Thank you so much for your encouraging comments on my last post.
You sure got me thinking about the benefits (or not) of country vs. city living. But first I'd like to share the only benefit that my sewing machine table is providing these days. Do you think he's dreaming up exciting new quilt patterns?
Lots of benefits to having a pool these first few weeks of summer vacation. We're in it every day that we don't spend driving to the city.
We even find benefits in cleaning up the pool at the end of the day. This girl adores her big brother and is so excited that he takes the time to give her "noodle rides."
And some nights this mama finds benefits in eating Chinese takeout for dinner.
Accompanied by the benefit of a welcome fortune that reads:
"Lucky you make this choice. Everything comes out for the best."
There's something endearing about the poor english and timing of this fortune that made it feel like more than a ramdom slip of paper found in a stale cookie.
Now for the Benefits of city living (in my opinion/experience):
- The city provides numerous free or low cost amenities such as -
- public parks with play equipment and restrooms,
- public swimming pools so that my kiddos can make new friends,
- well maintained walking and biking trails,
- summer concerts in the park,
- weekend farmer's markets,
- large libraries that offer e-books for download and fun activities on Tuesday mornings,
- large chain bookstores kiddos can spend hours reading + browsing in,
- museums, aquariums,
- zoos, and botanical gardens,
- local yarn store,
- target, trader joe's, joann fabrics, tj maxx, panera
- our temple and all our friends there.
Benefits of country living (in my opinion/experience):
- living on five wooded acres,
- walking dogs off leash through the woods,
- kiddos riding bikes down small quiet roads,
- watching nine chickens happily free range on our property,
- running and playing in the woods without a care in the world,
- having a pool in our yard, surrounded by woods, where my kiddos can splash and scream and swim in various states of undress. (some days this one doesn't actually feel like a benefit!)
Not-so-much benefits of country living (for our family):
- driving for 50 minutes - 1 hour to get to most parks, museums, bookstores, trader joe's, temple (with three high energy kiddos in the car)
- having to leave the house for much of the day when we drive to said city so that our trip will be "worth the two hour round trip drive," (this one is difficult with three opinionated kiddos. just the other day we drove to the city for an hour at the bookstore followed by a picnic lunch and playtime at a wonderful park when a certain ten year old middle child complained that he had no energy for a grocery store trip to buy organic fruits and veggies (we have almost no organic produce available in the country - and no CSA)
- eating out on many of the days we drive to the city because there's really no way to drive an hour there and an hour back and get home in time for lunch. (Some days I take along a picnic lunch and other days we get panini's, pizza and fruit salad from the deli section of gourmet markets but i would love to just be able to make a quick trip to target, buy what we need and get home in time for lunch.)
- having to leave the house extra early and return home extra late. (the best time to be at the farmer's market is 8am but that's hard when you're an hour away and have to get three kiddos to agree to sit in the car for an hour. When we leave the summer concert at 8:30pm we are still an hour from home and end up going to bed way past bedtime.)
- our temple is an hour away in the city (it's the nearest temple to our home which just happens to have the best ex-highschool english teacher, kiddo loving rabbi who always has time for a knock-knock joke or a game of plants vs. zombies. My kiddos cry when we can't make it to service - it's their "club.")
For our family, right now, there are benefits to both country and city living and, for a while at least, we won't have to choose. And for this we feel very fortunate - "Lucky [we] make this choice. Everything comes out for the best."
I agree, that everything can work out for the best if we let it. I am blessed with the same positive attitude that you are and it makes my life a sweet one. Even though my husband has been unemployed since April, I believe things will work out for the best. Would love to come up to Wburg and meet you for some talk/knitting time whenever your schedule allows. Happy summer days!
Posted by: Rose | June 26, 2011 at 06:29 PM
I wish you the best..everything has a way of righting itself...and the fortune is correct ;)
Posted by: theresa/t does wool | June 26, 2011 at 08:05 PM
I just caught up on your posts and I'm so excited for you and your family getting a city home, that will make things so much easier for you guys. I have a few friends that are in the process of moving or thinking about moving because they hope for a change for their families. This year just seems like the year for change, and I'm all for it! I look forward to hearing more about your new city adventures!
Posted by: Stephanie | June 26, 2011 at 09:37 PM
Sounds like things are working out beautifully for your family! I'm so excited for you as you embark on this new chapter of choices :)
Posted by: Andrea | June 26, 2011 at 09:40 PM
You are definitely enjoying the best of both worlds! Lucky you! Our lake house and our home house are both in rural areas so no matter where I am, I still have to drive a bit of a distance to get to a decent grocery store. But, I wouldn't trade either place right now. Someday, but it's working for now.
It looks like the kids are enjoying pool-life! Do they play Marco Polo?
Posted by: Jodi | June 26, 2011 at 09:59 PM
I think your life sounds full of lots of fun things to do. My daughter lives in Washington DC and I live in a small town in NJ. I love to visit her to do some good shopping and get the buzz of city life but I'm also happy to come home to my cute town and lovely yard. I think it's fun to enjoy both lifestyles.
Posted by: Beth | June 27, 2011 at 08:21 AM
For my experience country is better if you have young kids. When they get older, the city makes life much, much easier.
Posted by: aracne | June 27, 2011 at 01:37 PM
I was catching up on your blog today. Congratulations on your new home, you know have the best of both worlds!!
I think you will truly enjoy it as the children get older. My plan is to move closer to the city as the kids get older. Give them a chance to enjoy the museums and libraries, the freedom to walk places.
I am so happy for you
Posted by: Imene | June 28, 2011 at 12:31 PM
Oh my, this sounds like a beautiful move! I can not wait to hear all about your adventures :).
Posted by: Heather | June 28, 2011 at 12:59 PM
I'll bet as you begin your new life in the city you'll be able to add even more benefits. So happy for you and your family what a blessing to be able to live both lives! Can't wait to read all about the adventures of your city/country family!
Posted by: Lisa Q | June 28, 2011 at 09:15 PM
It seems the world thinks you have made the right decision as a family. There may be a little extra work involved but you are getting the best of both worlds. Enjoy your summer!
Posted by: tara | June 29, 2011 at 08:19 AM
It has been long before I can find some useful articles about Your views truly open my mind.
Posted by: Tommy Mens Polos | June 30, 2011 at 04:04 AM
Looks like the entire process was well thought out! I'm sure the benefits will be outweighing any negatives that might try to get in your way. I hope you are well and happy! Hugs to you!!
Posted by: kristyn | July 11, 2011 at 10:08 PM
I agree, that everything can work out for the best if we let it. I am blessed with the same positive attitude that you are and it makes my life a sweet one. Even though my husband has been unemployed since April, I believe things will work out for the best. Would love to come up to Wburg and meet you for some talk/knitting time whenever your schedule allows. Happy summer days!
Posted by: supra | July 23, 2011 at 02:36 AM
I agree, that everything can work out for the best if we let it. I am blessed with the same positive attitude that you are and it makes my life a sweet one. Even though my husband has been unemployed since April, I believe things will work out for the best. Would love to come up to Wburg and meet you for some talk/knitting time whenever your schedule allows. Happy summer days!
Posted by: supra | July 26, 2011 at 12:03 AM
Thinking of you and wondering if you're safe and sound!! Hope to see you and the kiddos soon!!
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