City Life or Country Life?

People often ask whether I would like to live in the countryside when I get older.
My answer is simple: I am definitely a city person.
As I age and my mobility becomes a little more limited, I appreciate city life even more.
Everything I need is nearby—public transportation, cultural events, restaurants, and reliable hospitals.
These things may not seem important when you are young, but they become increasingly valuable with age.
That doesn't mean I dislike the countryside.
In fact, I think the perfect situation would be to have a friend who owns a beautiful country house with a lovely garden.
Then I could visit from time to time, enjoy nature, and return home before I start missing my urban comforts!

Another reason I prefer city life is that I genuinely enjoy spending time with people.
These days, I am a little more selective about where I invest my time and energy, choosing friends who are especially compatible with me.

One thing I have learned is that the saying "Out of sight, out of mind" is often true.
Friendships tend to stay stronger when people live close enough to meet regularly.

My two siblings and I spent many decades living far apart, both within Korea and overseas.

Fortunately, during our senior years, we are all living near one another again.
We are grateful for that.

Video calls are wonderful, but they can never fully replace sitting together, sharing a meal, and talking face to face.

Perhaps I am also content because I already had a taste of country life as a child.
From the age of three to six, I lived with my grandmother in a rural village.
I was showered with love and even had an early experience of school life there.
Those memories are so warm and precious that they have completely satisfied any lingering curiosity I might have had about living in the countryside.

So while I enjoy visiting the country, I am happiest living in the city—close to family, friends, culture, and all the conveniences that make life both easier and richer.