There’s this quiet movement happening lately. People who once couldn’t wait to leave their small towns are starting to come back. After years in the city, chasing experiences, building careers, and living that go-go-go lifestyle, something inside us starts craving the opposite. Space. Calm. Nature.

Maybe that’s where you are right now too. You’ve been living in the city, working hard, saying yes to everything, but deep down you can feel this little voice whispering that it might be time for a change. And not because something went wrong, but because you’ve evolved.

When I finished school, I knew I needed a big change. I grew up in a tiny austrian village where everyone knew everyone. You couldn’t walk to the bakery without meeting three people who knew exactly who your parents were, where you lived, what you did last weekend. And while that kind of community sounds charming now, back then it drove me insane. I just wanted to be anonymous for once.

So I moved to Vienna. I wanted to start over, to explore who I really was without anyone watching. And Vienna gave me that. Nobody cared who I was, what I wore, or what I was studying. It was freeing. It was exactly what I needed at that time, a reset button.

Honestly though, I didn’t get to live my full Vienna student life the way I had imagined. I was caught up in a relationship that kept me small and took more energy than it gave. Sometimes I regret not making the most of that chapter. But looking back now, I know that move was still one of the most important things I ever did. It helped me figure out who I am, and maybe that’s the reason I can now be my true self here in the countryside again.

Because yes: I came back.

I grew up in the Salzkammergut, one of the most beautiful areas in Austria. Lakes, mountains, forests, the kind of views that belong on postcards. But when you grow up with that around you every day, it just feels normal. I didn’t realise how special it was until I left.

Now, years later, I look around and I’m in awe. I walk through my little town, I breathe in the fresh air, and I feel grateful. What used to feel small now feels peaceful. What used to feel boring now feels grounding.

And the funny thing is, I’m not the only one who feels that way.

There’s a whole wave of people returning to the countryside. People in their late 20s & 30s who once left for the city and are now coming back, bringing new ideas, fresh energy, and a different mindset.

It’s something I really notice where I live. We’re building a new kind of countryside life. The yoga studios, matcha cafés, co-working spaces, reformer pilates classes, things that used to only exist in Vienna or other bigger cities are popping up here now too. It’s like the young generation came back and decided to create their own version of what modern life should look like.

And honestly, it’s beautiful. We’re not moving back because we failed. We’re moving back because we’ve found something worth coming home to.

Because sometimes, less really is more.

Here’s what I’ve learned about countryside life and why it’s worth considering or rediscovering:

1. It’s more affordable.

Let’s start with the obvious one. Living on the countryside is usually cheaper. Rent, groceries, eating out, it all costs less. You can actually breathe financially. That alone changes your whole mindset. (Depending on where you live though *cough* Salzkammergut is a whole different conversation)

2. The peace is unmatched.

There’s a quiet that you can’t find anywhere else. You wake up to stillness. You can actually hear your own thoughts. You can go for a walk without being surrounded by noise. It’s good for your mind and your nervous system.

3. Nature heals everything.

You get to see the seasons change. You go swimming in lakes in summer and skiing in winter. You breathe fresh air every day. It makes you slow down, in the best way possible.

4. There’s real community.

People here know each other. They help each other. You don’t feel invisible. Some of my closest friends I’ve known since kindergarten, and that kind of bond is rare.

5. It’s easier for families.

Having space, a garden, a safe neighbourhood, those things make such a difference if you have kids or plan to one day. You don’t have to drive half an hour to find a place to play or take a walk.

6. You get to shape the future.

Our generation is taking over now: opening businesses, organising local events, creating spaces that make life here more exciting. The countryside isn’t stuck in the past anymore. It’s evolving, and we’re the ones driving that change.

And that’s what I love the most. Seeing people return, bringing their creativity and experiences from the city, and building something new.

Because this isn’t the same countryside we grew up in. It’s a more modern and young version of it. It’s a place where we get to live close to nature while still having access to beautiful cafés, inspiring people, and meaningful work.

We’re creating balance.

And maybe that’s what we’ve all been searching for: a way to live that feels calm and fulfilling at the same time.

So if you’re reading this and wondering whether moving back home could be right for you, just know this: it doesn’t have to mean giving up on your dreams or ambition. You can bring your creativity, your independence, and your energy with you. You can build something meaningful right where you are.

Because maybe home isn’t something you outgrow.

Maybe it’s something you grow into.