I was born and raised in the heart of the fifth largest city in the United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was raised in what can best be described as the “hood.” I have however moved around quite a bit and have lived in more rural areas throughout my adult life. I’ve lived in several places in PA, NJ, NY, AZ, and NC, and suffice to say, I have a broad range of city and country experiences. I love both the city, the hustle and bustle, the people, the nightlife, the culture, and having something to do always, but I also love the country, the quiet, the clean air, and being out in nature.
Inasmuch as I love going to museums, concerts, operas, plays, I like hiking, camping (real camping), riding ATV’s, fishing, and even bow hunting. I am a paradox of a person, equally comfortable in either environment, a paradigm shifter of sorts, able to easily blend in and find my part. I prefer urban, or country life, suburban life isn’t quite the same as either and to me never really appealed to my sensibilities and desires.
Today, having limited mobility, my outdoor adventures are very limited, and I find the city much more accommodating of someone with my condition. I’ve been back in Philadelphia for about nine years now, and although I miss some aspects of country living, this city just feels like home to me and my family. My wife hates the country, even though she spent a large portion of her life living in it, and our kids are a lot like me, liking both city and country life, but feeling like the city is home.
I can safely say, I am a city boy, but I can hold my own in the country just as well, something that tends to confuse people in both settings. I like to think of myself as a “City neck,” if ever there was one, a blend of both and neither wholly one, even though I prefer the city.