Benefits of Country Living
According to an article, “5 Surprising Benefits of Country Living According to Science” written for the National Association of REALTORS by Kimberly D Neumann, those who commit to life in the country will reap scientifically proven benefits.
Benefit No. 1: More 'vitamin G'
"Vitamin G" stands for greenery—trees and plants. Not merely pretty, they also come with serious benefits. Scientific studies have shown that when humans are deprived of greenery, they can suffer in a variety of significant ways.
For instance, a University of Michigan study found that when humans spend even a few minutes on a crowded city street, their brain is less able to retain information or control impulses. Another study found that residents of apartments with views of concrete/asphalt reported higher levels of aggression and violence than did their counterparts living in identical buildings with tree views.
There's also air quality: People living around more trees and grass generally experience lower levels of air pollution, which has been linked to conditions associated with asthma and heart disease.
Benefit No. 2: Fewer psychological problems
Feel like the city is making you crazy? It actually might be. According to the journal Schizophrenia Bulletin, at least 10 studies have shown that people in urban areas are more likely to develop psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.
Additional studies have shown that rural residents (those living in relatively green regions) are less likely to have anxiety disorders.
The same study found that green environments can also relieve sadness and depression. That's definitely something to smile about.
Benefit No. 3: You're less likely to get mugged
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics' annual National Crime Victimization survey, violent crime rates in rural areas are nearly 1/3 lower than those in urban centers. In 2012, the rate of violent victimizations reported in metropolitan areas was 3.2%, as opposed to 2.1% in rural areas. Rape, murder, and property crime rates per capita are also substantially lower in rural areas.
Benefit No. 4: You're more likely to own your home
Most people dream of owning, rather than renting, their own home some day, and it seems that possibility gets exponentially higher the farther into the country one is willing to venture.
Benefit No. 5: Lower cost of living
Many people cite a lower cost of living as a reason for making a rural move, and there's undisputed truth to this argument. While your basic food shopping trip might clue you into this ($12 for a box of Cheerios in Brooklyn?!), studies support it, too. For instance, research in the International Regional Science Review found that in Pennsylvania the average urban resident pays 6% more for all six major categories of goods—groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services—with the greatest difference (13%) occurring for housing costs.
Information obtained from REALTOR.com website. Credit to Kimberly Dawn Neumann, author, performer, and fitness professional. Follow @KimberlyNeumann