I’m a millennial who lives alone in a tiny house in the countryside. I don’t feel like I’m missing out on city life.

There, about 45 minutes away from my hometown, I lived in an old apartment building on a busy street. My room was around 160 square feet, and I shared the kitchen and bathroom with other people on the same floor.

The rent was 450 euros every month, and that was almost 10 years ago. I’m sure prices have gone up like crazy since then. Most of the other tenants in the building were students like me, but there were some working professionals too.

I only lasted a couple of months before I moved out

I couldn’t really afford my rent, and I really disliked the stress of the city. It was always busy and full of people and sounds — I couldn’t relax.

My parents had divorced just before I went to university, and once I moved out of that tiny room, I ended up living with my dad for a few years, about 20 minutes outside Utrecht.

I take on projects to help maintain the property, such as gathering firewood for winter, or building and fixing animal enclosures. I love working with my hands.

I see my mom almost every day; sometimes, I just walk over to her house to say hi. I also spend time with my grandmother; she is getting older, and I’d like to be around if she needs my help.

There is enough distance between my cottage and the house that we don’t see each other if we don’t want to, but of course, it’s nice to interact regularly.

I don’t feel like I’m missing out on big-city life

We have an amazing relationship with our closest neighbors. When the power goes out, everybody gathers around to see if anyone needs help. I think that’s amazing.

I can go out to eat, and I love to do that with friends, we just have to travel a bit further. And maybe we don’t have as many options as you might find in the city, but that doesn’t really matter.

I catch up with friends from university around two to three times a year when I go to Amsterdam since that’s where they live now.

I have some childhood friends who live in the countryside near me, and I see them about twice a month.

I love this life, and I don’t really miss out on any of the city activities, because living in the countryside gives me so many other things to enjoy.

In hindsight, I don’t think I ever really saw myself living in the city anyway, since I’ve always wanted to be close to nature.

I love where I live now, but I would like to see more of the world. I think it might be possible for me to move to another country one day and live in the countryside there. I don’t think I will settle in another city.