"Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside." So sang Oliver Douglas, a big-city lawyer who gave it up for the joys of rural living in Green Acres. If you're considering a similar move, our REALTORS® offer a helpful five-point checklist to determine which is the right lifestyle for you.

1. Do You Prefer the Sounds of Silence?
   Cities have a perpetual soundtrack composed of elements such as traffic noise, construction, and chatter. Some people derive a sense of energy from the noise, which is a by-product of the city's constant activities. For others, the layered sounds serve as white noise, providing soothing reassurance of day-to-day life. If you find high levels of noise create stress that prevents you from fully relaxing, even during leisure time, the quiet ambience of rural areas may be more to your liking.
   
   
2. Are You a Nature Lover?
   In densely-populated cities, every square foot of land is at a premium. Undeveloped property is quickly gobbled up to feed the need for housing and commercial buildings. As a result, cities have a limited amount of green spaces where residents can spend time outdoors. Parks, birds and wildlife, and other natural sights become more plentiful as you get further away from cities. 
   
   
3. Are You a "People Person?"
   Whoever coined the phrase, "lonely in a crowd," undoubtedly lived in a city. Ironically, while cities are full of people, actual one-on-one interaction can be hard to come by. Daily life moves at a fast pace, leaving little time to forge personal relationships. Unfortunately, higher crime rates also tend to make city dwellers more distrustful of others.
   
   In rural areas, you're more likely to encounter the same people as you go about your daily business, making it easier to find common ground. With fewer cultural and entertainment options, there's an emphasis on social gatherings which tends to make people warmer and more welcoming. 
   
   
4. Are You Financially Thrifty?
   The cost of living is notoriously high in urban areas, which are a textbook example of the classic economic principle of supply and demand. Nowhere is this more evident than with housing. Cities have a limited amount of houses and apartments to accommodate a large number of people. Prices of goods and services are also driven up, along with the cost of taxes and insurance.
   
   Conversely, in rural areas where the population is smaller, the purchasing power of your dollar goes much further. Housing is more affordable, with larger homes and better amenities available for less money. With fewer overpriced stores and activities, you're also less tempted to spend frivolously.
   
   
5. Do You Want to Live a Healthier Lifestyle?
   Some of the health benefits of rural living, such as cleaner air, are immediately evident. Small towns offer a number of other advantages that may not be as obvious. For example, living in the country often affords better access to fresh, organic fruits, and vegetables.
   
   Also, in the city, physical exercise is frequently limited to gyms and other indoor facilities that require paid memberships. When you live in a rural area, you're usually just minutes away from free outdoor activities at parks, lakes, and other scenic surroundings. 

Blending big-city amenities with small-town charm, Beavercreek homes for sale offer the best of both worlds. Contact Wright-Patt Realty for cheerful and experienced assistance buying or selling a home.