https://www.reddit.com/r/simpleliving/comments/1iz4fpv/simple_life_in_the_big_city/
created by SirSnazzy20 on 27/02/2025 at 01:45 UTC
44 upvotes, 19 top-level comments (showing 19)
Hi! So I'm kind of exhausted by the lifestyle of the big city. Lots of people, long rides to go basically anywhere... Everything is just too quick and I don't really enjoy it.
So, people living in big cities: do you have any general tips or specific things that make you feel calmer, less overwhelmed? Thanks!
Comment by your_son_is_a_perve at 27/02/2025 at 02:00 UTC
39 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Personally I think city living can be simple but it depends on your specific circumstances. For example I love how I can walk most places and nice parks and cafes are nearby. I also don’t need to own a lot as it’s easy to access what I need from public resources - e.g parks and libraries.
If everything is far away for you even in the city, is there any way you can improve this situation?
Also. you could try listening to calm music when you’re out and about on headphones to slow things down. I really like the Endel app.
Comment by AllHailOliviaBenson at 27/02/2025 at 02:19 UTC
27 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Visit a park, or a plant nursery, stop and listen to the hum of the wildlife around you. I find this very grounding when I feel overwhelmed by the loudness of the city.
Comment by Jimbaroome at 27/02/2025 at 05:19 UTC
16 upvotes, 0 direct replies
The hardest part about simple living in a big city is it’s hard to not get caught up in the grind/ rat race, and choosing to ignore the “noise”. Ideally I would like to surround myself with like-minded people, but I do feel like I’m the exception than the norm, and it’s lonely.
Cutting out on commute helps a lot, either by working nearby or remotely. Parks and libraries also tend not to be as crowded. Takes time to discover pockets of peace, hope you can find some in your city too!
Comment by White_crow606 at 27/02/2025 at 05:57 UTC*
13 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Have a walk in a park and try to recognise the small plants among the grass, go to the museum and try to find some small details, go to the theatre or just stay at home enjoying your pets and hobbies.
Try to explore your neighbourhood, you may find some perks, for example, one of the parks close to me has gym equipments, so there are people training there in open air among the green, without the typical gym smell and for free.
I live in one of biggest cities in the Europe, I personally prefer city to countryside because I can rely on the public transport, I have everything close at walking distances. And without driving, I spare myself the stress of traffic jam and have more time for things I enjoy instead of commuting even for a simple grocery shopping. But everyone is different.
Comment by Multilazerboi at 27/02/2025 at 09:29 UTC
8 upvotes, 0 direct replies
My only advice is to not live in the center of a big city. I lived in New York for a while and ended up in Brooklyn, which I enjoyed so much. Now that I am back in Scandinavia I also moved from the big city here to a smaller city of about 100 000 people with a river running through it, so that the city just naturally have more open air in the middle around the river. My advise is to either find a more quiet neighborhood where you have everything you need close, but less noise and people. Or move to a smaller city that is very close to the bigger city. I think that city life is so much simpler that living suburban, but you can still be very deliberate with what city you live in and where in the city. Also. Make sure to use a lot of time in your weekends to travel out of the city.
Comment by Nithoth at 27/02/2025 at 12:24 UTC
8 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Miyomoto Musashi wrote "*Immature strategy is the cause of grief,*" meaning that a poorly thought-out or underdeveloped plan will likely lead to negative consequences.
It sounds like you just have a time management problem. You might try a different strategy that maximizes your time.
Any or all of those things might help you find a better strategy that allows you to just slow down a bit. There might be a dozen other things specific to your lifestyle. The most important thing though, is that once you find a successful strategy to free up your valuable time you have to stick to it. That requires a little discipline but it gives you options too. A successful strategy will account for many of those pesky times when life happens and screws up the most well thought out plans. That will let you approach interruptions to your slower schedule more calmly and give you peace of mind.
I hope you figure out what works for you.
Comment by Soggy-Os at 27/02/2025 at 12:13 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I love life in my big-ish city but I definitely try to avoid certain neighborhoods/areas at peak times. I also like to take morning walks when it's less busy on the streets, and hit the local market at that time if I need any fresh items for the days ahead.
Comment by No-Cranberry-6526 at 27/02/2025 at 10:05 UTC*
9 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Meditation, making the most of nature pockets like parks, living a deliberately slower life when you’re not working, not getting caught up in having a social life because it’s what you’re supposed to do, enjoy doing things at home more like cooking or cleaning or baking or reading, trips to non big city locations every year. Create your sanctuary in your own home - that has helped a lot.
Finally, leaving the heart of a big city to live on the outskirts helped too. But it’s still not enough and I fantasize about moving further out of it often. Big city life is not worth it and if I could have a do over, I’d have left a long time ago. Hope something I wrote here helped.
Comment by Previous_Voice5263 at 27/02/2025 at 16:53 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I’m not sure what your complaint is. Your post is very vague. What is too fast?
I find living in a Seattle way easier than living in the burbs.
If I want to go somewhere I can walk there. Or I can take a buss and read. I’m rarely stuck in traffic. I give myself time between activities and move at my own pace.
Sure if I want to go all the way across the city, that’ll take time. But there’s usually something to do that’s closer. Whereas in the burbs, often I might not have an option of something closer.
Comment by Necessary_Chip9934 at 28/02/2025 at 02:22 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I live in a walkable big city and I think that makes a world of difference. I also spend a lot of time in museum galleries, which I enjoy so much.
Comment by quietlife23 at 01/03/2025 at 20:24 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I live in London near to a large but run down park. I still visit it most days, feed the ducks and the pigeons, and work out. I work from home which helps, too, as commuting is hell. Every other week, I leave the city and do a day hike in the countryside. I feel peaceful.
Comment by Far-Swan3083 at 27/02/2025 at 06:19 UTC
7 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Unhinge your jaw and swallow a park bench whole
Comment by Candelabra-Honey-13 at 28/02/2025 at 09:48 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Well just remember in the suburbs everything is 25-30 mins away and that’s no fun either !
But this is my mentality - big city - simple living. The proximity to fancying life up as needed, without feeling the need to be everywhere all the time. I focus on long walks, sitting by water, being at parks; popping into galleries here and there. But I also allow myself to be at home. I don’t burden myself with obligations. I stopped saying YES to things so automatically, and tell people I’ll let them know closer to the time.
Now I am just trying to find a way to transition to fresher foods and cooking more.
Edit; find a more residential neighborhood away from lots of foot traffic and literal traffic
Comment by sleemur at 28/02/2025 at 17:48 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I live in a big city and find it more simple than many alternatives. Almost everything I do I can do without leaving my neighborhood and without taking a car: walk to the grocery store, eye doctor, coffee shops, playgrounds, etc. My home can be small and simple because I get so much from the neighborhood. When I go to work which is too far to walk to but still in my city, I take public transit and don't have to worry about the complexities of parking and handling a car. I can read a book on my commute. You may need to consider where you live in your city, how walkable it is, if you are using community amenities to their greatest extent, etc.
Comment by overwhelming_colors at 28/02/2025 at 23:07 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
My best advice? Ignore the chaos around you and other people living their lives. Your life is only yours, so focus on that. You don’t have to be quick living in the city. I live in a big city, around many others, in what seems like a fast environment. I just ignore it and do what I want to do. Do I want to spend the day in the park, reading? I can. Do I want to go to the cafe for a coffee and people watch? I can. Library? Sure. Stay at home watching movies? No problem. You dont have to rush, just because others do so. Your lifestyle does not have to depend on others. Big city often brings a lot of pros to your living conditions like having everything close to you. Enjoy your slow living!
Comment by yinyogi at 01/03/2025 at 22:00 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Lot depends on your mindset. Few things you can try- going to yoga studio, walks in parks, volunteering, learning a new music instrument.
Comment by evildorkgirl at 02/03/2025 at 05:02 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
OMG yes so many simple joys in a big city. Just sit and people watch! Go for a walk. Go to a new grocery store and buy something unusual. Listen to some street musicians or local artists in a club and dance. Find your city’s best ice cream. Go to a museum. Draw nice messages on the sidewalk with chalk. Visit a gallery. Visit a library. Join a social sports league. Go for a bike ride. Read a good book. Draw a picture. Journal. Start a gratitude practice.
Comment by AirportBeneficial392 at 28/02/2025 at 04:30 UTC
0 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Living in a city can be very simple. You don't need a car, don't need to service a big house or garden. Try to find activities near you. Let groceries and things ship to your place. No need to go shopping nowadays.
Comment by Rosaluxlux at 28/02/2025 at 04:59 UTC
0 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Long rides - are you driving everywhere? Id get out of the car and walk or bike around to see what there is to do or see.