In the hustle and bustle of the city, you can see skyscrapers with stars in your hands, but looking up at the stars has become a luxury - this is the double-edged sword of the city.
The density of high-rise buildings makes people wonder where the stars have gone? On the other hand, in the countryside, the stars at night are like planetariums that do not require tickets, making people indulge in the vastness of the universe and the tranquility of nature.
In the city, everyone seems to be a big fan of the fast-paced life, the crowd in the subway in the morning makes people wonder if they have walked into a free yoga class, and the night view in the evening is beautiful, but it can't hide the loneliness and exhaustion after the bright lights.
Rural life, on the other hand, is like a slow-paced idyll, where you don't need to press the "fast-forward button", wake up in the morning by the rooster instead of the alarm clock, and count the stars at night instead of working overtime.
So with the advancement of technology, especially the rise of remote work, will more people be willing to leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and choose to return to the quiet countryside?
1. Urban skyline or idyll?
When Wi-Fi signals are no longer a scarce resource, and when the convenience of cities can be compensated for by the Internet, will rural cottages become the new trend?
Although life in the countryside is full of poetry, the reality is not always "poetic and distant". Behind the tranquility of the countryside, there is also a lag in development and a lack of modernization.
Every inch of the city is scented with opportunity, and even the smallest apartment can be the starting point of a dream.
How will the residential trend evolve in five years' time, and will the pigeons be the only ones who will find enough space in the city to nest as the city expands?
Will the spaciousness and nature of the countryside become the new favorite in people's hearts? Or will the rapid development of the city make the tranquility of the countryside more attractive?
2. Crowded convenience or spacious freedom?
The convenience of the city is undoubtedly the jewel in its crown.
Convenience stores around the corner, restaurants open 24 hours a day, and the love-hate subway are always so intimate when you're in a hurry to make your way through the urban forest.
But let's not forget that while enjoying these conveniences, perhaps you are crammed into a subway car with thirty other passengers who are eager to grab a seat, as if participating in a "squeeze the subway" competition, and it's free.
Turn to the countryside, where life seems to say, "Slow down and get some fresh air." The self-sufficient life is reminiscent of the farm simulation games of childhood, only this time, real vegetables are grown, and live chickens and cows are raised.
There's plenty of free space in the countryside to allow your dog to run a marathon without worrying about being disturbed by the hustle and bustle of the city.
However, the happiness index is not determined by the size of the space alone. The pace of city life is as fast as rushing to the Olympics, which is undoubtedly stressful.
At the same time, the tranquility of the countryside may make you forget the passage of time, and this leisurely pace of life may require some adaptation for those who are used to city life.
Five years from now, the cost of living will undoubtedly be a priority for every family. In cities, housing prices and the cost of living are getting heavier and heavier like dumbbells in a gym, and the affordability is overwhelming.
In rural areas, the quality of life may be significantly improved due to technological progress and policy support. The countryside is no longer just a place to retire, but a new base for young people to dream of setting sail.
Between these two lifestyles, the measure of happiness seems to have become a philosophical question. Do you choose to soar on the big stage of the city, or find a moment of peace of mind in the vast world of the countryside?
Is there really no one way to be both convenient and free?
Will the convenience of crowding or the freedom of spaciousness become the new trend of life in the future?
3. Balance between resources and opportunities
When talking about the glow of the city, it's easy to imagine those twinkling neon lights, skyscrapers towering into the clouds, and kebab stalls that cure hangovers at three o'clock in the morning.
Similarly, the picture of the rural dream is full of golden wheat fields, lazy afternoons, and the chirping of unknown birds.
However, in these two very different environments, the allocation of resources and access to opportunities is like a well-planned banquet, with different menus offered by the city and the countryside.
With its educational and career opportunities, cities have become hubs for dreams.
Home to top universities, five-star hospitals, and international companies, there is an abundance of options for those seeking a high quality of life.
However, these resources are not given unconditionally. Competition is like an unstoppable torrent, ready to swallow up those who are not strong enough.
In such an environment, "What company are you?" becomes a more common greeting than "hello", tying one's identity to one's career.
In contrast, life in the countryside is slow-paced like video buffering with poor internet speeds.
The opportunities may not be as many as in the city, but they are also different. Although educational resources are limited, with the rise of Internet education in recent years, green shoots of knowledge have begun to grow in this once information-scarce land.
Medical conditions may not be as advanced as in cities, but with the popularization of medical technology, medical services in rural areas are slowly catching up with the pace of cities.
Of course, for the younger generation, the city's appeal is not just its abundance of resources. Nightlife, cultural diversity, and the never-ending innovation and vibrancy all tempt them.
Country life may offer a tranquil land, but it can seem a bit monotonous to souls who crave excitement and variety.
However, with the advancement of technology and the support of policies, the countryside is no longer the forgotten backyard. The government's development plans and funding are transforming these tranquil villages into potential innovation bases.
Some businesses are beginning to see the potential of the countryside, and the rise of agritech, rural tourism and remote work has made "building a house in the countryside" an emerging life option.
In five years' time, how will people's choices change in the face of urban congestion and high housing prices, as well as new infrastructure and quality of life in rural areas?
In this trade-off of resources and opportunities, we may see the emergence of a new way of life: a hybrid life that combines the convenience of the city with the tranquility of the countryside.
This lifestyle, perhaps on a high-tech farm in the suburbs or in a neighborhood on the edge of the city, is full of green technology and telecommuting possibilities.
Today, choice is no longer a matter of black and white. In five years' time, one may not have to make an absolute choice between the urban aura and the rural dream.
So as lifestyles diversify, will we witness the birth of a new social model?
4. Green Ideal or Urban Reality?
Five years ago, if someone had said that in the future the schools and hospitals in the city would move to the wheat fields in the countryside, they would have thought that person was joking about driving a farm vehicle.
But now, with the rapid advancement of technology, this humor is no longer fantastical.
It is true that the education and medical resources of the cities are spreading to the countryside in an unprecedented way, but when the decision comes, what will families choose?
The city's schools and hospitals have always been synonymous with quality.
Parents are willing to wait in a long queue for a high-quality primary school admission notice, and this long queue is sometimes crazier than the Spring Festival. The famous schools in the city are like rare treasures, which can make the child's journey smooth.
But don't forget, behind this is often accompanied by sky-high school district housing and the blood and sweat of "tiger mothers" and "wolf fathers". At the same time, rural education is quietly changing.
Although once considered synonymous with "backwardness", children here are now able to access Harvard's and Oxford's online courses through tablets, and although the barrier to entry into these prestigious schools is still unattainable, the seeds of knowledge have taken root in this ancient land.
When it comes to medical services, the level of modernity and professional teams of urban hospitals is undoubtedly incomparable to that of rural areas.
In the face of emergencies, city dwellers have quick access to top-notch medical care.
But don't forget, beds in five-star hospitals are sometimes harder to book than in five-star hotels, and people wait in waiting rooms packed with coughs and sneezes, as if they were fighting a war without gunpowder.
In rural areas, even if medical resources are scarce, with the rise of telemedicine services, villagers can also consult with city doctors in their own living rooms.
Now, five years later, with the online use of educational resources and the remotening of medical services, families' decisions about where to live have become more complex.
Are the two pillars of life education and health care still strong enough to support the dream of "buying a house in the city"?