I'd like to talk about my uncle, David, who made the decision a few years ago to pack up his life in London and relocate to a tiny village in the north of England. He used to work in finance, but after decades of dealing with the rat race, he completely changed direction.
His village is genuinely tranquil, nestled in a valley with only about two hundred residents. There's essentially just a small post office, a traditional bakery, and miles of rolling hills surrounding the stone cottages. It's the kind of place where everyone knows their neighbours, which is a massive contrast to the anonymity of a major metropolis.
In terms of his daily routine, it couldn't be more different from his previous life. He works remotely part-time doing financial consulting, but spends the rest of his day outdoors. He's taken up gardening, grows his own seasonal vegetables, and takes his border collie for long walks along the bridleways every single afternoon. He also volunteers to help maintain the local community orchard on weekends.
As for why he prefers it, I think it boils down to peace of mind and quality of life. Whenever I visit him, he always mentions how the constant noise and frantic pace of city life used to leave him feeling utterly drained. In the village, he enjoys fresh air, a strong sense of community, and the chance to unwind properly. Even though he occasionally misses the cultural buzz and variety of restaurants in the city, he insists that the slower pace has done wonders for his well-being.