A Call for Country Style Living by Graeme Coyne

When it comes to natural beauty nothing beats living in the countryside. The inspiring landscapes and open spaces create a peaceful and harmonious environment which echoes sheer tranquillity.

In retrospect to the serenity of country life, suburban life is riddled with busy streets, noise pollution and general stress. Due to the high density of suburban living there are large numbers of property buyer's moving in the direction of the countryside. This is causing the market for small holdings and small farms to grow strongly. County style living is a growing trend and is said to be one of the next big spurs in the property market as a whole.

Fulfilling your dreams
The peaceful atmosphere of the countryside is extremely therapeutic, creating an undeniable sense of relaxation. An improved lifestyle literally comes with the territory as free-range eggs are prominent, recycling is encouraged and the majority of the food is organic and pesticide free. A great incentive for recycling is adding compost to your garden.

The prices of food products are almost always lower than in the city and there is hardly any traffic. If you have a love for art and can appreciate the potential of painting the sun setting over spectacular landscapes you will be in absolute bliss. The prolific birdlife also presents many opportunities ideal for photography. When living the country style life, making your own wine is also a reality. There is a great sense of satisfaction that stems from bottling and tasting your own wine. When you combine a peaceful atmosphere with a clear mind the possibilities are endless.

The countryside presents a fulfilling lifestyle as when living in an indigenous habitat you seem to find more free time for the simpler and often forgotten, yet necessary perks of life. Growing your own fruit, walking your dogs through vineyards and enjoying unspoilt scenic views are all part of this serene lifestyle. A soothing way of spending your time is landscaping and gardening. When your garden or lawn is thriving and flourishing with indigenous flora, shrubs and trees, the result can prove to be rather rewarding. Landscaping could also entail creating your own pond. You can almost taste the satisfaction and smell the bliss of sitting beside your own pond while soaking up the country sun from the mere thought itself.

Going for a walk or hike in the countryside is undoubtedly far more pleasant than walking or jogging through busy roads plagued with noise and exhaust fumes. A reality such as this definitely emphasises the notion that one would be far more inclined towards a more active lifestyle when living in the preferred conditions and atmosphere - thus a more active lifestyle would be adopted.

Generally country life is of a healthier nature than that of city life. The reasons for this are comprised of many contributing factors. An improved lifestyle is inevitable when your environment boasts open spaces, fresh air, healthier food and so forth. A conglomerate of all these various aspects provides ideal conditions in regard to healthy, happy living. For instance, life expectancy and general levels of health are usually higher in rural areas than in urban Britain.

It is often found people in the countryside are more chatty and friendly with strangers than in the cities. Life in the country seems to have a positive effect on the attitudes of the people who reside there. The general pace of life is more relaxed and there is a sense of community.

A day of golf and tennis, canoeing, sailing or swimming in the clubhouse pool, followed by picnicking while slowly sipping on Champaign amidst lush greenery kissed by the sunset, are all part of the nirvana that comes with fine estate developments in the country.

About the Author

Fine and Country is a leading estate agent of the finer elements in life: country homes, homesteads, golf estates and agricultural estates in South Africa. They also offer a portfolio of suburban homes, that are a somewhat removed from the hustle and bustle of inner city life.