farm life vs city life essay

Farm life vs. City life

Compare and Contrast Essay: Farm life versus City life

This essay compares and contrasts life in the city with life on a farm. Both lifestyles have their similarities and differences that have remained more or less constant over time with minor adjustments here and there depending on the time of change. As the world has progressed through time and technology, people all over the world have experienced a general shift of the concentration of masses from the countryside on farms to the hustling and bustling environment of cities. The shift in the trend towards urban life has come hand in hand with the spread of modernisation and globalization. That said, each lifestyle comes with its won set of grievances and its own set of benefits and that none of the two can be seen in an absolutely negative or an absolutely positive light.

Living on a farm entails a life that is generally thought of as simple and trouble free. In romanticized writing, living on a farm is characterized by fresh air, green grass and sunny, happy days of trouble free life. Though these facets of farm life aren’t entirely wrong, they do not portray the complete scenario. Some of the upfront advantages include the lack of pollution. Since there is no industrial area or traffic nearby the atmosphere is free of pollutants which make the air dirty and cause acid rain. Life on a farm is also quieter and thus more peaceful; there is no traffic, no loud neighbors and no police sirens at odd hours of the night. Farm life is also considerably safer and more secure; since the area is sparsely populated there is lesser chance of being mugged outside of the house or being robbed inside of it. The rate of crimes apart from robberies and muggings is also very low. Farm life is not driven by a mad, materialistic rush and instead the lifestyle adjusts to the pace of the people who are living it.

However, life on a farm is by no means rosy. Farm animals are not easy to take care of. They have to be fed, cleaned and inspected. They also have to be cleaned up after which makes for a lot of work. Farming activities require extensive physical labor which can be very tiring and can quickly get repetitive and tedious. Moreover, if you get tired of this work there is no shifting in duties that you can be assigned. This work is self subsisting for the most part and if the people who are living on the farm refuse to do it, it becomes very difficult for the farm to function. Furthermore, farming is hugely reliant on the weather and if not allowed sufficient favorable weather conditions farming activities, mainly crops suffer a great deal and can sometimes be completely destroyed. Hence there is always risk that the farm produce may not be as expected if the weather is not favorable. Another drawback is that with the introduction of new farming technology and machinery, farm life has become highly mechanized and most human labor on farms has become redundant and finds it difficult to find on farm employment.

Urban life is very different, as opposed to farm life. But there are still some aspects in which both are similar. City life is often characterized by a hasty, materialistic life where man is slave to capitalist whims and materialistic demands. The pace of lifestyle has to be adjusted by the people to the pace of the city. Life in the city is always late to meet a deadline. Being in close proximity to traffic and industrial zones, city life has high levels of pollution from toxic gases and noise. High levels of pollution make acid rain in cities a common occurrence, along with other factors like smog. Pollution also contributes to various kinds of diseases for the people who are living in cities, like asthma, skin diseases and other respiratory diseases. City life is less safe and secure, the population density is high and there are all kinds of people in close proximity and thus the streets aren’t safe and neither are homes. Street muggings and various other kinds of robberies are high. So is the rate of other crimes like theft, murder, rape and kidnappings.

In spite of the dark side of life in the city, it is quite alluring and has for a long time attracted people towards itself. The shift in trend living in cites is not a baseless whim. Cities do indeed offer many benefits to their inhabitant’s lives. The most favorable of life in the city is the access to and variety of urban life amenities available. Furthermore, there are more places available for recreation and leisure, like restaurants, cinemas, shopping malls, spas etc. Furthermore, modern healthcare facilities are also available. City life is run by the service sector which has not yet been mechanized enough to make labor power redundant. Thus in cities there is a better chance of finding employment and better pay too. Also, employment in cities rarely depends hugely on the weather and thus changes in weather do not bring economic activities or daily life to a standing still, apart from situations of natural disaster/extreme weather.

In sum, both city life and farm life have their similarities and difference, pros and cons. But due to the availability of basic and modern, urban life amenities in cities and access to services like free health care and education along with better and more job opportunities and room for growth as an individual or as a business make city life a better alternative given a choice between city life and farm life. However on the other hand some people still do prefer living in the farm life due to the less hazardous circumstances of the life. The fact that farm life does not have hurdles and problems in comparison to city life, many people still settle down for it.

Learn a new language with this new trending..., top safety measures for small vehicle owners on..., balancing free speech and user safety in the..., the ultimate guide to e-commerce website design, unable to work after an injury, securing fair treatment after workplace injuries, anton kreil – trading masterclass course: an over-review, the legal path: navigating road accident claims with..., these are the best chess openings for black, how to edit an essay well, leave a comment cancel reply.

Please enter an answer in digits: 2 × one =

City Life vs Country Life: Essay on Similarities and Differences

City life vs country life essay: introduction, similarities between city life and country life, country life vs city life: compare/contrast, farm vs city: conclusion.

Living on a farm has been described by many people as the best experience one may have. Some say it is cheap and healthy, while others claim that people brought up on farms have good family values. Yet, people like comparing farm life vs. city life. Some believe living in the city is much better due to the particular lifestyle. Their claims are based on the numerous opportunities people have in the city compared to those who live on the farms.

The main purpose of this persuasive essay is to contrast life on the farm to life in the city. By looking at rural and urban lifestyles, this paper will compare farms to cities to decide whether one option is better than the other. First, the essay looks at the similarities between them. Then, it reviews the difference between city life and country life. It concludes that the choice of residence depends on individual preferences.

Living on a farm has been described by many people as the best experience one may have. Some say it is cheap and healthy, while others claim that people brought up on farms have good family values. On the contrary, there are people who believe that living in the city is much better due to the particular life style.

Their claims are based on the numerous opportunities people have in the city compared to those who live on the farms. The main purpose of this paper is to check the differences and the similarities of two considered places and the effect those places have on society.

The similarities between living in the city and living on a farm have been increasing over the years. Such amenities as gas and piped water are usually absent on farms. Moreover, such basic services as top quality healthcare and education with the use of innovative technologies may be absent as well. However, the government has been very instrumental in raising the standards of living in the countryside and presently you will find that just like in the city there is good road infrastructure, health care facilities, and education centers.

Another similarity between life on a farm and life in the city is the economic situation in both places is affected equally. The price of essential commodities, such as gasoline does not differ greatly. Financial turmoil at the international level influences both a farm and a city.

There are many differences between living on a farm and in the city. It is widely known that a place one grows in has a great impact on the way a person perceives life. Behavior is affected, as well. Family is considered as the central institution for many people. The family is always near, and they are the only people one can turn to when things go wrong. A major difference is seen between family values imposed on a person growing up in the city and those applied on a person growing up on the farm.

Almost all young people on the farms live with their families, and they are actively involved in the daily running of the farm. This helps create a strong bond between the family members, which is much needed in creating a strong society. In the city, life is busy, and there is little time to spare for family activities and socialization. Most people in the city are career-oriented. They tend to put more time advancing their careers and neglecting their families.

This can be seen clearly in the way old people are treated in the city. Old members of the family are cared deeply by their families on the farms, while one can find people sending their old members of the family into special homes for the aged in the cities. Such cases are less common on the farms.

Another difference between living on a farm and in the city lies in the way people prioritize their needs and wants. Those who live on farms usually prioritize their needs to their wants. Everything is different from those who live in the cities as they can regard their needs and wants in the same way.

People living on farms have a simple lifestyle and unlike their city flamboyant lifestyle peers. This lifestyle helps people on the farms satisfy their needs. People living in the city are known for their “I need to get it” attitude which makes them indulging and buying the heavily advertised products and services.

Living on a farm can be described as a serene and healthy way of living. It is on a farm you will enjoy most of the beautiful sceneries, fresh air, animals, and fresh foods. Those who live on farms have an opportunity to enjoy eating fresh food, unlike those who prefer cities where most people live on canned food with chemicals which are harmful to human health.

The air in the farms is fresh, and there are few cases of lungs disease or breathing complications reported. In the city, the air is stale and full of smoke, dust, as well as harmful substances. In the farm, you will enjoy seeing animals in their ordinary inhabitance, unlike the city where you will only find them in zoos. The only wild animals one can probably find in the city are rodents and raccoons.

The city offers a person many opportunities that cannot be found in the farms. A person can decide to follow a more rewarding career and enjoy the fine things in life, entertain in clubs, go shopping, etc. Such things cannot be found on the farms.

Each place has its advantages and disadvantages. It is impossible to say that one place is better than another one. It is better to state that one place is more preferable for a particular person than another one. Tastes differ, and people should remember it while dwelling upon differences is living either on a farm or in a city.

Cite this paper

Chicago (N-B)
Chicago (A-D)

StudyCorgi. (2020, April 27). City Life vs Country Life: Essay on Similarities and Differences. https://studycorgi.com/comparison-of-living-on-a-farm-or-in-the-city/

"City Life vs Country Life: Essay on Similarities and Differences." StudyCorgi , 27 Apr. 2020, studycorgi.com/comparison-of-living-on-a-farm-or-in-the-city/.

StudyCorgi . (2020) 'City Life vs Country Life: Essay on Similarities and Differences'. 27 April.

1. StudyCorgi . "City Life vs Country Life: Essay on Similarities and Differences." April 27, 2020. https://studycorgi.com/comparison-of-living-on-a-farm-or-in-the-city/.

Bibliography

StudyCorgi . "City Life vs Country Life: Essay on Similarities and Differences." April 27, 2020. https://studycorgi.com/comparison-of-living-on-a-farm-or-in-the-city/.

StudyCorgi . 2020. "City Life vs Country Life: Essay on Similarities and Differences." April 27, 2020. https://studycorgi.com/comparison-of-living-on-a-farm-or-in-the-city/.

This paper, “City Life vs Country Life: Essay on Similarities and Differences”, was written and voluntary submitted to our free essay database by a straight-A student. Please ensure you properly reference the paper if you're using it to write your assignment.

Before publication, the StudyCorgi editorial team proofread and checked the paper to make sure it meets the highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, fact accuracy, copyright issues, and inclusive language. Last updated: November 10, 2023 .

If you are the author of this paper and no longer wish to have it published on StudyCorgi, request the removal . Please use the “ Donate your paper ” form to submit an essay.

Home — Essay Samples — Geography & Travel — City — Similarities Between City Life and Country Life

Similarities Between City Life and Country Life

Categories: City

About this sample

Words: 679 |

Published: Sep 7, 2023

Words: 679 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Prof. Kifaru

Verified writer

Expert in: Geography & Travel

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

3 pages / 1233 words

2 pages / 774 words

7 pages / 2966 words

1 pages / 390 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on City

Living in a small town offers a unique and appealing lifestyle that is often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of city life. While cities have their own advantages, there are numerous benefits to living in a small town that [...]

The City of Manila has a population of 1.7 million people and is considered as one of the most polluted cities in the world with notorious traffic congestions. The city of Adelaide is, on the other hand, one of the most liveable [...]

Panama City, the capital of the Republic of Panama, is a bustling metropolis with a rich history and diverse culture. Its strategic location between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, as well as its role as the gateway to [...]

In the annals of history, there are cities that rise to greatness, their names echoing through time. And then there are cities that are condemned to obscurity, their stories hidden in the shadows of the forgotten. This is the [...]

Paris is the capital city of France. With over 12 million inhabitants, it holds around 19% of France’s total population. Paris is most popularly known as the center of fashion. The city is also popular for its fine cuisine, art, [...]

For the purpose of a descriptive essay about a street I’ve decided to write about three streets at once. I have always been someone who craves for the soothing effect of the ordinary. People bustling down the streets, [...]

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

Instructions Followed To The Letter
Deadlines Met At Every Stage
Unique And Plagiarism Free

Essay on City Life Vs Village Life for Students and Children

500+ words essay on city life vs village life.

Village life reflects the rural lifestyle and city life shows the urban lifestyle. Life in both rural and urban areas has its own plus points and problems. One is quite different from each other. Traditionally, India is a predominantly rural country as Mahatma Gandhi had said, “The real India lives in villages”. Though India is mainly a land of villages, there are many cities as well in the country. Life in these big cities is quite different from life in a village. Let us consider, in brief, life in a big city and point out some of its important advantages and disadvantages.

Comparison: City life Vs Village life

The facility of education.

In big cities, there are good arrangements for education. The big college even universities are available. There are also a very large number of school both government and private in the big city. These arrangements do not exist in small towns and villages.

Medical Facility

Cities also provide sufficient medical facilities. Almost in every city, there are good hospitals in which the poor get free medicines and treatment. Many qualified doctors are also there to serve the sick and the suffering. Indeed lack of such medical arrangement is the main drawback of villages.

Amusement and Recreation

Cities also provide many opportunities for amusement and recreation. In every city, there are a number of cinema houses and multiplexes, where we can enjoy with family. Also, a number of restaurants and hotels are available for better food of variety. There are also many parks and gardens where we can enjoy the best natural beauty. Villages are always lacking such facilities.

The Opportunity of Employment

The most important advantages of cities are the availability of huge opportunity for employment . They are centers of trade and commerce as well as offices of many multinational companies . Persons with different qualifications can easily find jobs to suit them. In villages, employment is available mostly in farming. Due to farming, only seasonal jobs are available to a large population in villages.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Mixed Culture

Cities are having a variety of people from various cultures. But real India and its customs are highly visible in villages.

Natural Environment

It is fact villages are always natural due to be their self-creation by nature. On the other hand, most cities are manmade. Hence the natural environment of villages is their main attraction. In villages only we may have the charms of birds and flowers or the beauty of the day-dawn.

Pollution and Adulteration

City life is extremely unhealthy due to air pollution, water pollution, and noise pollution . The people are not getting fresh air to breathe or the clear sky to enjoy the sunshine. Also, food in the cities is dirty, unhealthy and adulterated. The villages are very much away from such drawbacks.

Population and Other Issues

In city life is very costly. People have to live with a lot of pomp and show. A simple life as in the villages is almost impossible in the city. Besides, the cities are over-crowded and it is very hard for people to get suitable accommodation. People in the city do not have much sympathy with others even with neighbors. The sympathy and close interdependence which is marked in the village’s life is entirely lacking in the city.

Thus, life in villages and in cities presents two contrasting pictures. There are positive as well as negative aspects of both. Therefore it is up to the individual to make the most of it irrespective of the rural or urban setting that one lives in. I, myself, like to live in a village in the close vicinity of a modern city so that I can enjoy the pleasures both of the city and the village.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

Travelling Essay
Picnic Essay
Our Country Essay
My Parents Essay
Essay on Favourite Personality
Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
Essay on Knowledge is Power
Essay on Gurpurab
Essay on My Favourite Season
Essay on Types of Sports

Download the App

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

City life vs Village Life Essay

Essay on City Life vs Village Life

The best way to enhance one’s language is to practice writing in the same way. While writing the mind is pushed to think beyond its comfort zone. This sparks the creative streaks of a student allowing him to explore the various aspects of the topic. Also, writing essays improves the language hold for the students. Writing repeatedly and consistently will make students easily understand the various rules of grammar. As one goes to higher classes, the need to write lengthy answers increases. Practicing essays from a younger class will help students to learn to write well-structured answers from a younger age.

The mentality of humans cleared the picture of two different sides in their minds, but in actuality, the situation is partially contradictory. The coin has two sides, so it's unpredictable to say which one is right. The count of things related to each other in city life and village life is beyond one’s reach. If they accelerate each other, combining together, it will not take long for the country to prosper.

The rural lifestyle is most primarily reflected in village life while the urban lifestyle is most primarily reflected in city life. There are both advantages and disadvantages of living in both rural and urban areas. Regardless, they are very different from each other. A country like India is considered to be the land of villages though there are many cities as well. Life in villages is quite different from that in the cities.

In the case of big cities, there are very good arrangements for education. Schools, colleges and universities are present in cities while in case of the villages there are very poor arrangements for education and there are many village areas where people are uneducated and do not get the chance to study because of lack of education facilities. This is one of the reasons why nowadays people from villages move to urban areas.

In the case of urban areas, excellent medical facilities are there. There are top-class hospitals where there are camps available for the poor as well where qualified doctors give free treatments. On the contrary, there is rarely any medical facility available in the villages, and in many areas, people have to run to cities and travel miles even in case of emergencies to get treatment.

Another advantage of living in an urban area is that there is a huge number of jobs available and many multinational companies, small companies, big companies are present in the big cities. There are centers of trade and commerce and it is very easy for a person to find a job in the urban areas. On the other hand, villagers mostly do farming and the jobs are limited to seasonal jobs.

Though in terms of the technical factors the city life is way ahead of the village life, yet people consider village life more peaceful. The customs of Real India are reflected mostly in the villages where people have not left their cultures and still follow the Indian traditions. India has a vast variety of cultures which is visible only in the villages.

The urban areas are fully man-made while on the other hand villages are self-created and are very natural which is one of the reasons why people from cities travel to villages in order to seek peace and enjoy nature. The wide species of birds, different varieties of flowers, scenic views, and all the things related to nature is the beauty of the villages.

The villages feed and clothe the people while the city provides learning and culture. In rural areas, however, most of the people depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Poultry farming proves to be a lucrative business for them. In the past, villagers used to meet their daily needs by exchanging gold-grown crops with their villagers. But as urbanization increased, these same people started selling the goods in the towns.

India is blessed with a great tradition. In terms of tradition and culture, villagers seem to have retained the old tradition. Dussehra, Diwali, Holi, and the other 29 festivals in a year are celebrated here with enthusiasm and spontaneity. The urban people who are undergoing modernization seem to lack it. However, the city dwellers, who are engaged all day long, lack the time and desire for such things. They almost forgot our traditions in addition to the money. Highly demanded cities result in congestion, even population leads to pollution. An increase in cost and expenditure is a serious issue for city dwellers. Villages are the best place to live comparatively, as hygiene food and calm environment with peace. The village is in dire need of education. Primary education can be easily acquired in villages too. However, for secondary education, one has to move towards cities. The variety of facilities available in the cities reduces the scarcity of educational staff. People used to migrate towards cities or smart cities, to get benefited from lots of job opportunities, stable income, and better life stability.

The picture in the city is completely different; here agriculture is basically a side business of the citizens. Where precious diamonds in the form of cultivation are grown in the village, the skyscrapers stand on the same farm in the city. Cities have well-structured transport systems, which connect all the remote areas in urban centers. The leading role of transport is played by rail, road, and the air. The city livers possess various alternative options when it comes to transportation. Even having more than enough, in emergencies, plenty of taxis and cabs are ready to get hired from you. Thousands of families of taxi drivers survived on this.

It is clear to all citizens that the availability of medical facilities in the cities is speedy compared to that of villages. Often, patients from the villages have to move to cities even for a minor ailment. Moreover, Better communication if observed in big towns, smart business tycoons eager to invest in large cities as they said, we do not feel inferior here. A math worm and economic predictor can start making a lot of money by smartly utilizing their cerebrum in the stock market.

Therefore, it is clear that life in villages and cities are two different faces of the same coin. There are pros and cons of life in both areas. We must analyze both lives and choose what we want accordingly.

Get Your Edge With Vedantu

One can easily read and study the essay City Life vs Village Life from Vedantu. This article will help students and learners to understand the difference between lives in the two places and also, enable them to write the same in their exams. Experts at Vedantu have created necessary points for the essay and provided them so that students can benefit from this at ease.

FAQs on City life vs Village Life Essay

1. What makes village life appealing compared to city life?

The availability of good and healthy food, clean air along abundant space makes village life more appealing. Most of the land in villages is used for agriculture. This makes the village a very clean and peaceful environment. There is no air, water, or noise pollution in villages making it all the more appealing to live in.

2. Why do people from villages migrate to cities?

A city or a smart city unlike villages has a lot to offer in the form of comfort and personal growth. A city offers strong communication facilities, transport facilities, medical facilities, job and business opportunities along with education facilities. All these make the villagers want to leave their homes and migrate to cities for better living conditions.

3. How can village life be improved to prevent people from migrating to cities?

People living in villages are very simple with the need for basic requirements. Providing secondary education, electricity, toilets, and medical facilities will improve their lives encouraging them to stay back in their villages and continue farming.

4. How does vedantu help students with essay writing?

Vedantu has provided here numerous essays on various topics to help students write the essays in the correct way. These essays are written to help students understand the correct way of writing essays allowing them to replicate the same for better marks.

5. Why do people in big cities have health-related issues?

Since there are no cars, no factories, no vehicles present in the village areas, they are far away from all the pollution and people breathe fresh air and eat fresh food. In the case of urban areas, the air is very unhealthy and the food is not fresh many times. There is so much pollution in the city that people get sick because of it. People have started getting breathing problems, stomach problems, and other health-related issues because of the pollution and the unavailability of fresh food.

Free Samples and Examples of Essays, Homeworks and any Papers

Absolutely free
Perfect homeworks
Fast relevant search
No registration and Anonymous

Farm Life Vs. City Life

Filed Under: Essays Tagged With: lifestyle

By comparing life between living on a farm and living in the city, there are many differences and similarities between the two. Each of these places both has something special and unique about them. The choice for a living place is very individual and depends on one’s personal values. Personally I prefer the farm life, while others might choose to live in the city because they enjoy a much more busy and social living style. The factors that one must consider before choosing between the two are environments, lifestyles, and family values.

However, the beauty of farms can’t be compared with the modern cities today. Farms have more fresh air, have more vegetation, and are more quiet and peaceful. Also, farms are mostly surrounded by a lot of beautiful nature and scenery; such as, trees, mountains, lakes, etc. A person who lives on a farm is more likely to identify and prioritize his/her essentials much more so than his/her desires. For example, a farmer is going to be more concerned about working on the farm all night and day rather than what he/she is going to wear. It is also important to a farmer on how his/her farm will succeed.

The layout of the city life is much more modern in style than the farm life. Usually, the scenery in a city is of high buildings, loud, and not as green, but it does offer more conveniences. City life is better described as being at a faster pace, and having peer pressure along with work pressure. In the city, there are a big variety of universities, colleges, schools, museums, theaters, and markets. These days people usually prefer the modern lifestyle. People in the city tend to give their everyday needs the same priority as their materialistic desires. City dwellers can be easily embarrassed if they have an older car or if they have a job that pays less than their friends or relatives.

The Essay on Living in the City vs. Living in the Country

It is nearly impossible to find a good answer on the question, what is better: living in the city or living in the country. What is good for one person might not be good for another! Some people enjoy hyper-active life in cosmopolitan cities, where they can use all modern amenities and have practically unlimited opportunities for work and leisure. At the same time, other people feel the urge to be ...

Of course, for most of us though, the relationships with our family members are very important. Usually, the farm dwellers are much closer to each other, because the younger generation is fostered on helping make life on the farm a little easier. Children stay with their families deliberately to continue farming, and to make life on the farm run much more smoothly which makes a very close bond between the parents and their children. However, a parent living in the city can probably have the same kind of bonds with his/her children, but in different ways. An example of the differences can be found people’s daily life routines. City dwellers are more concerned about their own lives; such as their personal needs and maybe reaching their goals by studying in distinguished universities.

In conclusion, the decision on one’s lifestyle will be directly based off of the personal needs and values of the person. For some people, it’s more important to live in a healthy environment and always stay close to families and friends. However, city life is more intense and fast. The city has more fascination and material things that people can try to fulfill. But if at some point in life people eventually get tired from the crowds and competitiveness of the city, it may be a good idea to escape to a quiet place, such as the farm life.

Similar Papers

Country vs city life.

... life because they enjoy relax living, fresh food and fresh air, In contrast, people in city ... important decision to a happy life is where you choose to spend the rest of your life ... found in the cities. In the country people have their farm and even their ...

Do You Agree That City Life Is Becoming Increasingly Unattractive?

... people living in cities would wonder how different life would be in the countryside where people are one with nature, have a much less hectic lifestyle ... This might make it difficult to support the family financially. However, in cites, this is not an ...

City Life vs Country Life

... in the city people would probably call it a riot. When you have a family get together ... you country life is better for you. When you think about living in the city you’re excited ... the country you can have your own farm, you just let your dog’s run free, ...

City life is better than village life

... and disadvantages in city life and village life, also there is a big differ in the lifestyle with a little similarities. Reality, city life is more ...

Disadvantages And Advantages Of City Life

... available everywhere, we can go shopping very quickly. The city life provides us with many sorts of entertainments such as: ... you should avoid disadvantages for your life. In my opinion, i prefer living in the city at present because my character is ...

City Life vs. Village Life

What's the difference.

City life and village life are two contrasting ways of living. City life is fast-paced, bustling, and filled with opportunities for career growth and entertainment. It offers a wide range of amenities such as shopping malls, restaurants, and cultural events. On the other hand, village life is peaceful, close-knit, and centered around nature. It provides a sense of community and simplicity, with less noise and pollution. While city life offers convenience and excitement, village life offers tranquility and a stronger connection to nature. Ultimately, the choice between city life and village life depends on individual preferences and priorities.

Further Detail

Introduction.

City life and village life are two contrasting ways of living that offer unique experiences and opportunities. While city life is characterized by its fast-paced nature, modern amenities, and diverse population, village life is known for its tranquility, close-knit communities, and connection with nature. In this article, we will explore the attributes of both city life and village life, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages.

Infrastructure and Amenities

One of the significant differences between city life and village life lies in their infrastructure and amenities. Cities are known for their well-developed infrastructure, including efficient transportation systems, modern healthcare facilities, educational institutions, shopping centers, and recreational facilities. The availability of these amenities makes city life convenient and provides residents with a wide range of options for entertainment, education, and healthcare.

In contrast, village life often lacks the same level of infrastructure and amenities. Villages typically have limited transportation options, with fewer public transportation services and fewer roads. Healthcare facilities may be limited, and residents may need to travel to nearby towns or cities for specialized medical care. Educational institutions in villages are often smaller and may have fewer resources compared to those in cities. However, village life offers a more peaceful and close-knit community environment, which some individuals find appealing.

Population and Diversity

Another significant difference between city life and village life is the population and diversity of the communities. Cities are densely populated, with millions of people from various cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This diversity creates a vibrant and multicultural environment, offering opportunities for individuals to interact with people from different walks of life. The exposure to diverse perspectives and cultures can broaden one's horizons and foster tolerance and understanding.

In contrast, villages have smaller populations, and the communities are often more homogenous. Villagers tend to have closer relationships with their neighbors and share common traditions and values. While this can create a strong sense of community and belonging, it may limit exposure to different cultures and perspectives.

Cost of Living

The cost of living is another crucial aspect to consider when comparing city life and village life. Generally, cities have a higher cost of living due to the higher demand for housing, transportation, and goods and services. Rent or property prices in cities are often significantly higher than in villages. Additionally, the cost of groceries, dining out, and entertainment tends to be higher in urban areas.

Village life, on the other hand, offers a lower cost of living. Housing prices are generally more affordable, and the cost of daily necessities is often lower compared to cities. This can be advantageous for individuals or families looking to save money or live a simpler lifestyle. However, it is important to note that certain specialized goods or services may be less accessible in villages, requiring residents to travel to nearby cities for specific needs.

Job Opportunities

Job opportunities are often more abundant in cities compared to villages. Cities are economic hubs that attract businesses and industries, offering a wide range of employment options across various sectors. The presence of numerous companies and organizations in cities provides individuals with more choices and opportunities for career growth and development.

In contrast, villages typically have limited job opportunities, especially in specialized fields. The primary occupations in villages are often related to agriculture, farming, or small-scale businesses. While village life may offer a more relaxed and less stressful work environment, individuals seeking career advancement or specialized job roles may find it challenging to pursue their desired professions in rural areas.

Environmental Factors

When comparing city life and village life, it is essential to consider the environmental factors that come into play. Cities are often associated with higher pollution levels, increased traffic congestion, and a lack of green spaces. However, cities also tend to have better waste management systems and access to clean water and sanitation facilities.

Village life, on the other hand, offers a closer connection to nature and a cleaner environment. Villages are typically surrounded by greenery, with access to fresh air and open spaces. The pace of life in villages is often slower, allowing individuals to enjoy a more peaceful and serene environment. However, villages may face challenges in waste management and access to clean water, especially in underdeveloped regions.

In conclusion, city life and village life offer distinct attributes and experiences. While cities provide modern amenities, diverse populations, and abundant job opportunities, they also come with a higher cost of living, increased pollution, and a faster-paced lifestyle. On the other hand, village life offers a close-knit community, a lower cost of living, and a closer connection to nature, but may lack infrastructure, job opportunities, and exposure to diversity. Ultimately, the choice between city life and village life depends on individual preferences, priorities, and the desired quality of life.

Comparisons may contain inaccurate information about people, places, or facts. Please report any issues.

City Life Essay

500+ words essay on city life.

City life is very busy, fast-moving and restless. All the necessary things are easily available in the city. Life is full of luxuries, and everything is within reach. The city has many things to offer, such as better job opportunities, higher living standards, medical facilities, clubs, shopping malls, stores, restaurants, etc. It has theatres, amusement parks, cricket stadiums etc., for entertainment. People from rural areas are shifting to the cities for a better quality of life. This essay on city life will throw light on the positive and negative aspects of city life. Students must go through it and try to write their own essays. For more practice, they can go through the list of different essay topics, which will help in improving their writing section.

Positive Aspects of City Life

Life in a big city is a whirl of activities. Very often, people from the countryside move to the cities in order to find decent jobs. It offers good educational facilities for children by providing the best schools, colleges and institutions. Cities have always been the hub of innovation, the home of creative thought, art forms, political ideas and many more things. People of the city do not waste their time as they keep doing something to gain growth and success in their life. Cities are well connected with road, railway and flight networks. So, it becomes easy for individuals to connect with other people and grow their businesses as compared to rural areas. Cities have become a potent force for addressing economic growth, development and prosperity.

Negative Aspects of City Life

Cities are very crowded places. The cost of living in the city is high. The houses are small and inadequate due to space limitations. Bad housing conditions can cause various health issues. The environment of the city is very polluted due to the air, water, land and noise pollution. This causes bad health and can infect people with various diseases.

Some of the cities are very dirty due to the lack of a proper disposal system. Also, drainage problems are often found in the city. People do not get fresh air to breathe and natural places where they can rejuvenate themselves. People in the city are often busy, so they do not socially interact with others. They limit themselves to their houses and families. Sometimes, they don’t even know about their neighbours and surroundings.

The impact of the city on a person’s life is both negative and positive. From the bad quality of air to noise pollution and restless life, it has affected peace of mind. But cities are also stimulating as centres of industry, art, science and political power. They are the focus of progress. By reducing the aggressive impact of the city on people, the essential positive aspects of city life can be greatly intensified.

Students must have found this city life essay useful for improving their essay writing skills. They can get the study material and the latest updates on CBSE/ICSE/State Board/Competitive Exams at BYJU’S.

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Counselling

Comparisons

Living on a Farm vs. Living in the City

Difference between living on a farm and living in the city.

By common belief, an person's personality has something to do with the date they were born as that depicts what their zodiac sign will be. Well I have to admit that this plays a somewhat significant role in molding one's personality as I have personally seen resemblances in regards to character traits that the zodiac signs have for each one. But what shapes a personâs perception of reality and beliefs are anchored in the natal environment they have used in their orientation towards life. Of course many people live in the suburbs, but what can we say about how city living alters a person versus living on a farm.

Family Values

For most of us, our family is your support network. Our relationships with our family members should never be taken for granted. They will always be there for you when you need them the most and I'm sure you'll be there as well for them when the situation calls for it. But you can't help but notice the different family values instilled into a person living on a farm compared with someone living in the city. A majority of people living on farms stay with their families, helping to make life on the farm run smoothly and are with them most of the day everyday thus creating an unbreakable bond between them. A person living in the city can have this same bond but, let's face it, city life is so busy. Friends, play, dining, exploring and career fill the hours of every day. An example of the differences can be found in care for our family elders. Life is so busy that there are special homes for the aged that provide old people a place to stay if their own families are too busy or are unable to take care of them. Places like these are less common in rural areas because of the family bonding stressed here.

Wants and Needs

The difference in what a person wants and needs has something to do with where they are located. A person living on a farm identifies and prioritizes their needs much more so than their wants. Rural people are aware of what is necessary for them to live a lifestyle further removed from others and closer to natural cycles which gives routine things greater importance. Their wants are seemingly simple and with that said, they generally don't cling to the "I need to get it" attitude. However people in the city tend to give their needs the same priority as their wants. With all of the enticing and competition inducing commercials they see on television plus the peer persuasions that tell them to get a specific item, you can't help but feel a bit pressured to own that item, etc. Life in the city is just more complicated than life on a farm.

The Environment

The surrounding environment between a farm and a city has vast obvious differences that tend to be overlooked at times. Farm life is best described as a peaceful and healthy way of living. You are surrounded by nature's gifts such as the animals, trees, sun, wind, natural cycles and so on. There are stresses having to do with health, wealth and prosperity but these stresses aren't usually as complicated. If needs are met then the object is doing itâs job, more or less. Having the newest iPod less likely to make your friends who donât plan on buying one, feel the need to re-prioritize their budgets just to get one.

City life is best described as fast paced, modern gadgetry, pollution, peer pressure, work pressure, advertising pressure, financial pressure, etc. Keeping up with Jonesâs is commonplace. City dwellers can be easily embarrassed by having an older car, a small television, a job that pays less than oneâs friends or relatives, clothes that donât make a statement, less exciting vacation plans, etc. As the economies slow down, how could normal city people revert to feeling that they need fewer luxuries? Does knowing more about the newest stuff really make one better?

Living on a farm gives you discipline and values plus a healthy environment to live in.
Living in the city is a bit more hectic as life is always running at a fast pace especially if you are career oriented.
The temptation material things have on us play out greater on the population of people living in the city as opposed to those who live on a farm.
The lifestyle experienced on a farm gives one the benefit of acquiring quality family values whereas in the city, extra effort is needed to learn and keep good family values in the face of many external pressures.

Funny Tribute to Farm Living and City Life

Living on a Farm
Living in the City

13 Comments

Related comparisons.

Influences of Celebrities vs. Influence of Parents
NRA vs. PETA: Gun Debate?
Deepak Chopra vs. Richard Dawkins
Religious Belief vs. Faith: Divine Inspiration
Deutsch vs. Dutch
Karma vs. Grace
Arranged Marriage vs. Love Marriage: Which is better?

Top Community Comparisons

Catholic vs. Christian: Subtle Differences
Divorce vs. Talaq: What's the difference?
National Debt Of Portugal vs. Greece Compared
Winner vs. Loser
Personal Relationship vs. Interpersonal Relationship
Freedom vs. Liberty: What's in a name?
Drowsy Driving vs. Drunk Driving: Awake at the Wheel
Terms of Service
Privacy Policy

© 2024 RE:comparison

We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you’re on board with our cookie policy

Farm Life vs. City Life

Word count: 560
Category: Life

A limited time offer! Get a custom sample essay written according to your requirements urgent 3h delivery guaranteed

California Missions

By: History.com Editors

Updated: August 21, 2018 | Original: December 21, 2017

Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, or Carmel Mission, near Monterey, California, was established in June 1770, one of the largest Franciscan missions built along the California coast during the 18th century.

The California missions began in the late 18th century as an effort to convert Native Americans to Catholicism and expand European territory. There were 21 missions in all, lasting from 1769 until about 1833.

The California missions began in the late 18th century as an effort to convert Native Americans to Catholicism and expand European territory. Spain was responsible for the missions, which scholars believe were attempts to colonize the Pacific coast of North America. There were 21 missions in all, lasting from 1769 until about 1833. The mission system brought many new cultural and religious ideas to California, though critics charge the systematic oppression of Native Americans amounted to slavery.

Junipero Serra

Although Spain claimed California as its territory in 1542, Spaniards didn’t try to occupy the land until the late 1700s.

Around the time of the first missions, Spain had a considerable presence in Mexico . In 1769, the Spanish king ordered land and sea expeditions to depart from Mexico to California. He also sent military troops and Franciscan missionaries to the new land.

Franciscan priest Father Junipero Serra founded the first mission in 1769. This was known as Mission San Diego de Alcalá and was located in present-day San Diego. San Diego Mission

The native Indians who occupied the region were initially resistant to the mission. In 1775, hundreds of local Tipai-Ipai Indians attacked and burned the San Diego Mission, killing three men, including Father Luis Jayme. The missionaries rebuilt the mission as an army fort.

Junipero Serra went on to establish eight more missions before his death in 1784.

Goals of the Missions

The main goal of the California missions was to convert Native Americans into devoted Christians and Spanish citizens.

Spain used mission work to influence the natives with cultural and religious instruction.

Another motivation for the missions was to ensure that rival countries, such as Russia and Great Britain, didn’t try to occupy the California region first.

California Missions List

The 21 California missions, listed in the order they were founded, are:

1. (1769) Mission San Diego de Alcalá 2. (1770) Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo 3. (1771) Mission San Antonio de Padua 4. (1771) Mission San Gabriel 5. (1772) Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa 6. (1776) Mission San Francisco de Asís (Mission Dolores) 7. (1776) Mission San Juan Capistrano 8. (1777) Mission Santa Clara de Asís 9. (1782) Mission San Buenaventura 10. (1786) Mission Santa Barbara 11. (1787) Mission La Purísima Concepción 12. (1791) Mission Santa Cruz 13. (1791) Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad 14. (1797) Mission San José 15. (1797) Mission San Juan Bautista 16. (1797) Mission San Miguel Arcángel 17. (1797) Mission San Fernando Rey de España 18. (1798) Mission San Luis Rey de Francia 19. (1804) Mission Santa Inés 20. (1817) Mission San Rafael Arcángel 21. (1823) Mission San Francisco Solano

Life in the Mission

The missions created new communities where the Native Americans received religious education and instruction. The Spanish established pueblos (towns) and presidios (forts) for protection.

The natives lived in the missions until their religious training was complete. Then, they would move to homes outside of the missions.

Once the natives converted to Christianity , the missionaries would move on to new locations, and the existing missions served as churches.

The native converts were known as “neophytes.” After they were baptized, they were expected to perform labor. Typically, men worked in the fields, and women cooked. Both learned Spanish and attended church.

Farming was an especially important job in the mission community. Wheat, barley and maize were some of the staple crops that were grown. The Spanish missionaries also brought fruits from Europe, such as apples, peaches and pears.

Other jobs included carpentry, building, weaving and leather-working.

Padres, or religious leaders, oversaw the mission. They were assigned six soldiers to protect them and the mission properties.

Mission Architecture

The mission period greatly influenced architecture in California. Many of the buildings, houses and churches still exist today.

Native Americans used all-natural materials, such as stone, timber, mud brick, adobe and tile to build mission structures. Typically, buildings had large courtyards with tall adobe walls. Missions were built around patios that contained fountains and a garden.

The buildings of this period are sometimes labeled as “mission style” to describe the signature design and craftsmanship.

End of the Mission System

By 1821, Mexico won its independence from Spain. For several years, there was debate about what to do with the mission system.

In 1833, the Mexican government passed a law that secularized and ended missions. California was part of Mexico during this time.

Some of the mission land and buildings were turned over to the Mexican government. While much of the property was intended to be given back to the natives, private owners ended up with the majority of land.

Later, missions were used as U.S. military bases in the 1846 war with Mexico.

After gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in 1848, Americans began to migrate by the masses to California. In 1850, California officially became a state.

Abraham Lincoln granted the Catholic Church ownership of some of the California missions in 1865.

Today, many of the missions are tourist attractions with their own museums.

Impact of the Missions

The California missions, which stretched from San Diego to Sonoma, had a significant impact on the Native Californians.

The mission era influenced culture, religion, architecture, art, language and economy in the region.

But, the missions also impacted California Indian cultures in negative ways. Europeans forced the natives to change their civilization to match the modern world. In the process, local traditions, cultures and customs were lost.

Some critics have charged that the Spanish mission system forced Native Americans into slavery and prostitution, comparing the missions to “concentration camps.”

Additionally, Spanish missionaries brought diseases with them that killed untold thousands of natives.

Prior to the California missions, there were about 300,000 Native Californians. By 1834, scholars believe there were only about 20,000 remaining.

A History of California’s Missions, Los Angeles Times . The California Missions, California Missions Foundation . California Missions: A Journey Along the El Camino Real, California Museum . Spanish Exploration , The Spanish Missions of California . California Missions History – 5 Facts You Need to Understand, Old Mission San Luis Rey. Map of the California Missions, California Missions Resource Center. Easter Sunday protest over Serra planned at Carmel Mission. Monterey Herald .

Sign up for Inside History

Get HISTORY’s most fascinating stories delivered to your inbox three times a week.

By submitting your information, you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Networks. You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States.

More details : Privacy Notice | Terms of Use | Contact Us

Early California Resource Center

Native American Life at the California Missions: An Overview

By Damian Bacich

What was life like for Native Americans at the California missions?

How did native people live at the Spanish missions in Alta California? What were their jobs? What did they eat? An in-depth look at Native American life in the California missions.

Prior to the arrival of Spanish explorers, missionaries and soldiers, human beings had occupied the territory that would later be known as Alta California for as many as 15,000 years. Important changes occurred in Native American life with the establishment of the California missions.

1 Spanish Exploration
2 Establishing Missions
3 Presidios
4 Mission Location
5 Living Quarters
6 Who Lived in the Mission?
7 Gentiles, Neophytes and Gente de Razón
8 Native American Languages at the Missions
9 A Working Farm
11 Native American Clothing
12 Daily Life in the California Missions
13 Mission Work Schedule
14 Jobs at the California Missions
15 Specialized Jobs
16 Men’s Jobs
17 Women’s Jobs
18 Children’s Jobs
19 Military Service
20 Illness and Disease
21 Fugitives
22 Secularization and the End of the Missions
23 Books About Native American Life in the Missions

Spanish Exploration

Europeans, particularly the Spanish, began to explore the coastline of North America as early as the 1530s. However, in the late 18 th century, thanks to competition with England and Russia , Spanish leaders decided to establish a military presence in Alta California, as a deterrent against their foreign rivals.

Establishing Missions

An important part of Spanish policy in North America was the establishment of missions. In places such as the coastal areas of Florida, Georgia and New Mexico, missions were founded in the midst of Indian towns with the agreement of the local chieftain or leader.

In Alta California, the Spanish established missions near Native American settlements and encouraged them to join the missions, persuading them of the advantages they would obtain.

Such advantages would include access to a stable food supply, protection from their enemies by becoming allies of the King of Spain, and a new religion (Christianity), which promised eternal life for the people and freedom from the power of shamans or native religious leaders.

Along with missions as a way of establishing alliances with indigenous people, Spanish policy foresaw the founding of army garrisons, called presidios , and eventually, civilian towns, known as pueblos . With the establishment of missions, presidios and pueblos in Alta California, the life of native groups along much of the western coastline was changed profoundly.

Native American life in the California missions. A model of a native (Salinan) village as might have looked prior to Spanish contact. From the Mission San Miguel Arcángel Museum.

Mission Location

In Alta California, missions were usually founded in locations where there was good land for agriculture and a reliable water source . This would happen after consultations and negotiations with local Indian groups, which was crucial, since the the mission could be destroyed if it was not supported by local native people.

According to Spanish and Church law, Indians could be persuaded, but not forced to join the mission. Once they did join, however, they were considered citizens of the mission and of Spain, and were expected to live within its boundaries . These boundaries corresponded roughly to the borders of their traditional lands, unless they joined the mission from far away, as was the case with many Yukuts people from the San Joaquin Valley.

Of course, not all Indians in areas under Spanish control joined the missions or became Christians. Long into the Mexican era, there were Native American settlements or rancherías in many places in Alta California. We also know of cases where non-Christian Indians lived and worked in towns and ranchos, speaking Spanish and even adopting Hispanic dress.

Living Quarters

In the early years of the establishment of a mission, Indians would live in their traditional dwellings, usually conical-shaped houses made of tree branches.

As time went on, however, some Indians would build permanent houses for themselves made of adobe bricks, or move into the pre-existing adobe family quarters close to the mission church.

Natives could travel outside the mission periodically to visit kin, go on trading or hunting trips, or take part in military expeditions. Others would live in asistencias or doctrinas , native ranches that were connected to a particular mission.

At some missions, such as San Diego de Alcalá, Christian Indians would live in their own villages among non-Christian natives. They would come to the mission church for Mass and to receive the sacraments. Some families, usually those with the highest social status within their communities, would live within the mission compound, close to the padres’ quarters.

Restored native family housing at Mission Santa Cruz State Park.

Who Lived in the Mission?

Native American mayordomos or supervisors would oversee the day-to-day operation of the mission. These were normally chosen from among Indians who had become most familiar with and adapted to the mission lifestyle. Spanish law also required that the Indians elect alcaldes (a combination of mayor and judge) and regidores (town councilmen) from amongst themselves as the political representatives of the people on the mission.

At the height of the mission period, as many as 1,500 native people could be living within the boundaries of each mission.

Every mission would be staffed by one or usually two priests from the Franciscan Order. One would focus on the administrative aspects of the mission, and another would address the spiritual needs of the Indians. There was also a small cadre of 5-7 soldiers who, if they were married, lived with their families on the mission grounds. These were there to guard the mission against attack and to serve as a police force.

Gentiles, Neophytes and Gente de Razón

Much of the information we have about native life at the California missions comes from the records kept by the priests who administered the missions. They were bound to record the times that they baptized, married or celebrated other sacraments in their communities.

A particularly important source of information is the answers to the questionnaires or interrogatorios that the Spanish government sent to each mission community regarding Indian life in 1812. The information that the missionaries provided gives a precious snapshot of native life at each of the missions through the padres’ eyes.

The Spanish government and the padres had a way of classifying people according to their level of acceptance of Christianity and Hispanic culture. Those who were not Christian were known as gentiles . In the Roman Empire, the word “gentile” was one that Jewish people used to indicate people who did not belong to the Jewish faith.

Indians who had accepted Christianity but who had not fully adopted Hispanic customs were known as neophytes. This term had its origins in the early days of Christianity, when those who had recently embraced the Christian faith but were still learning about it, were called neophytes. Thus, Indians who lived on mission lands were generally referred to as neophytes.

People who lived according to a Hispanic lifestyle, including settlers, soldiers, and priests, were known as gente de razón or “civilized people.” This category also included Indians from other parts of the Spanish empire who came to settle in Alta California.

Native American Languages at the Missions

When the Spanish arrived in Alta California, there were as many as 80 different languages spoken among native people . Sometimes, neighboring Indian groups were not even able to understand each other’s languages.

For example, at Mission Santa Clara de Asís, three or four different Indian languages were spoken amongst the native people there. Where possible, the padres learned the local Indian languages.

Fr. Felipe Arroyo de la Cuesta of San Juan Bautista wrote grammars of local native languages. At many of the missions, the missionaries composed catechisms, or short books about the Christian faith, in native languages.

When more than one group lived at a mission, communication could be a challenge, though younger people would often learn Spanish . Indians learned Spanish through their dealings with local soldiers and settlers and because the padres would often teach them.

Because more than one tribe would often live together at a particular mission, groups that had traditionally been enemies would sometimes be in the same area. This could be a source of friction and conflict, but the padres encouraged people to marry spouses from other tribes, and with time, some of these conflicts could be overcome.

A Working Farm

Native American life in the California missions followed an agricultural rhythm. Each mission was a functioning ranch or farm. Cattle ranching was especially important because the beef that was produced fed the mission Indian population, and products derived from cattle, especially the hides, would be traded or sold to the military and to merchants who came on ships from other places.

Most missions produced a large number of agricultural goods to feed their community, especially grains like wheat, but also fruits and vegetables, grapes for wine and olives for oil.

Some Indians, if they showed interest, were given their own teams of oxen and seeds to sow for their own personal use.

Typically, three meals a day were administered at the missions. At breakfast, there would be a type of corn soup called atole, which is still very popular in Mexico today. At lunch, people would generally eat boiled wheat, corn, peas, beans and vegetables, as well as seasonal fruit. At dinner, they would have the same type of meal as at breakfast. Cattle were slaughtered regularly, so mission members also ate a great deal of beef throughout the year.

In addition to the communal meals offered at the mission, Indian families would eat in their own homes. They would often go hunting or fishing or gather their traditional foods.

One Spanish ship’s captain who visited Monterey in the 1790s observed Indians from the Mission San Carlos Borromeo hunting deer. According to him, the men kept

the skins of some heads of these animals with their horns and part of the neck, and skinned with much care. Next, they fill these with dry grass, trying to conserve the shape that they had when they were attached to the head. On going out to hunt, they fit these caps over their heads.”

They would then wait, moving their heads from time to time, in order to attract the deer. As the deer would approach, the men would be able to shoot them with their arrows from a close range.

Native American Clothing

In most California Indian communities, it was not customary to wear much clothing. Women often wore skirts made of animal skins or plant fibers woven together. Men generally went about completely naked, except when they dressed up for ceremonial dances or other special occasions. Indians had to adjust to the idea of wearing clothing at the missions.

For the padres, nakedness was a sign of poverty, an idea that originated in the ancient Near East and was transmitted through the Bible. So, for them, it was important that the Indians received a minimum of clothing.

When both men and women entered the missions, they were given a shirt with long sleeves called a cotón , and a blanket. Both were made of wool. Women were also given a woolen petticoat, and men received a breechclout to cover their groin area. Each year, everyone would receive a new set of garments.

Those who took up certain occupations, such as vaqueros or cowboys, would wear clothes appropriate to their jobs. Vaqueros, for example, would wear trousers and boots suitable for horsemanship. As the years passed and Indians became more accustomed to dealings with soldiers and settlers, many would adopt clothing similar to what was worn throughout Latin America.

Daily Life in the California Missions

In order for the ranch and the farm to function, everyone had a task, and most Indian members worked as members of the farm. In general, they worked approximately five hours per day during fall and winter time and between six and seven hours per day during spring and summer , Monday through Saturday.

Sundays were reserved for rest and religious services, as were the special feast days of the Catholic calendar. There could be as many as 92 throughout the year.

Mission Work Schedule

For Indians on the mission, the church bell marked the rhythms of the day . Each day would begin with prayers and mass, then breakfast. After breakfast, each person would go to work on his or her particular occupation until midday.

At midday, they would gather for prayers and lunch, followed by a break, which often involved a nap or siesta , as was common all over Spain and Latin America.

After the break, they would return to work until about an hour before sunset, which was the end of the workday. If they had already finished their tasks, they could use the time as they pleased.

At sunset, people once again gathered for prayers and then supper.

Native life in the California missions. Making candles from tallow was an important task at the missions. From the Mission San Miguel Arcángel Museum. Photo by Damian Bacich/CaliforniaFrontier.net.

Jobs at the California Missions

Since the majority of crops grown at the missions were seasonal, the agricultural tasks the Indians carried out would change throughout the year:

From December through March, for example, it was time to sow the seeds of the various crops. In April and May, it would be time for shearing sheep, branding cattle and other livestock-related jobs. June through September was spent harvesting the crops planted earlier in the year. During the rest of the year, there were plenty of maintenance tasks to take care of.

Specialized Jobs

There were also more specialized workers who made soap, tanned leather, did weaving, or worked as blacksmiths year-round. Some of these jobs were performed by men, others by women.

Men’s Jobs

The jobs of vaquero (cowboy), shepherd, cobbler, mason, carpenter, blacksmith, tanner and farmhand were common male chores at the California missions.

Learn more about native vaqueros in the mission and rancho eras.

Women’s Jobs

Women often did chores such as washing, sewing or grinding wheat. Many of these more skilled tasks would be taught by artisans from Mexico or Indians from missions in Baja California who immigrated north.

Most work was done on a quota system . Each person would have a set amount or a number of things to produce each day or week like a certain number of adobe tiles to make or cloth to weave. Once they met their quota, the workers were free to spend their time as they wished.

Children’s Jobs

Even children did work at the missions, though not the type of work adults performed. Typical children’s jobs would be things like keeping birds or small animals out of the gardens or serving at Mass or other religious functions.

Military Service

In addition to working in agricultural tasks, Indian men would often serve on military expeditions . Since the earliest days of the Spanish conquest of Mexico, Indians has fought alongside Spanish soldiers. In Paraguay, for example, Indian militias had defeated Portuguese slave traders.

The Spanish couldn’t supply enough soldiers to keep their rivals, the English and Russians, from moving into Alta California, so their plan was to have Indians serve as militiamen to protect the coast. Many of the soldiers who came to Alta California in the first Spanish expeditions had native ancestry themselves.

As time went by, and especially during the Mexican era, Christian Indians from the missions would help protect the missions from attack by hostile tribes or go out with soldiers on military missions.

There were cases when natives of nearby settlements, at times in alliance with Indians who had left the missions, would attack a mission. In 1775, Kumeyaay warriors assaulted Mission San Diego, killing one of the missionaries and other people.

In 1824 a dispute with soldiers at Mission Santa Inés sparked a revolt among the Chumash people. The revolt eventually involved Mission Santa Inés, La Purísima and Santa Bárbara.

Illness and Disease

The fathers who had responsibility for the missions kept records about the number of people to whom they administered the sacraments.

Thanks to these notes, we know that, at times, the mortality rate of Indians living on mission lands was particularly high . This was often because of the outbreak of epidemics and exposure to diseases carried by Spanish and Mexican soldiers and settlers.

Since medicine was very primitive on the California frontier, many native people lost their lives to these diseases.

There are a number of letters conserved in archives in which Spanish missionaries complain of the lack of doctors and urge the Spanish government to send some to care for the Indians.

Some Indians abandoned the mission after a period of time and became fugitives. They did not like life at the missions or had committed some offense. Often, other Indians from the mission would be sent to persuade them to return, or the padres themselves would go to speak with them. At other times, soldiers would go to try and retrieve them.

This began to happen, especially after 1810, when the Spanish government stopped supplying the presidios. Missions were ordered to provide food and other goods to the military garrisons. This greatly increased the amount of work Indians were asked to do and created resentment among many natives.

One of the most famous cases of fugitives is that of Estanislao , an alcalde from Mission San José. Estanislao led a large group of fugitives into the San Joaquín valley in 1828-1829 and resisted the Mexican army. After a number of battles with the army and native troops, Estanislao eventually returned to the mission and spent the rest of his life there.

Secularization and the End of the Missions

The missions were not meant to be permanent institutions. The Spanish government’s plan was that each mission would develop into a town with the same structure as the towns throughout Latin America. Ideally, this was supposed to happen within ten years after the founding of a mission.

In Alta California, the missionaries generally believed that ten years was not enough time for indigenous people to fully adapt to Hispanic ways, so they were resistant to the Spanish government’s timeline.

Nevertheless, after Mexico gained its independence from Spain, Mexican officials set this process, known as secularization, into motion. By the mid-1830s, they removed the missions from the authority of the Franciscans.

Native American life in the California missions changed after secularization. After the missions were secularized, civilian administrators were put in charge of each mission. Their job was to transfer the goods and property of the missions into the hands of the government and to oversee Indian labor.

These men were unpopular with the Indians, who claimed that they took the mission goods for themselves. Julio César, an Indian born at Mission San Luis Rey, talked about native life in the missions after secularization. He said that one administrator managed to take even the glasses and plates from the mission.

Most of the land that had previously belonged to the mission was sold or distributed to the families of local ranchers or to the administrators themselves. Occasionally, Indians from the missions would be granted parcels of land, as was the case of Rancho Ulistac in Santa Clara. Most Indians did not receive a land grant and either went to live in areas far away from the Hispanic population or used the skills they had learned at the missions to become laborers in towns or on local ranches.

Native American life in the California missions underwent many changes from the founding of the mission chain.

Do you still have questions? Is there any information you did not find here? If so, leave a comment at the bottom of this page!

Study Questions

How did the Spanish try to persuade native people to join the missions?
Where were missions usually located?
Where did native people live before joining the mission? Where did they live after joining the mission?
Who oversaw Native American life in the California missions?
What languages did native people speak at the mission?
What did native people eat before they joined the mission? What did they eat after joining the mission?
What was their work schedule like at the mission?
What kind of jobs did native people do at the mission?
What is a fugitive, and who is one of the most famous fugitives from the missions?
What happened to the land that belonged to native people after the missions were closed down?

Books About Native American Life in the Missions

There are a number of books that provide information about Indian life at the California missions. The ones below are some of the works that were used to prepare this article:

About Damian Bacich

Damian Bacich, Ph.D. writes about California and the West. He is also a professor, translator and historical researcher. You can learn more about Damian here .

February 25, 2019 at 11:47 am

This is a very detailed website. I got a lot of information on the Native Americans for a project. Thank you!

February 26, 2019 at 11:52 am

Thank you, Gema. I’m glad it was helpful for you!

January 21, 2019 at 6:42 pm

What changed in the Indian’s lives? (BTW this site was very helpful!)

December 22, 2018 at 7:59 pm

where a the remains of my ancesters buried in san juan Capistrano my great grandma was born there I want to find out about my other relatives my grandfather was also born there how can I find this out ive been searching for so many years can ypu help me or any pictures some how

December 28, 2018 at 9:06 am

Dear Clara,

Have you tried contacting the mission staff? They may have some information. It would also help to know if your ancestors were Spanish, Juaneño or both. If they are Juaneño, maybe try contacting the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians ( https://juaneno.com ).

August 21, 2018 at 6:42 pm

I reviewed your website and was thoroughly impressed with it. I did a research project many years back, in the 1980s regarding the California vaquero. Lots of census records, from 1860 through 1900, which was all that was available at the time. I also did research at the State Library and some at the Bancroft Library. I read books by Arnold Rojas, Jo Mora and others. I noticed that you referenced a book by George Harwood Phillips that might be of interest to me. I have decided to go back and work on this project because the subject still is of great interest to me and I am retired, so it is giving something creative to do, other than raise a few show quality goats. The census records which provided ethnicity allowed me to determine the percentage of Spanish surname, Indian, Anglo and black vaqueros. I would appreciate it if you could direct me to some other sources regarding Indian vaqueros? It would be greatly appreciated.

August 21, 2018 at 9:43 pm

Thank you for your remarks, Kathleen. The subject of Indian vaqueros is a fascinating one, though not studied enough. Most of my knowledge comes from George Harwood Phillips’ books, and I think his bibliographies have a great deal of useful references. He mainly studies Southern California, though, and I don’t know of anyone who has done the same thing for the rest of the state. I will, of course, keep on the lookout for anything I can find.

May 22, 2018 at 1:37 pm

Hi, I’m looking for information about the lives of Native American Children at the Delores Mission in San Fransisco. Were there games that they played? What was their life like?

May 22, 2018 at 5:55 pm

Hi Julie, Thanks for your question. The native people who lived at Mission Dolores were mainly Ohlone, Coast Miwok as well as others. Children did not normally do the same work as adults, but they had there own tasks, such as keeping birds away from gardens and orchard. The types of games they played varied. I will do some more research and will be writing an article soon about the topic. Stay tuned!

April 23, 2018 at 1:23 pm

I’m looking for information on what the Native American’s did when they were unhappy?

April 25, 2018 at 5:33 am

Hi Kerri, That is an interesting question. What we know is that when they were unhappy, native people would go to the mountains or the sea, or stop working. When they were in mourning (because someone died, for example), they would cut their hair. Of course like all people, if they were unhappy they could also resort to violence. There were times when native people revolted, burning the missions or even killing the padres or other Indians. Native people had the same reactions to unhappiness as we all do. I hope you find the site helpful, and that you will continue to ask questions.

January 9, 2018 at 3:09 pm

Very detailed and extensive summary of the natives at the California missions. I learned a lot, and it was very, VERY useful for my missions project at school. In a way you saved me from seeing my teacher´s angry face at seeing my work turned in late!!!

January 9, 2018 at 5:39 pm

Dear Hayden, Glad to be of help. Good luck on your project!

June 22, 2017 at 5:02 pm

Nice summary of the Mission era.

June 23, 2017 at 6:15 am

Thank you, Alex!

Affiliate disclosure

The California Frontier Project is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, as well as other programs. Affiliate advertising programs like the Amazon Associates Program are designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other retailers.

Estate Planning in California

Law Offices of Shahram Miri, Inc., a California Professional Law Corporation

March 26, 2014

What is a life estate.

About the Author

IMAGES

The Village Life and The City Life
Essay : City Life vs. Village Life
Country Life Is Better Than City Life Essay.docx
Farm life vs. City life
Farm Life and City Life
💋 Compare contrast essay city life vs country life. Country Life vs

VIDEO

Village🏕️Vs City 🌇comparison-City Life vs Village Life Comparison By Youthpahadi #shorts #Short
Urban and rural Life Essay in English
village life vs city life 😄 part 1
the rural life vs City life#foryou #rurallife
villege(गांव ) vs City(शहर)❓|#shorts
Desi Life vs City Life Tractor Vs Scorpio 😱

COMMENTS

Farm life vs. City life
The rate of crimes apart from robberies and muggings is also very low. Farm life is not driven by a mad, materialistic rush and instead the lifestyle adjusts to the pace of the people who are living it. Compare and Contrast Essay: Farm life vs. City. Differences of life in the city with life on a farm and highlights major differences.
City Life vs Country Life: Essay on Similarities and Differences
First, the essay looks at the similarities between them. Then, it reviews the difference between city life and country life. It concludes that the choice of residence depends on individual preferences. Living on a farm has been described by many people as the best experience one may have. Some say it is cheap and healthy, while others claim ...
City vs Farm: Meaning And Differences
Conclusion. After exploring the differences between city and farm life, it is clear that both have their advantages and disadvantages. City life offers convenience, cultural experiences, and job opportunities, while farm life provides a slower pace, connection with nature, and self-sufficiency.
Free Essay: Farm Life vs. City Life
Farm Life vs. City Life By comparing life between living on a farm and living in the city, there are many differences and similarities between the two. Each of these places both has something special and unique about them. The choice for a living place is very individual and depends on one's personal values. Personally I prefer the farm life ...
Similarities Between City Life and Country Life
In conclusion, the similarities between city life and country life reveal the interconnectedness of human experiences and aspirations. From the longing for meaningful connections to the pursuit of economic stability, individuals in both urban and rural settings navigate similar paths while adapting to their unique environments.
Essay on City Life Vs Village Life for Students
500+ Words Essay on City Life Vs Village Life. Village life reflects the rural lifestyle and city life shows the urban lifestyle. Life in both rural and urban areas has its own plus points and problems. One is quite different from each other. Traditionally, India is a predominantly rural country as Mahatma Gandhi had said, "The real India ...
City Life Vs Country Life Essay
City Life Vs Country Life Essay: A great many people brought into the world in the field, as a rule, discover the city alluring and engaging. Life in the city is quick and thrilling, however, it very well may be stressful while country life is loose, moderate and as a rule a pressure reliever. In the first place, the social scene is very ...
City life vs Village Life Essay for Students in English
Essay on City Life vs Village Life. The best way to enhance one's language is to practice writing in the same way. While writing the mind is pushed to think beyond its comfort zone. This sparks the creative streaks of a student allowing him to explore the various aspects of the topic. Also, writing essays improves the language hold for the ...
Similarities and differences between urban, suburban and rural
Seven-in-ten urban dwellers - vs. about half in rural areas - say it's important to them to live in a community that is racially and ethnically diverse Rural residents are far more likely than their suburban and urban counterparts to say that, as far as they know, all or most of their neighbors are the same race or ethnicity as they are ...
farm life vs city life essay
This memoir depicts Erin's experiences and life changing lessons she learns as she works year round for the notorious and well-respected Island Creek Oyster Farm. Erin will undergo a life-changing journey, where she will test her boundaries, and experience many conflicts, trials, and epiphanies. She will step out of her.
City Life vs. Country Living: Which is best? (updated: April 2024)
Less Pollution. City living can be very polluted due to all the transportation issues in a large metro area. Whereas living in the country, we love the fresh rural air and all of the outdoor space. One of the best qualities of living in the country is the air quality. There's less pollution in the air, and you can taste the difference when ...
Farm Life Vs. City Life, Sample of Essays
2 pages, 564 words. By comparing life between living on a farm and living in the city, there are many differences and similarities between the two. Each of these places both has something special and unique about them. The choice for a living place is very individual and depends on one's personal values. Personally I prefer the farm life ...
City Life vs. Village Life
City life and village life are two contrasting ways of living. City life is fast-paced, bustling, and filled with opportunities for career growth and entertainment. It offers a wide range of amenities such as shopping malls, restaurants, and cultural events. On the other hand, village life is peaceful, close-knit, and centered around nature.
City Life Vs Country Life: Compare and Contrast Essay
Many people in the country, like farmers, lead extremely busy lives. Hence, sometimes country life is also hectic like city life (Yuetter, June 27, 2018). Another similarity between country and city life is that evil like poverty can be present in any society rural as well as urban. It is meaningless that it is a country or urban area.
Essay on City Life
500+ Words Essay on City Life. City life is very busy, fast-moving and restless. All the necessary things are easily available in the city. Life is full of luxuries, and everything is within reach. The city has many things to offer, such as better job opportunities, higher living standards, medical facilities, clubs, shopping malls, stores ...
Living on a Farm vs. Living in the City
The surrounding environment between a farm and a city has vast obvious differences that tend to be overlooked at times. Farm life is best described as a peaceful and healthy way of living. You are surrounded by nature's gifts such as the animals, trees, sun, wind, natural cycles and so on. There are stresses having to do with health, wealth and ...
Farm Life vs. City Life
It is also important to a farmer on how his/her farm will succeed. The layout of the city life is much more modern in style than the farm life. Usually, the scenery in a city is of high buildings, loud, and not as green, but it does offer more conveniences. City life is better described as being at a faster pace, and having peer pressure along ...
Results Page 36 for farm life vs city life essay
351-351 (of 351) Essays - Free Essays from Bartleby | Engineering Fundamentals of the Internal Combustion Engine . i Willard W. Pulkrabek University of Wisconsin-· .. ... Essays. Topics. Writing. Essay Checker. Home Page; Research; farm life vs city life essay; farm life vs city life essay. Sort By: Page 36 of 36 - About 351 essays. Decent ...
Farm life vs city life Free Essays
Country Life vs.City Life The stimulation of crowds and traffic generate energy that challenges the human spirit. Perhaps this is why the city dwellers seem angry‚ stressed and unfriendly people. Although‚ the quietness of the country has appealed to the minds of lots of people. The countryman or woman is usually represented as calm‚ relaxed and friendly.
California Missions
The 21 California missions, listed in the order they were founded, are: 1. (1769) Mission San Diego de Alcalá. 2. (1770) Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo. 3. (1771) Mission San Antonio de ...
Native American Life at the California Missions: An Overview
An in-depth look at Native American life in the California missions. Prior to the arrival of Spanish explorers, missionaries and soldiers, human beings had occupied the territory that would later be known as Alta California for as many as 15,000 years. Important changes occurred in Native American life with the establishment of the California ...
Estate Planning in California: What is a life estate?
What is a life estate? A life estate is a conveyance which grants the life estate holder, the life tenant, the ability to live on the property for the duration of their life. This type of conveyance offers control to the donor because they can restrict the life tenant's use of the property. For example, the donor can require that (1) the life ...
FINE v. KANSAS CITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (2022)
For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law. Go to Learn About the Law. FINE v. KANSAS CITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (2022) Docket No: Case No. 2:22-cv-02071-SSS-PDx. Decided: September 14, 2022. Court: United States District Court, C.D. California.