- It is estimated that 80% of Brits are considering moving to the countryside
This is a luxurious, glossy magazine that has been celebrating the joys of idyllic rural life for over 120 years.
But Country Life is now warning townspeople not to become too seduced by the idyllic dreams it promotes by offering homely truths about the less glamorous parts of village life.
Editor Mark Hedges warned that the reality is filled with farm smells, trapped in the back of tractors and running out of barista-made lattes.
His comments are intended as a wake-up call to the estimated 80 percent of people who say they want to quit the rat race and move to the countryside, perhaps one of the great properties his magazine features each week.
But Hedges warns those considering a move to be prepared for a culture shock they may not be prepared for. “Moving to the countryside feels like going back in time,” he said.
“Yes, it may smell a bit. Cities have fairly monotonous smells, while the countryside has more varied smells, sometimes unpleasant and sometimes breathtakingly beautiful.'' .”
Mr Hedges said rural odors could become even worse as the push for greener farming could lead to farmers using more land fertilizers rather than chemical fertilizers. Ta.
But he added: “Obviously, it also smells amazingly beautiful. Even the scent of nettle smells green to me.”
Mr Hedges, 60, from Petersfield, Hampshire, added that those expecting peace and quiet may be in for a rude awakening – literally. “The countryside is strangely very noisy,” he said. “I think people think this country is completely peaceful. This is generally true, but at night I wake up to the sound of owls hooting. It's incredible right now with the dawn chorus. It's noisy, and if you're not used to it, you'll be like, “What's going on?” Our church in the village chimes on the hour…but it's more noticeable because it comes from out of nowhere. ”
Similarly, lawnmower noise is increasing in the country as people tend to more grass, he said. His advice for families looking to try the rural lifestyle is to try to fit in with your neighbors, such as getting a dog, helping out at village festivals, and understanding the importance of agriculture to the community. .
Hedges publishes alternative country codes for city dwellers looking to move to the countryside, and published his listing on the Property Exchange podcast with Anne Ashworth (left).