I might go for a city if not for the environmental challenges, people not feeling like people, and the violence. Cities seem built on quantity, villages are built on quality.
They are both too big for me. I like a small rural community, where everything is close enough that no car is needed (an island in my case). I grew up in a city, and I'm so glad I got out of there.
UK answer: city 100% no question.
Being able to actually get places and do things and have people to do those things with, I don't even know how a small town could ever compare. Grew up in one, currently living in another one, both crap.
Costco or bust.
Big city. I feel claustrophobic in small towns.
Big city that is close to wilderness. Like, a 1 hour drive to leave the city and be in a forest.
I like having my big selection of restaurants, entertainment venues, large hospitals with lots of doctors and specialists, massage therapists/physiotherapists, high speed internet/phone, oddball clubs and sports, and Costco.
I also want to get away from it all easily for a day or two at a time.
I don't want a huge lawn or massive house, that's just extra chores. I'd rather just live in a condo, higher up with a nice view, but it has to be near a park. Let someone else mow the damn lawn. And I like being within walking distance of groceries, movie theaters, and restaurants.
Live in the US, and I live in a village, like there’s not even enough people here to be a town. There are cities within reasonable driving distances (5 mins - 1 hour depending on what you want to do/see.)
But, for the most part I like staying here in my area. Not too much noice and plenty of woods to see and go through. But still good food around, and fairly decent places to go and see.
Big city so long as I don't have upstairs neighbors.
I don't know if I could ever deal with (American) upstairs neighbors again in my life. The percentage of inconsiderate people meeting the percentage of multi-family housing with basically no soundproofing is a recipe for sleeplessness and rage.
Small town, need woods
Having lived in both, big city no question. People stay out of your shit there.
I want to be able to have your take, but I get so overwhelmed by crowds of people and noise...
I've lived in both, and prefer big cities as long as I'm living in a walkable neighborhood.
I think a small city works well enough for me. It's basically the best of both worlds.
Small town for sure. I love the outdoors, I love the quiet life, I love the community cohesion, I love pretty little houses and cottages and I love animals. I adore hills and crags and mountains and valleys.
The city itself isn't really my scene. I don't like cars, I don't like shopping centres, I don't like big flashing lights, and loud noises, and I don't like sirens or clubs. I especially don't like loud cars and pollution.
I live in a city now and I just miss the colour green and ponds and lakes and people that smile and say hello. I realise the country isnt perfect and there's still things I'd miss about the city but by far I'd rather live out there than the middle of a city.
Small town. I was born and raised in Toronto/GTA. Moved to a small town during Covid, where my dad was born and raised… Absolutely love it. I do of things I was never able to do (or did) in the city. I can do all of those things alone and without people watching (wonderful, as an introvert).
I do occasionally travel to Toronto for work, and I absolutely despise it. First day, I want to go back home. Too much chaos. Too much traffic. Too much people. I simply don’t know what to do when I’m there and have free time.
Rural village please and thank you
There was a city I lived in that had a small town feel on Vancouver Island. It was nice being able to go do things like eat at restaurants, hike, go buy hobby stuff, but also the freedom of driving a few minutes to the woods to be alone. The neighborhood I lived in and the surrounding area was quiet and close to nature. So, I'd say I'd like to live in a small town, since I grew up in one, but be close enough to a city where I can do stuff.
City. Everything closes at night in podunk towns, and everybody is a Republican.
Given those choices, a big city. But ideal is a medium sized city.
Big enough to get a Costco.
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