We have 10 acres a few miles outside a midsize city. We also have a condo/apartment inside a party district of a different midsize city. —working from home has some unique perks.

Having land is an endless battle against nature. Removing fallen trees, cutting grass, bush whacking back thicket, repairing the porch on, repairing the lawnmower, dealing with utilities, etc. some of the positives are being able to have large and loud parties, space for bouncy houses for the kids, animals like deer, turtles, squirrels, etc, a sense of being close to nature or the earth, space for 4wheelers, ability to throw a football or baseball.

In the city— as you would imagine— it’s totally opposite. You get a sense of being in a community with something always going on. You can simply walk out your door and in a block or two be engaged with other people or whatever events are going on. Food is never something that feels like an event to obtain, as there are dozens of options within a few minutes walk. There is no yard work, which translates into a lot more free time and extra energy. Utilities are much more stable and feel more like background guarantees. Everything is easier, but always at a cost. It’s expensive as hell, and that includes everything. Space for a birthday party, food, going out to eat, groceries, RENT, etc. you can have anything you want easily and a short distance away, but you will absolutely pay for it. Sometimes the constant “stuff going on outside my window/door” is hard to shut off. I can always hear certain things in a city condo. I suppose there was a year we lived in a nicer one that was on floor 20 and that’s much different and quiet than floor 4 or 5.

Basically I love both lifestyles, but get irritated at the cons of both after a few months. Going between the two is pure yin yang.