Ah, millennials. The generation that allegedly ruined everything from chain restaurants to diamond sales is now accused of abandoning big cities for wide-open spaces, leaving urban landlords clutching their pearls and craft cocktail bars eerily quiet. Yes, the 25-to-44-year-olds — known for their avocado toast addiction and preference for experiences over material possessions — are ditching bustling metropolises for towns where “rush hour” means waiting behind a tractor.
But why? What compels these young-ish, latte-sipping, Peloton-riding professionals to swap skyline views for dirt roads and, dare we say, peace and quiet? Let’s dive into this migration, one judgy observation at a time.
The Great Millennial Migration: What’s Behind It?
1. Mental Health: Less Stress, Fewer Ubers
If you’ve ever tried to hail an Uber on a rainy Friday night in a city, you’ve likely fantasized about rural life. But this isn’t just about the convenience of skipping surge pricing. Research suggests that urban environments are stress factories. Holistic psychiatrists and biopsychologists alike confirm that cities overload our senses. Honking horns, crowded sidewalks, and the constant threat of being accidentally live-streamed create cortisol spikes that even yoga can’t cure.
In contrast, rural living offers the soothing balm of nature. Want to yell into the void? There’s literally a void outside your front door. And unlike the three potted succulents gasping for air in your overpriced studio, real trees don’t die if you forget to water them for a week.
2. Cost of Living: Rent or Mortgage? Choose Your Adventure
Living in the city means choosing between paying rent or eating. Millennials, many of whom are still licking their wounds from the Great Recession and student debt, are saying enough is enough. Why spend $3,000 a month for a glorified closet when you can own an actual house for less than the price of a Tesla?
Of course, “affordable” is a relative term. A rural fixer-upper might come with the charm of vintage asbestos siding, but hey, it’s your asbestos siding. The rural cost of living also leaves room in the budget for hobbies like woodworking or chicken farming — activities you’d never attempt in a city because your landlord wouldn’t appreciate poultry in the building.
3. Community: Stranger Danger vs. Neighborly Bliss
City living is perfect if you enjoy spending most of your time avoiding eye contact. But in a small town, people actually acknowledge your existence. Neighbors wave, strangers say hello, and you might even find yourself exchanging recipes at the local farmers market. Wild, right?
As Rachel Lewis, a millennial who fled urban life, puts it: “It’s so much easier to connect with strangers.” Of course, it helps when those strangers aren’t staring at their phones or competing for a coveted seat at the neighborhood café. In the city, social interaction feels like a competitive sport; in the country, it’s a casual stroll.
The Appeal of Rural Life: Is It All Sunshine and Fresh Air?
Sure, there’s plenty to love about living outside the concrete jungle. But before you pack your bags and burn your subway card, let’s acknowledge the trade-offs.
1. Bye-Bye Delivery Apps
Do you love scrolling through 57 Thai food options at midnight? Too bad. In the country, you’ll be lucky if the local diner offers takeout. Erin Austen Abbott, author of Small Town Living, had to learn how to cook diverse cuisines because the only “delivery” in her town is the mail. Who knew escaping urban stress would mean getting intimately familiar with a crockpot?
2. Shopping Like It’s 1989
Big-city dwellers take for granted the convenience of popping into a store at any hour. In rural areas, stores close early, and finding specialty items might require a road trip. Subscription services are the unsung heroes of small-town life. Amazon Prime becomes your best friend, even if it means feeling mildly guilty about the environmental impact.
3. Airport Woes
Thinking of jetting off for a weekend in Paris? Good luck. Rural airports have fewer flights, and those idyllic landscapes come with the added bonus of a three-hour drive to catch a plane. It’s a small price to pay for serenity, but it might make you rethink spontaneous trips.
The Surprises: What City Slickers Learn in the Country
For all the romanticism about rural life, what really shocks former city dwellers is how much they don’t miss their old lives. Erin Abbott was amazed by the variety of people her small town attracted, while Lauren Breedlove found herself thriving creatively in upstate New York. Turns out, you can survive without a corner bodega — as long as you’re willing to plan ahead.
And let’s not overlook the seriously underrated perk of rural life: personal space. Forget squeezing into crowded subway cars or jostling for sidewalk room. In the country, you can stretch out, breathe deeply, and enjoy the blissful absence of other people’s armpits.
The Downsides: Not Everything is Rosy
Of course, rural life isn’t all picturesque sunsets and adorable farmers markets. Moving to the country requires sacrifices, like trading Michelin-starred restaurants for potluck dinners and adjusting to the pace of life where even the DMV is in no rush. But for millennials, the benefits far outweigh the occasional inconveniences.
What Does This Trend Mean for the Future?
As more millennials trade their city digs for rural homesteads, cities are left to grapple with a younger, emptier landscape. This trend might force urban areas to address affordability and quality of life issues to keep their remaining residents. Meanwhile, small towns are enjoying an influx of energy, creativity, and, yes, avocado toast recipes.
So, Should You Join the Rural Revolution?
If the thought of ditching your overpriced apartment for a charming farmhouse sounds appealing, you’re not alone. The millennial exodus to rural life isn’t just a trend; it’s a reflection of shifting priorities. While big cities will always have their allure, more and more young-ish adults are realizing that happiness doesn’t require skyscrapers or craft breweries on every corner.
Instead, they’re finding joy in simpler pleasures: wide-open spaces, fresh air, and the satisfaction of knowing their dog has a yard to run in. And honestly? That sounds like a dream worth chasing.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to order Thai food before the local spot closes — at 7 p.m.