Special offer

Are you a City Dweller or a Country Bumpkin?

By
Real Estate Agent with West Michigan Real Estate Specialist-Five Star Real Estate

 

Hi rise Building in Grand Rapids, MIWhere do you want to live is probably the wrong question.  It should be more, how do you want to live?  What is it about living in the country that draws so many people?  Why do some gravitate to the city?  As a realtor in the West Michigan area, I find people and their living habits fascinating.  As a person describes what they are looking for in a home, you start to think of the scene in your mind.  What makes someone choose living outside of the city as opposed to living inside the city?   What is the definition of country to you and what is the city?  What is even more interesting is the fact that most people are very definitive about the type they are.  “I am definitely a country bumpkin”, or “I love the city!”

 

A look at the City Dwellers

crooked sidewalkWhat quantifies as city to most people?  As I look at West Michigan, Grand Rapids is definitely the main metro area.  When you look at a map, there are several cities that make up greater Grand Rapids in Michigan—Forest Hills, Wyoming, Walker, Grandville, Jenison, Kentwood, etc. Then there are also the smaller metro areas of Holland and Grand Haven that are separated from Grand Rapids yet still small cities.  These are the geographic characteristics of West Michigan, but is there something else that contributes to a feeling of city or country?

 

In my minds eye, the definition of city is any continuous blocks of activities made up of homes and businesses.  Another great interpretation would be any where there is a lot of sidewalk and concrete . . . hence the concrete jungle?  Mowing the lawn is easy, because the lots are small.  How about any place there is more than one high rise building and lots of light and noise? The city is all about the non-stop barrage of information, crowds and traffic.   If you can ride a city bus, you are most likely in the city.   Many people say they love the hustle and bustle of the city.  They never feel alone because homes are very close by and grouped together with the businesses they need. Yet in the city, you can meld in and become a face in the crowd.  Does the city give a sense of security in some ways and sense of anonymity in others?

 

A Look at the Country Bumpkins

Old Barn in Holton MichiganIn what way is the country different?  Geographically, when I think of West Michigan the towns of Allendale, Coopersville, Ada, Caledonia, Zeeland,  Byron Center, and Sparta come to mind.  These areas surround Grand Rapids to the North, East, South and West, yet most are within 30 minutes of Grand Rapids.  Most have their sub-divisions but for the most part, they still hold the small town feel.  But what is the essence of these places called the country?

 

When asked about the definition of country, these small town areas give you a different feeling. Could it be the opportunity to unwind on the drive home through open country with no bumper-to-bumper traffic?  Do the horses grazing lazily in the fields give you a sense of calmness?  Out in the country, where it gets truly dark, the stars can be seen so clearly.  Does the definition include large areas of expansive trees, woods and golden wheat fields swaying in the wind?  Unlike the city, it is harder to just meld in—you run into people you know regularly and you don’t have any problem going into your neighbor’s shed to borrow a garden tool.  The people in the country seem to know that, yes, occasionally you will loose your electric because all the  lines are no longer underground.  But they are willing to put up the small, occasional inconvenience to be able to ride their snowmobiles and quads in the vast expanse of land around them.

 

To me the city and the country are more feelings and ways of life than geographical positions.  It is the feelings they create.  Many of us adapt to what works at the time, but down deep . . . .  .do you consider yourself a city dweller or a country bumpkin?

 

Barn Picture courtesy of my freind Judy Revell

 

 

 

 

 

Comments (11)

Jeff&Grace Safrin
F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate - Valparaiso, IN
SpousesSellingHousesTM

Beautiful Photos and informative Links Tami - Our oldest daughter is now permanently living & working in Grand Rapids after graduating law school there - she fell in love with your state! It is an awesome city. She enjoys spending weekends in Grand Haven and visiting the countryside.

Sincerely,

grace

Oct 10, 2008 02:53 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Hi Tami, very interesting post.  This is an insightful way of looking at why we make choices about where we would prefer to live.  Thanks for sharing your thoughts with your Friends on Fraiche Aire.

Oct 10, 2008 06:37 AM
Pam Simpson
Bob Leigh & Assoc., LLC - Senatobia, MS
GRI, Broker-Assoc.

Hi Tami- I was a City Dweller until I became a County Bumpkin!  I have lived in the country now for 8 years and I love it.  You mentioned that it gets truly dark in the country - you're not kidding.  It was wonderful to go out in the middle of the night and watch a spectacular meteor shower a few years ago.  Good post.

Pam Simpson
Northwest MS Real Estate

Oct 10, 2008 07:10 AM
Shirley Parks
Sands Realty 210-414-0966 - San Antonio, TX
Broker, 210-414-0966, San Antonio TX Real Estate

Hi Tammy - You title made me laugh.  I was a country bumpkin, became a city dweller, dream of being a country bumpkin again!

Oct 10, 2008 07:44 AM
Jessica Bigger
Bigger Communications - Reston, VA
Freelance Real Estate Business Writer

Hi Tami - I love the idea of being a country bumpkin, however realistically I think being a city dweller is more for me.  It fits my needs more.  I don't want to have to drive 30 minutes or even 40 minutes to buy groceries and have to plan out my life to get around.  I know when my husband and I weighed the options: country or close to town - We had more pros on the close to town side than the country side.  I guess I'm just a city girl at heart (even though I love the big garden, chickens, pigs and goats).  By the way - I'm originally from Southfield, MI.

Oct 11, 2008 07:47 AM
Tami Vroma
West Michigan Real Estate Specialist-Five Star Real Estate - Grand Haven, MI
Realtor, Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Grace -  I am glad you enjoyed the pictures.  My friend Judy is an exceptional at photograpy.  The others I took. . . well out of necessity.  I am still learning here and got scared about all the copy right business.  I was so worried I would use something incorrectly.  I figured I was better off taking my own pics!  Your daughter did choose a wonderful place to make her life!  Grand Haven is just like Aruba-only colder!

Lola- Thank you for reading.  I am trying to get on the ball.  Spent last week learning more how to post, where to get pictures, how to put them on the page, reading and learning.  I am still "feeling my way in the dark" though--I have a lot to learn!

Pam- With ya there-people don't realize how dark it gets or how much more beautiful the stars are out in the country!~

Shirley - I get ya girlfriend!  I had to live in the city for a while.  First place we could afford a home but longed to "go home".  Now I am here!!  I thank the Lord because I am much happier!  You'll get there again too!!

Oct 13, 2008 10:49 AM
Tami Vroma
West Michigan Real Estate Specialist-Five Star Real Estate - Grand Haven, MI
Realtor, Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Jessica-  I think the city can be wondeful too!  Sometimes it is the best place for us.  Most first time home buyers can't afford the country.  I understand that so it is fun to work with people who love country but can't live there.  You just find your little piece of the country in the city--I had to have trees at least and a nice cozy back yard.  That held me out for many years!   I think small towns classify as country.  I live in the small town of Allendale but the town includes restaurants, grocery stores, and the like.  I live about 5 minutes from the things I need but look out and see my horses, fields and trees!!!

Thanks for commenting!

Oct 13, 2008 10:56 AM
Tami Vroma
West Michigan Real Estate Specialist-Five Star Real Estate - Grand Haven, MI
Realtor, Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Lola,

I just bopped on over to Fraiche Aire to start reading in my groups. BOY WAS I SURPRISED to see one of my blogs as a feature!!  My very first featured post!!!  Thank you Lola!  I'm not gonna give up this time!!!

Oct 13, 2008 12:25 PM
Anonymous
Anonymous

Very nice blog tami. I don't think i could survive in the city. I love the room to breath, the quiet, the trees, and the country neighbors. I enjoyed your article.

 

Oct 13, 2008 11:52 PM
#10
Jessica Bigger
Bigger Communications - Reston, VA
Freelance Real Estate Business Writer

Tami - That's cool. Yeah we have plenty of opportunities like you do here too.  Not too long ago some of my buyers found a house in Eureka with a little bit of land on it, which gave them the country feel and privacy they were looking for and they just got chickens not too long ago and are really enjoying the balance between city life and country life.  I agree you can have the best of both worlds.  Very true :)

Oct 14, 2008 10:45 AM
Anonymous
pibkealflz
3OHRR1 inipeyansokq
Jun 11, 2011 09:03 PM
#12