Quiet, except for the critters outside. Space. Cleaner air. Neighbours are far. Ticks everywhere! Wood roaches and spiders the size of your hand. Snakes. So. Many. Trees. Catching yourself baby talking possums and raccoons.

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3 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It cost just as much to keep your gas tank full as it does empty. EDIT; Just to add to this that so many people here simply miss the point.

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#40

I leave my doors unlocked when I'm away so the neighbors can get in if they need something.

I have a sleeping porch and I use it often.

We walk through each other's property without rebuke.

Nobody can hear me if I scream.

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#41

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) Driving home in a storm. A tree fell across the road in front of us (Mom and daughter). The truck behind us got their chainsaws out of their toolbox and moved that tree withing 15 minutes. Also there is not cell service everywhere. Only one service works consistently from my house.

iam2s , Lucas Pezeta / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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#42

What real quiet is like and what real dark is like. I've spent time in the city and time in the middle of nowhere, and felt the mental health improve and stress level drop. Ain't nothing like laying in a hammock in a cool breeze when the nearest human to you is at least a quarter mile away.

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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mosquitos...mosquitos will kick you out of that hammock real quick where I live.

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#43

You can just leave things out in the world and there's no risk of them not being there when you come back another time.

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#44

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) Peace and quiet. An aunt from the city stayed and couldn't sleep as it was too quiet.

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Bexxxx
Bexxxx
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh I actually moved to a big city for 8 years before moving back home to my small town. My city home was next to railroad tracks and under a flight path. It was hard to sleep for a few days without the regular sound of airplanes and trains! (And sirens and cars on the highway etc) Now I’m so used to the sound of wind in the trees and rain on the roof and nothing else - I struggle to sleep when I visit the city

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#45

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) Country life is slower than your lifespan.

City, you can go year after year seeing new buildings pop up, business, events, etc.

Country life...same county fair every year, maybe a new building every 10 years, new business 5 years.

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#46

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) When you live in a small town and you get into trouble outside of town, then the news gets back to town before you do!

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Zaach
Zaach
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Party lines - saying 'goodbye' to your boy/girlfriend and hearing 4 people hangup before you do

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#47

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) “Town pants”.

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Nannychachi
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Town pants. They are somewhere between slouching at home pants and church pants.

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#48

That us and intercity people have much more in common than different. Food deserts, poverty, being ignored and our parents juggling jobs to support us. We need to be united and find commonality.

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keyboardtek
keyboardtek
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

90% of the hate between Conservatives and Liberals, rural and city folks, is manufactured by the right wing media. That media makes money getting people all riled up and angry. Don't believe any of it!

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#49

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) The nearest fire department is you, and your neighbor ten miles away, with a couple flatbed trucks and 500 gallon tanks of water on them.

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FreeTheUnicorn
FreeTheUnicorn
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the biggest difference I notice. Live in a city now and no one steps up it's someone else's job. Obviously call emergency services if you can, but you see someone struggling, don't staff it out. See someone's car is broken down, oh they are on their phone calling someone, no need for me to see if they are ok. A building has burned down, the city will take care of it. No one even checks. And yet, they are surprised when animals and the weather impact their lives. Flooding? Blizzard? Why aren't the buses running? What do my taxes pay for? Like you could pay the sky to stop dumping water. Just backwards thinking.

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#50

"Rural Folks, What Are The Things City Folks Won't Understand?" (50 Answers) Not flushing the toilet because the power's out.

danattana , Miriam Alonso / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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Lavern Defazio
Lavern Defazio
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No flushing the toilet when I was young because we used an outhouse. Yep. I was that poor and I am that old

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