Often times when I travel to New York, I am amazed that one state embraces the exotic city life in addition to the beauty of the countryside. I am fortunate enough to live close to New York City and am able to travel there often, and I also get to spend a lot of time upstate. In fact, every year I go to visit my uncle who lives right near Lake George. I enjoy both shopping in the city and the hustle and bustle of traffic, in addition to fishing with my brothers in the serenity of the lake. I always ask myself, am I a city or country person?
Both lifestyles have their cons, though. The city can get very crowded and noisy, while it is very desolate in the country and can sometimes feel lonely. Over the years, there have been days when there are seven people at the lake, myself included, and the rest is my family. On my uncle's street, the nearest neighbor is a few hundred feet away, making it feel even more private. On the flip side, the city can be expensive, in terms of shopping, food and entertainment. That isn't to say the country doesn't have expenses, though. Traveling there costs a good amount, as it is a longer distance and requires more gas to drive. Although we generally eat the fish we catch or my uncle cooks for us, we spend money on ice cream shops in the town about half an hour away or other small souvenirs, too.
Both sides of the spectrum have an abundance of positives, as well. The city offers something to do at all times. There is always a show happening, street vendors selling merchandise, or delicately prepared food being warmed in the oven at a nearby restaurant. I feel as though I could never run out of things to do in New York City, and I have been there plenty of times already. It is also a closer distance than Lake George from where I live, making visits to the city more frequent and spontaneous.
As for the countryside, its beauty never ceases to amaze me. Every year I find myself so excited to just smell the air, because it's so much fresher than anywhere I have ever traveled before. My uncle owns acres of land, and simply sitting on his deck to look out into the woods is something I love to do and cherish every single year. I also really enjoy the wildlife scene in the country. Many people on my uncle's street own farms and we always go visit the animals in addition to seeing deer and elk frequently. The history is also really special; my uncle's town has a part of the underground railroad attached to it, as well as several Indian burial grounds.
I may never decide which one I truly prefer, but both city and country life have their positives and negatives. The pros will always overcome the cons for me and make me want to explore more every time I venture to the concrete jungle or the rural life.
