On top of that, I have access to forests, rivers and a prairie preserve without having to drive, and it is fantastic.
Well, I happen to know most people in rural areas in the US don't have anything like this. Nearly all land in the US is cris-crossed with fences and "out in the country" on average presents one with no place to hike pleasantly anywhere in walking distance to one's private property.
The last time I lived in the country, I could walk along a busy highway to a small graveyard and that was it. Living in-town, Nevada City, I have far more walking options and can see forest, rivers and mountains because having lots of paths helps this place maintain it's tourist town status. Of course, when I lived in Berkeley, CA, I also had lots of walking options, including through forests and hills and that was full "urban" experience.
American rural life is often unhappy for this and other reasons. A lot of people living in rural areas are poor and angry with little interest in despoiled, formerly natural areas they grew up in since they generally descend from workers in extractive industries that have moved on (mining and logging).
> A lot of people living in rural areas are poor and angry
This is a fair description of a lot of dense urban living as well. There are a lot of boring rural places- pretty much anywhere that is heavily dominated by farmlands. That doesn't mean that there aren't tons of beautiful, rural places as well. Go to any major city, and you'll find the same- bad neighborhoods and good. The (obvious) difference is that they're a lot closer together.
Well, I happen to know most people in rural areas in the US don't have anything like this. Nearly all land in the US is cris-crossed with fences and "out in the country" on average presents one with no place to hike pleasantly anywhere in walking distance to one's private property.
The last time I lived in the country, I could walk along a busy highway to a small graveyard and that was it. Living in-town, Nevada City, I have far more walking options and can see forest, rivers and mountains because having lots of paths helps this place maintain it's tourist town status. Of course, when I lived in Berkeley, CA, I also had lots of walking options, including through forests and hills and that was full "urban" experience.
American rural life is often unhappy for this and other reasons. A lot of people living in rural areas are poor and angry with little interest in despoiled, formerly natural areas they grew up in since they generally descend from workers in extractive industries that have moved on (mining and logging).
So, I remain an advocate of dense, urban living.