Since the beginning of my time at my secondary school, there have always been comments about where I live. They are meant in jest, I know, but I've decided that I'm going to tell you urbanites why "living in a field" (as you all put it) isn't all that bad. In fact, I would even argue that it is better!
The problem stems from the fact that my school accepts students from a wide range of locations, with pupils often needing to travel for up to 90 minutes in some cases to get there. There are students living in the city, the boroughs and greater Hertfordshire, which means everyone has different backgrounds. I have lived in my house since the age of three, so I've grown up in a more rural environment than the majority of people I know. I promise you, however, that this has not been a disadvantage...
I'm not going to deny that London has more life than the town I live in - even I laugh at the idea of claiming otherwise- but, surely, isn't that the case for everywhere that isn't a major metropolitan city? Some friends of mine (you know who you are) could hardly function without the complex network of public transport that London offers, which is going to be a problem if they ever have to leave the big city and experience what it is like to *cue scary music* HAVE NO TUBE.
Admittedly I don't have a local tube station, but I do have a local train station that means I can get to all the same places as my Londoner compatriots...with perhaps an extra 15 minutes journey time accounted for. In fact, I would go as far as to say that I have the best of both worlds because I can wake up to birds tweeting in the wood right next to my house - and then be almost anywhere in the city within an hour.
As you can see, by living "in the country" I lose nothing...particularly as crime levels are lower here!
(See what I did there? Wordplay? Yeah? No?...OK)
Another benefit of my location is that is perfect for me to enjoy one of my favourite methods of relaxation: cycling. I am lucky enough to be surrounded by woods (with one, quite literally, on my doorstep) and fields, providing me with miles of trails and scenic beauty to enjoy during my rides. Nothing clears my head and relaxes me more thoroughly than sticking my iPod on (don't worry, on the trails it's not dangerous) and just pedalling for 10 miles or so. Personally I hate cycling on the roads; you can't truly let your mind relax, you have to be on red alert all the time for cars or traffic lights or some maniac who doesn't know how to drive. After all, if Bradley Wiggins can be run over, anybody can.
Moreover, I can assure you it's not just me exaggerating these perks, as it has been proven that exposure to nature away from urban environments is beneficial for your mental and physical health. According to the Oxford Medical Journals, "A considerable body of research shows that viewing natural scenes has a positive health impact." There is evidence to show that viewing nature can lead to a reduction in blood pressure and similar health benefits. With regard to mental health, the journal stated that: "Exposure to nature was shown to reduce mental fatigue, irritability and accidents, and improve problem solving ability and concentration in people from urban areas..." according to numerous studies conducted.
I don't know about you, but I'd rather have that than a tube station - especially during exam season!
Of course, not everybody can handle nature. My face, I imagine, was quite a picture when I was first told about the adventures of a friend of a friend (who will, out of the goodness of my heart, remain nameless) who went for a weekend break to Cornwall with her boyfriend. They normally live in the heart of London and are the epitome of what is meant by the term 'urbanites'. After arriving in Cornwall and settling into their hotel in one of the little rural towns nestled between the rural expanse of woods, pastures and beaches...they realised there were cows. And, like all living creatures, cows...er...excrete. They thought this was unacceptably messy. So naturally, like any sane person who is disturbed by the digestive processes of cows, they remained inside their hotel for the entire weekend.
I kid you not.
For those of you who are not afraid of nature but would still seek the city life, I'm sorry to tell you that in order to afford yourself some kind of decent 'natural environment' in London, you would need to shell out for property in places like Kensington or Hadley Wood which, for the most part, cost up to several million pounds. It shows you the value placed on natural areas, which is another reason why I count myself very lucky to live where I do.
Above all, from a more social perspective, living in a smaller town gives a greater sense of community in comparison to a great faceless city like London which - depending on where you draw the line on the London Metropolitan area - holds anything up to 12-18 million people. What kind of tight community can exist in an area as large as that? In comparison, I would say it is safer and more comfortable to live in an area such as mine.
It is not my intention to insult or put down any of the places where my urbanite colleagues live at all. I think London is a wonderful place with countless assets, and there is no denying that. But you started it!
If you want to read more about the health benefits of a natural environment, HERE is the link to the Oxford Journals I referenced earlier.
What do you think? Do places with rural landscapes still have value, or does the thought of a place bereft of the Underground leave you trembling? Comment below!
The problem stems from the fact that my school accepts students from a wide range of locations, with pupils often needing to travel for up to 90 minutes in some cases to get there. There are students living in the city, the boroughs and greater Hertfordshire, which means everyone has different backgrounds. I have lived in my house since the age of three, so I've grown up in a more rural environment than the majority of people I know. I promise you, however, that this has not been a disadvantage...
I'm not going to deny that London has more life than the town I live in - even I laugh at the idea of claiming otherwise- but, surely, isn't that the case for everywhere that isn't a major metropolitan city? Some friends of mine (you know who you are) could hardly function without the complex network of public transport that London offers, which is going to be a problem if they ever have to leave the big city and experience what it is like to *cue scary music* HAVE NO TUBE.
Admittedly I don't have a local tube station, but I do have a local train station that means I can get to all the same places as my Londoner compatriots...with perhaps an extra 15 minutes journey time accounted for. In fact, I would go as far as to say that I have the best of both worlds because I can wake up to birds tweeting in the wood right next to my house - and then be almost anywhere in the city within an hour.
As you can see, by living "in the country" I lose nothing...particularly as crime levels are lower here!
(See what I did there? Wordplay? Yeah? No?...OK)
Another benefit of my location is that is perfect for me to enjoy one of my favourite methods of relaxation: cycling. I am lucky enough to be surrounded by woods (with one, quite literally, on my doorstep) and fields, providing me with miles of trails and scenic beauty to enjoy during my rides. Nothing clears my head and relaxes me more thoroughly than sticking my iPod on (don't worry, on the trails it's not dangerous) and just pedalling for 10 miles or so. Personally I hate cycling on the roads; you can't truly let your mind relax, you have to be on red alert all the time for cars or traffic lights or some maniac who doesn't know how to drive. After all, if Bradley Wiggins can be run over, anybody can.
Moreover, I can assure you it's not just me exaggerating these perks, as it has been proven that exposure to nature away from urban environments is beneficial for your mental and physical health. According to the Oxford Medical Journals, "A considerable body of research shows that viewing natural scenes has a positive health impact." There is evidence to show that viewing nature can lead to a reduction in blood pressure and similar health benefits. With regard to mental health, the journal stated that: "Exposure to nature was shown to reduce mental fatigue, irritability and accidents, and improve problem solving ability and concentration in people from urban areas..." according to numerous studies conducted.
I don't know about you, but I'd rather have that than a tube station - especially during exam season!
Of course, not everybody can handle nature. My face, I imagine, was quite a picture when I was first told about the adventures of a friend of a friend (who will, out of the goodness of my heart, remain nameless) who went for a weekend break to Cornwall with her boyfriend. They normally live in the heart of London and are the epitome of what is meant by the term 'urbanites'. After arriving in Cornwall and settling into their hotel in one of the little rural towns nestled between the rural expanse of woods, pastures and beaches...they realised there were cows. And, like all living creatures, cows...er...excrete. They thought this was unacceptably messy. So naturally, like any sane person who is disturbed by the digestive processes of cows, they remained inside their hotel for the entire weekend.
I kid you not.
For those of you who are not afraid of nature but would still seek the city life, I'm sorry to tell you that in order to afford yourself some kind of decent 'natural environment' in London, you would need to shell out for property in places like Kensington or Hadley Wood which, for the most part, cost up to several million pounds. It shows you the value placed on natural areas, which is another reason why I count myself very lucky to live where I do.
Above all, from a more social perspective, living in a smaller town gives a greater sense of community in comparison to a great faceless city like London which - depending on where you draw the line on the London Metropolitan area - holds anything up to 12-18 million people. What kind of tight community can exist in an area as large as that? In comparison, I would say it is safer and more comfortable to live in an area such as mine.
It is not my intention to insult or put down any of the places where my urbanite colleagues live at all. I think London is a wonderful place with countless assets, and there is no denying that. But you started it!
If you want to read more about the health benefits of a natural environment, HERE is the link to the Oxford Journals I referenced earlier.
What do you think? Do places with rural landscapes still have value, or does the thought of a place bereft of the Underground leave you trembling? Comment below!