WHY WE MOVED FROM THE BIG CITY TO THE COUNTRYSIDE | London to rural Sussex

Summary

This video script narrates the journey of the speaker and Josh, who moved from bustling London to a serene countryside life in Sussex. They share the challenges and joys of adapting to a slower pace, embracing nature, and finding community. The speaker reflects on the creative energy and sense of belonging that comes from living close to nature, and expresses a desire for an even deeper connection with the wilderness.

Takeaways

• 🏡 The speaker and their partner, Josh, moved from London to the rural Sussex countryside over three years ago, living in a Tudor farmhouse surrounded by nature.
• 🌳 The speaker contrasts the bustling city life in London with the calm, spacious, and nature-filled life in the countryside.
• 👩‍🎨 In London, the speaker was drawn to the city's vibrancy and history but eventually felt overwhelmed by the noise, pressure, and crowdedness.
• 🍃 The move to the countryside brought a slower pace of life, less external stress, and a deeper connection with nature.
• 🚜 Living in the countryside comes with challenges such as limited public transport, unreliable internet, and difficulty in finding community.
• 🌱 The speaker now spends more time outdoors, growing their own food and enjoying the simple pleasures of nature.
• 🎸 The speaker feels more creative and inspired in the countryside, learning new skills like playing the guitar, singing, and writing music.
• 🐦 Being closer to nature has made the speaker more aware of ecological issues and the importance of sustainability.
• 😊 The past three years in the countryside have been some of the happiest for the speaker, who now feels a strong sense of belonging and connection to the natural environment.
• 🌲 The speaker is considering an even more remote lifestyle in the future, such as living in a wooden cabin in the forest.

Q & A

What prompted the narrator and Josh to move from London to the countryside?

The narrator and Josh moved to the countryside because they were seeking a calmer and more nature-oriented lifestyle, as they started to feel anxious and claustrophobic in the bustling city of London.

How did the narrator's experience of growing up in Germany influence their dream of moving to London?

The narrator's visit to London at the age of 14 sparked a fascination with the city's skyline, buzz, and culture, which led to a long-standing dream of living there.

What were some of the challenges the narrator faced in adjusting to life in the countryside?

Some challenges included the lack of convenience in accessing supermarkets and public transport, the absence of mobile phone reception, and the unreliable internet requiring the narrator to hike up a hill to upload videos.

How did the narrator's living situation in London differ from their life in the countryside?

In London, the narrator lived in property guardianships with community volunteers, experiencing sudden problems and malfunctions. In contrast, in the countryside, they enjoy more space, less noise, and a slower pace of life with fewer external forces determining their inner pace.

What creative outlets did the narrator find in the countryside that they didn't have in London?

The narrator discovered a sense of creative energy in the countryside, leading to the creation of videos, learning to play the guitar, singing, and writing their own music.

How did the narrator's perception of their surroundings change after moving to the countryside?

The narrator became more aware of the subtle changes in nature throughout the year and felt more in tune with the seasons, experiencing a sense of belonging and being part of the ecosystem.

What is the significance of the narrator's mention of ecological destruction and climate breakdown?

The mention signifies the narrator's heightened awareness and concern for the environment, which has led them to feel more grounded and motivated to contribute to finding effective and creative solutions to these issues.

How did the narrator describe the process of meeting new people and finding a community in the countryside?

The narrator found it more challenging to meet people and find a community in the countryside compared to London, where they were surrounded by people with diverse backgrounds and lifestyles. However, they were fortunate to have lovely neighbors.

What are some of the practical adjustments the narrator had to make after moving to the countryside?

The narrator had to adjust to the lack of nearby amenities like supermarkets and public transport, and they eventually purchased a second-hand hybrid car for transportation. They also had to adapt to the absence of mobile phone reception and unreliable internet.

How did the narrator's lifestyle change in terms of growing their own food after moving to the countryside?

The narrator now spends more time outdoors, with much more space to grow their own fruit and vegetables. They find it satisfying to pick what's ripe from the garden and plan meals around their home-grown produce.

What does the narrator suggest about their future aspirations for living space?

The narrator expresses a desire for even wider spaces, possibly a wooden cabin in a forest, indicating a continued longing for a deeper connection with nature.