Have you ever found yourself daydreaming about leaving the hustle of the big city life behind?
Catalonia, particularly the vibrant Barcelona metropolitan area, has seen a notable shift in residential mobility patterns in recent years in terms of an urban - rural flow. This means the reversion of previous patterns of out-migration from rural into urban communities with consequent abandonment of natural values. Nowadays, many urbanites are choosing to trade the urban jungle for the benefits of rural living.
Could this be an option for you too? Let’s explore if country life might be your next step.
Challenges and Opportunities
One of the most important reasons to consider rural living is the promise of a better quality of life. Away from the noise and congestion of the city, a rural environment offers peace, silence and a stronger connection to nature. Moreover, rural communities often boost a strong sense of camaraderie compared to the usually anonymous city life. And with remote work becoming increasingly prevalent, many individuals are finding that they can enjoy the advantages of rural living while maintaining their professional careers. This could also bring new opportunities for the villages, like a growing variety of activities and products in these regions that contribute to new dynamics in local businesses and their marketing within external networks.
But before you start packing your bags to transition to the countryside, be aware that it is not without its challenges and that there may be limitations to those desired benefits. Migrants to rural areas might also encounter feelings of mistrust from the local community, which is worried about potential consequences accompanying the influx of newcomers. Additionally, the access to amenities, healthcare services and public transportation may be more limited compared to urban centers. Cities like Barcelona, for example, have a vibrant cultural scene, offer you diverse dining options and convenient access to everything you desire. That’s why for many people the decision to relocate is forced and shaped by practical considerations, such as more affordable housing options. This, on the other hand, means that rural life also offers the opportunity for greater financial stability.
Do a workation and try it out yourself!
As we experience this shift in residential mobility patterns, it is natural to wonder if rural living might hold the key to a more fulfilling and balanced lifestyle. In case your company supports a hybrid work model, you could do a workation and take a few weeks to immerse yourself in a temporary rural home and envision what life could be like in such an environment. Be aware that this can only provide a preliminary understanding and as these migration patterns continue to gain prominence, new challenges in integration may emerge. But still, it would give you a notion about whether you are generally inclined to follow that idea.
Stay open to new ways of living and reflect for yourself: Is rural living the next chapter in your story? The answer might just surprise you.
Links to read more:
Institut Metròpoli (2023), Rural i Urbà: migracions, entorn residencial i estructures d’oportunitat, https://www.institutmetropoli.cat/noticias/migracio-entorn-urba-rural/
ROBUST, a European research project, https://rural-urban.eu