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Essay: 城市好还是农村好？- Is the city or the countryside better?

Ever catch yourself daydreaming about where you’d live if you could choose anywhere? City lights, countryside quiet, or somewhere in between? This text walks you through the classic dilemma of picking your perfect home – and spoiler alert, there’s no perfect answer.

Ever catch yourself daydreaming about where you’d live if you could choose anywhere? City lights, countryside quiet, or somewhere in between? This text walks you through the classic dilemma of picking your perfect home – and spoiler alert, there’s no perfect answer.

Key vocab

乡下 – xiāngxià – countryside
郊区 – jiāoqū – suburbs
好处 – hǎochù – advantage/benefit
方便 – fāngbiàn – convenient
院子 – yuànzi – yard/courtyard
安静 – ānjìng – quiet/peaceful
选择 – xuǎnzé – choice/to choose
机会 – jīhuì – opportunity
过日子 – guò rìzi – to live one’s life/get by

住在哪里最好？

我常常想:以后住在哪里好呢?是住在城市里,还是住在乡下,或者住在郊区?

我现在住在城市里。城市有很多好处。这里有很多商店、饭馆和地铁。我想买东西的时候,走路五分钟就到了。我想看电影,也很方便。可是城市也有不好的地方。人太多,车太多,空气也不好。房子又小又贵。

我朋友住在乡下。他家有一个大院子,旁边有山,有河。早上能听见鸟叫,晚上能看见很多星星。他说在乡下生活很安静,也很健康。可是乡下没有大医院,也没有好学校。买东西要开车去很远的地方。

郊区可能是中间的选择。郊区比城市安静,空气也比城市好。房子大一点,也便宜一点。可是上班的时候,可能要坐很长时间的车。

我觉得,年轻的时候住在城市最好,因为方便,也有很多机会。有了孩子以后,可以搬到郊区,这样孩子有大房子,也能上好学校。老了以后,我想住在乡下,安静地过日子。

每个地方都有好的地方,也有不好的地方。最重要的是:你想要什么样的生活?

Show English translation

Where Is the Best Place to Live?

I often think: where would be good to live in the future? Should I live in the city, or live in the countryside, or live in the suburbs?

I currently live in the city. The city has many advantages. There are many shops, restaurants, and subway stations here. When I want to buy something, it only takes a five-minute walk. When I want to watch a movie, it’s also very convenient. But the city also has its downsides. There are too many people, too many cars, and the air quality is not good. The houses are both small and expensive.

My friend lives in the countryside. His home has a big yard, with mountains and a river nearby. In the morning, you can hear birds singing, and at night, you can see many stars. He says life in the countryside is very peaceful and also very healthy. But the countryside doesn’t have big hospitals or good schools. To buy things, you have to drive to places very far away.

The suburbs might be a middle-ground choice. The suburbs are quieter than the city, and the air is better than in the city. The houses are a bit bigger and also a bit cheaper. But when going to work, you might have to sit in a vehicle for a very long time.

I think when you’re young, living in the city is best, because it’s convenient and there are many opportunities. After having children, you can move to the suburbs, so the children have a big house and can also attend good schools. After getting old, I want to live in the countryside and spend my days peacefully.

Every place has its good points and its bad points. The most important thing is: what kind of life do you want?

5 replies on “Essay: 城市好还是农村好？- Is the city or the countryside better?”

That was a great text to read with no pinyin, and hover over whenever I did not know the pinyin. I love your website! Great job.

You’re not the first person to suggest this, if I can find a cheap plugin that does this at some point, I will add the feature.

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