La vie à la campagne est belle, mais je ne veux pas y vivre en tant que mère.

The Austrian journalist Bernadette Redl has expressed her decision not to live in the countryside despite its perceived advantages, particularly as a working mother. In an essay published by Der Standard, she outlines her reasons for preferring urban life over rural living, emphasizing the challenges of societal expectations and personal freedom in smaller communities. The piece reflects on her childhood experiences growing up in a small village, where she enjoyed the open spaces and independence of country life. However, she argues that these benefits do not necessarily translate into greater autonomy for modern working mothers. Redl describes how, during summer visits to the countryside, she often contemplates the appeal of rural living, more space, less traffic, gardens, and the ability for children to play freely outdoors. Yet, she concludes that such an environment would limit her own sense of freedom. As a working mother, she feels more accepted in Vienna, where she does not have to justify her choice to return to work after her child’s first birthday. In contrast, she notes that in rural areas, women who work are sometimes viewed with skepticism or even disdain, labeled as “business” types rather than respected professionals. She references another journalist, Frauke Suhr, whose article for Krautreporter explored similar themes. Suhr described her experience moving from Hamburg to Oldenburg, where she encountered traditional gender roles and felt out of place among stay-at-home mothers. While such stereotypes exist in cities too, Redl claims they are more prevalent in rural settings. She highlights how some women on the countryside feel compelled to conform to these norms due to limited childcare options and social pressures, which can make it difficult to balance professional ambitions with family responsibilities. For Redl, the city offers another form of freedom, the absence of constant planning required in rural areas. During the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, she found herself isolated with her infant son, struggling with loneliness and the lack of social interaction. Despite this, she could still take walks through the city, using public spaces like supermarkets and street corners to find moments of connection and distraction. These simple acts helped her cope with the isolation, reinforcing her belief that urban environments provide a unique kind of flexibility and accessibility. Her reflections underscore the tension between the romanticized image of rural life and the practical realities faced by contemporary parents. While the countryside may offer a slower pace and closer ties to nature, it also comes with unspoken expectations about gender roles and family dynamics that can conflict with the aspirations of working mothers. For Redl, the city represents a space where she can pursue both her career and her role as a parent without feeling constrained by outdated notions of what it means to be a mother. The discussion around rural versus urban living extends beyond individual choices, touching on broader societal attitudes toward work-life balance and gender equality. As more families consider relocating to the countryside for lifestyle reasons, the need to address these underlying issues becomes increasingly relevant. Whether one chooses to live in the city or the countryside ultimately depends on personal values, professional goals, and the support systems available in each setting.