Dreaming of trading city life for open spaces? Rural living might be your answer. Consider Mancos, Colorado — a rural community where life moves at a gentler pace compared to urban settings.
Just minutes away, Mesa Verde Motel in Mancos offers visitors a perfect taste of rural Colorado living, featuring the M Bar & Coffee, where locally roasted coffee and handcrafted cocktails can be enjoyed under starlit skies.
What Makes an Area Rural?
Population and Space
The definition of “rural” varies, but it primarily refers to areas with low population density. While urban areas and big city environments pack many people into small spaces, rural living gives residents room to breathe.
A Growing Choice for Americans
Currently, one in five Americans chooses to live in a rural community. These residents value the quality of life that comes with more land between homes and other buildings, often enjoying open swaths of natural space.
Rural Versus Remote: Important Distinctions
Living rurally doesn’t necessarily mean limited access to services. Many rural areas maintain robust infrastructure, including hospitals, shopping centers, diverse cultural experiences, and schools, all within reasonable driving distances.
For example, the rural community of Mancos, Colorado, demonstrates how country living can balance access to essential services with the benefits of open spaces.
The Benefits of Less: Quality Over Quantity
Rural living fundamentally shifts your relationship with space and time. Compared to city living, rural areas offer fewer crowds, reduced noise, minimal traffic, and decreased stress levels.
This environment tends to support stronger family bonds, closer relationships with neighbors, and enhanced opportunities for children to experience nature.
Top 11 Things to Know About Living in a Rural Area
For most people considering the transition from urban settings to rural living, understanding these key factors can help inform individual preferences and decisions.
Financial and Community Benefits
1. Lower Housing Costs and Property Options
Housing costs in rural areas are generally lower than in urban settings, often allowing for larger homes and more land. This cost difference can significantly impact long-term financial planning and quality of life.
2. Strong Community Connections
Rural communities foster deeper social bonds because residents tend to rely more on neighbors than in urban areas. Despite having fewer people nearby, rural areas often facilitate stronger friendships and community involvement.
Natural Environment and Lifestyle
3. Immediate Nature Access
Rural living provides direct access to outdoor activities. Rather than planning long-distance trips to experience nature, country residents can step outside to enjoy immediate access to open spaces and recreational opportunities.
Mesa Verde Motel is a far out place for human people, providing boutique lodging accommodation near Mesa Verde National Park.
191 W. Railroad Ave
Mancos, Colorado 81328
970-533-7741
Story sponsored by the Mesa Verde Motel
4. Enhanced Privacy and Space
Unlike urban settings where homes sit close together, rural areas offer substantial space between properties. This environment provides privacy and the freedom to use your land according to your individual preferences.
5. Different Transportation Patterns
While services might require longer drives, rural areas eliminate the stress of urban traffic. The trade-off often involves more scenic routes and peaceful commutes instead of congested city streets.
6. Natural Sound Environment
The significant reduction in ambient noise surprises many new rural residents. This natural sound environment, combined with darker skies for stargazing, contributes to a more peaceful living experience.
Health and Environmental Benefits
7. Environmental Quality
Rural areas typically experience less air pollution due to lower population density and fewer vehicles. This improved air quality can contribute to better overall health outcomes for residents.
8. Reduced Stress Environment
The slower pace of rural life often leads to decreased stress levels. While rural living presents unique challenges, many find that the environment helps them manage life’s pressures more effectively.
9. Health and Wellness Benefits
Less air pollution, reduced stress, and increased opportunities for outdoor activities often contribute to improved health outcomes. Many people report enhanced physical and mental well-being after transitioning to rural areas.
Practical Considerations
10. Infrastructure and Services
Rural living requires thoughtful planning around access to services. While shopping centers, medical services, and entertainment options might be further away, many find that the benefits of rural life outweigh the need for additional planning.
11. Self-Sufficiency Opportunities
Rural properties typically provide space for food gardens, workshops, and other self-sufficiency projects. This environment encourages learning new skills and becoming more independent in daily living.
Experience Rural Living Firsthand
Before committing to a permanent move from urban to rural living, consider experiencing it firsthand.
The Mesa Verde Motel in Mancos, Colorado, offers an ideal way to sample rural life while exploring Southwest Colorado. Located just seven miles from Mesa Verde National Park on the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway, this boutique motel combines rural charm with modern amenities.
With its onsite coffee shop and cocktail bar, it provides the perfect base for discovering whether the rural lifestyle aligns with your preferences while enjoying all the natural wonders the Four Corners area has to offer.
