"This or That " contest Week -2 - Is it better to live in a village or a city?

Hello stemians happy Tuesday

Title: Is It Better to Live in a City or Village?

This has always been one of those big questions people ask when they’re weighing their lifestyle options. Some people will tell you that village life is the best peaceful, slow, and refreshing. Others will argue that the city is where you find real opportunities, growth, and advancement. Honestly, both sides make sense. It just depends on what someone wants out of life.

As someone who has tasted both sides the calmness of the village and the fast pace of city life I’ve come to realise that each has its unique flavour. In this post, I’ll talk about the advantages and disadvantages of both city and village life, and then give my honest conclusion based on experience and observation.

The Beauty and Burden of Village Life

One of the most beautiful things about living in a village is the peace of mind it offers. Everything moves slowly, and that’s not a bad thing. The environment is usually clean, the air is fresh, and the natural scenery is something else. You can wake up to birds singing, not car horns or generator noise. Life feels more connected to nature. You can actually hear yourself think.

Villages are great for building strong relationships. People know each other. Neighbours check on each other, and there’s a sense of togetherness you won’t easily find in the city. If someone’s ill, neighbours show up. If there’s a celebration, the whole community joins in. That community spirit is rare in urban areas.

Another sweet thing about the village is how affordable things are. Food especially is cheaper sometimes even free if you grow your own. You might find someone giving you yam, plantain, or oranges just because they harvested plenty. You don’t even need to buy every single thing from the market.

But with all that goodness comes some hard truths. Job opportunities are very limited. If you’re young and trying to build a career or a business, the village might slow you down. You may not find high-paying jobs or companies that can help you grow. Most of the work there is farming or small trading.

Then there’s the issue of infrastructure. Light (electricity) may be unstable or unavailable, and sometimes you have to fetch water from a stream or borehole. Good hospitals might be far away, and not every village has quality schools. If you’re someone who needs fast internet, reliable transport, or regular power supply, village life will test your patience.

City Life: Opportunities and Overload

City life, on the other hand, is filled with opportunities. That’s one of its biggest selling points. Whether it’s education, career, or business, the city opens more doors. You can attend better schools, learn new skills, find better jobs, and meet all kinds of people who can help you grow. Almost everything is within reach malls, hospitals, offices, restaurants, entertainment centres name it.

There’s also exposure. City life sharpens you. You learn how to survive, how to compete, and how to navigate a fast-moving world. You see technology everywhere, and things are constantly improving. For ambitious people, this environment keeps you on your toes. You want to do more, be more, and earn more.

But make no mistake, city life is stressful. Traffic is a daily battle. You can spend hours just trying to get to work or school. Noise is everywhere from cars, generators, construction, and even neighbours. Everyone is rushing somewhere, and there’s little time to truly connect with others. Most people don’t even know who their neighbours are.

Living in the city is also expensive. From rent to transportation to food, everything is costly. One small room in the city can cost more than a whole flat in the village. And then there’s the pressure. You always feel like you have to keep working, keep pushing, or else you’ll fall behind. This can lead to stress, anxiety, or even depression. Crime is another issue in many cities, especially where there’s poverty.

So while the city gives you chances to grow, it also drains you. The hustle is real, and not everyone can keep up with the pace.

Where Is Better, Really?

At this point, you can already see that neither the city nor the village is perfect. Each has its light and its shadows. Some people prefer the simple, quiet life that the village offers — especially retirees, creatives, or those who value calmness over chaos. Others can’t imagine living outside the city because their dreams are tied to the opportunities only urban life can provide.

For me, I think the best life is a balanced one. Live in the city while you’re still active, working, and trying to achieve certain goals. Then, when the time comes for peace and rest, the village is the best escape. Some people even do both work in the city, but go to the village during holidays or weekends to cool off and reconnect.

Another smart idea is to invest in the village while you earn from the city. That way, you’re not just choosing one, you’re using both to your advantage.

Conclusion

So, is it better to live in a city or village? My answer is this: it depends on your season of life and what matters most to you. The city gives you growth, the village gives you peace. Both are important. It’s not really about choosing one over the other, but about knowing when and how to use the strengths of each to build a meaningful life.

In the end, it’s not where you live that makes your life better it’s what you make out of where you live.

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