Things locals miss after going from countryside to city

When I first moved to Japan, we lived in Tokyo, but then took the plunge and moved to the Niigata countryside and have been here since. I know a lot of people do the reverse (countryside to urban migration), but the grass isn't always greener in the big cities.

A recent survey of 221 people who moved from Japan's countryside to Tokyo revealed a sentiment that many of us expats might relate to, which is that sometimes, the things you leave behind are the ones you miss the most. The survey participants were asked about the main things they noticed about going from country to city, and the most appreciated rural perks included were as follows.

• Not as many crowds – This has been something I've loved about our transition to countryside life. I don’t need to worry that every cafe or local attraction is going to be jam-packed with people, and I think if you're the kind of person that gets overstimulated easily, countryside life is much easier to manage.

• Lower cost of living – Life in rural Japan can offer a big financial breather, especially at a time where the cost of living is such a hot topic. I can relate to this, as our rent is extremely reasonable out here, and we have more space, too. We also have access to several farmer's markets (and get lots of excess veg from our neighbors!) so our grocery bills are cheaper.

• Nature and clean air – When I lived in Tokyo, I'd have to catch the train to somewhere like Showa Kinen Park or Mt. Takao to feel like I wasn't surrounded by urban sprawl. Out here I've got rice fields basically at my front door, and mountains nearby for hiking, winter sports, and the like.

• Friendly neighbors and deeper community ties – In contrast to Tokyo's relative anonymity, many respondents missed chatting with neighbors or receiving homegrown vegetables. It definitely feels more neighborly out here than my life in Tokyo ever did.

• Less crowded transport – Rush hour in Tokyo can be brutal, especially on certain lines. In the countryside, when I catch the train it's never jam-packed, and I have the ability to drive more places because there's often free parking. Also, it's just not as intimidating driving in the countryside compared to Tokyo's traffic!

Interestingly, over 60% of respondents said they have considered returning to their hometowns after their jaunt in the city life realm. Although I still enjoy my city visits these days, I often breathe a sigh of relief when I’m out of the urban area.

Did you come from a city or countryside environment in your home country? Do you have a preference for either urban or rural living?