Since I grew up in such sparse surroundings, the hardships of city living hit me pretty hard, especially in the earlier years. It's dirty, noisier, crowded, and likely more dangerous than rural living (though not necessarily in Tokyo). Being overstimulated as someone with my particular nervous system (for me, the lights are brighter, the touches are more painful, the noises are louder, and the smells are stinkier) was something which continually sapped my energy and made me more prone to fatigue and depression.
By the end of my time in Japan, however, I'd largely adapted and now I'm struggling with the loss of stimulation from living in the suburbs. When I first returned, I spent three months in a rural area and just about lost it from the lack of anything to do. In the end, it seems that the negative aspects of living in a metropolis did not outweigh the positive ones. If my husband and I could have accomplished our goals in Tokyo, I'm pretty sure we never would have left. In retrospect, I miss living there despite all of the things I complained about in my original post.
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"Likely more dangerous than rural living"; you cannot argue preferences, but usually city-living is safer, in fact. It doesn't seem so, but suburban or rural living is lived out of cars, and the increased obesity is the largest factor in increased mortality. Staying with cars, speeds are higher and more trips travelled in cars than on foot or bicycle, increasing the fatality rate. Do not forget that the empty streets of suburbs and rural areas allow more opportunity for crime to go unnoticed, so crime rates are often as high as 'bad neighbourhoods' in the city. Not saying you, but most humans are very poor at assessing risk - which is why cul de sacs are not seen as the hell-holes they are.
ReplyDeleteI was actually only referring to crime (the chances of getting robbed or murdered). You are right about the other risks involving cars, obesity, and other aspects relating to poverty. The empty streets in the rural area I grew up in were really pretty safe. I'm pretty sure though that suburbs are a whole other story and would not feel comfortable walking around where I live now
DeleteI also grew up in a very rural area, and now live in a city. It's ironic, but my neighborhood now is actually much quieter than my rural home, due to the busy state route that ran by it (trucks all night long). And even though there was no traffic, you had to drive at least 10 minutes to get to even a fast-food restaurant, and 35 minutes to the nearest city. Now, I have an infinite number of choices within a 10-minute drive.
ReplyDeleteI have no plans to ever live in a rural area again.
Ah really? At least you tried adapting to it :)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I have my own blog which focuses on Asian culture and entertainment such as video games and I wonder if it is possible for you to view it and tell me what you think and how to improve my blog in the “About the Writer” page please: http://nynyonlinex.wordpress.com