There’s something sacred about growing up in the country. Life had a rhythm—slow, steady, soul-soothing. But let’s be real: country living isn’t always romanticized perfection. Now that I’ve experienced both the quiet hollers of the Appalachians and the rush of city life, I’ve gained a unique perspective. Here’s my honest take on what I truly miss about the country… and what I honestly don’t.

🌿 What I Miss Most About Country Living

1. The Silence That Heals

Back in the mountains, nights were filled with stillness—broken only by the chirp of crickets or the eerie scream of a mountain lion echoing through the trees at my aunt’s house up on Hyatt’s Creek in western North Carolina. That kind of silence sinks into your bones and resets your spirit.

2. Star-Filled Skies

There’s nothing like stepping outside and seeing the entire Milky Way spilled across the sky. In the city, that view’s replaced by glowing streetlights and high-rise reflections. I miss the stars more than I ever thought I would.

3. Familiar Faces and Front Porch Chats

In the country, community felt like family. People waved from their trucks, asked how your mama was doing, and meant it. Porch sittin’ was therapy, and time moved slower when you shared it with someone over coffee or sweet tea.

4. Fresh Food and Slower Meals

From homegrown tomatoes to fresh eggs and wild blackberry jam, country cooking is a language of love. Meals weren’t rushed—they were shared, savored, and always made from scratch with a little prayer and a lot of butter.

🚧 What I Don’t Miss (And Why That’s Okay)

1. Isolation in a Crunch

Peace and quiet are great—until a storm knocks out your power and the nearest store is 40 minutes away. In the city, I’ve come to appreciate the convenience of being a block away from everything I need.

2. Fewer Opportunities

There’s no denying the country can be limiting—especially for creative minds or career seekers. And while the has city challenged me, stretched me, and introduced me to opportunities I never knew existed. I also have enjoyed the experience of stretching myself in the country as well and creating those opportunities that didn’t exist.

3. Everyone Knowing Your Business

In a small town, news travels faster than you can blink. Privacy was hard to come by. And the same thing goes for the City life. While it has given me breathing room—to grow, to change, and to do it without commentary. It also lacks a lot in the privacy area. As living in one skyscraper, you can see straight through the rooms of a neighboring building. Needless to say that this Southern modest chick has had a lot of acclimating to do.

4. Feeling Like the “Odd One”

Now here’s one for you. When your dreams, style, or personality didn’t fit the mold, it showed. And not always kindly. I remember one time my husband and I were attending a small church in North East Georgia. And the church had just put down some new flooring, and me being a carpenter’s daughter and growing up around new carpet and construction smells. I began to dance as I took it all in and I didn’t care that I was making a spectacle of myself as I was taking it all in. No sooner had I begun as a man there said, “What is wrong with her?” Right in front of my husband. Needless to say that my husband was mortified as he saw how simply overjoyed I was and rebuked the man. As no one really knew at the time that I was autistic- and that’s okay!

That being said, in the city, I’ve found a space where I can breathe and people who not only accept my uniqueness but celebrate it.

💡 Final Thoughts

I’m thankful for my country roots—and I carry them proudly. But I’m also grateful for the growth and a new perspective that I’ve found in the city. You don’t have to reject one to embrace the other. I’ve learned to blend both into a life that feels authentic, grounded, and full of grace.

Whether you were raised on a dirt road or a downtown block, there’s something valuable in both worlds. You can be strong, soulful, and a little bit wild—wherever you are.

If you enjoyed reading this and felt a spark of connection to your own journey, I’d love your support! You can tip me over at Buy Me A Coffee. Every little bit helps me keep sharing stories from the hollers to the high-rises—and beyond. Your support helps me keep writing with heart, honesty, and a whole lotta mountain grit. 💛🐾☕