You probably came here via Instagram where I already explained (briefly) what my intention is for this newsletter: to share my ongoing research about everything related to City Quitters in a more intimate, collaborative way.
A lot has changed since I published my book in 2018. Why do more and more people want to leave cities? Or is that even true? Are cities the physical manifestation of hyper capitalism? Is decentralisation the future?
I’m very interested in the wider cultural shifts surrounding this movement (is it a movement?). But also the practical side of things: what stops people from moving? What are their biggest fears? And what are the actual challenges creatives face in rural areas?
Over the last two years I’ve been spending a lot of time debating what might be next for City Quitters (as in my work on the topic). I explored making a documentary (more about that another time), maybe a second book or just continue with Instagram?
I felt a bit stuck to be honest. I also got to a point where it just felt like old news, having talked and written about it for sooo long. My research for the book started in 2015. As a trend forecaster I look for what’s next, not what I talked about yesterday. But then every time I did share something, the feedback was super encouraging. I personally think this is a long-term trend, and the rural revival is just really kicking off. So here we go.
Then in April this year I went on a road trip. A five month family sabbatical. We took the kids out of school and travelled around Southern Europe in our van. Paradise time. We spent our days bird watching (my kids are extremely passionate twitchers :), hiking, swimming in wild rivers and the sea, rock climbing, extreme hammocking and exploring the food and natural wine scenes. Apart from brief visits to Palma and Barcelona, our time was spent in rural areas. The wilder, the better. Being outdoors, away from cities, and also (mostly) away from social media and the news, was pretty special. I gained a sense of presence and spaciousness I didn’t know was possible. Or had forgotten all about.
So now that I am back in London, in some sort of routine, processing all that has happened over the last couple of months, I feel this platform is the best way forward.
As this newsletter is in its infancy it would be great to hear from you what you are most interested in. Insights and cultural analysis? Stories of other city quitters? Practical advice? More on my family travels? Or something else entirely? Let me know!
Bye for now x
Karen
Interested in a mix of all your suggestions and whatever catches your attention that you feel compelled to share!
Fellow city quitter here. Left San Francisco nearly four years ago and moved to the rural mountains in the pacific north west. Looking forward to reading more of your work!