I don't see what's so hard about living in a city. When I'm hungry, I eat. When I'm cold, I put the heating on. When I'm lonely I go out and meet with friends. When I need entertaining I go to the cinema or theatre. When I want a walk in the countryside I get on a train and go there. Beats getting up at 3am to milk 200 cows or whatever it is they get up to in those fields! Stephen Grindle, London

Country life is underestimated by a lot of people. Fantastic scenery, fresh air and a real sense of tradition and community make living in the countryside a thrill not to be missed. However, I believe that the only cause of mental illness is craving this lifestyle. When people from a town visit the countryside, they see such a stark, pleasant contrast that they are bound to have some resentment. I don't believe that the actual lifestyles affect mental health, it's just knowing that there is a better life out there. Richard Scotney, North Ferriby

Living in the country in a sparsely populated area (Northern New Hampshire, USA) was great for my aunt, who loved it. When I visited her, however, a trip to the local post office and store were the highlights of my day. I am a city person who glories in the museums, galleries, cinema, theatre and general buzz of a big city. Although I enjoyed watching the birds, chipmunks and the views (which were stunning) and I loved my auntie very much, I was always counting the days when I'd be back in town. Lovely for a change of pace, but I couldn't live there. Carlyle Braden, Croydon

Living in the country fills your time more than living in an urban area. By the time you've chopped logs and brought in the coal (due to lack of gas), stoked the Aga and lit the woodburner you feel invigorated. No instant heat from a switch. You just do not have time to feel sorry for yourself. People who live in urban areas and live by switching on appliances have to fill their time with entertainment and go to gyms for exercise. Fill your life with hard work and you will live forever. Anne Brown, Wimborne

I believe two things - first, than many illnesses are related to stress. Secondly, that there are two types of people - money rich/time poor, and time rich/money poor. Those in the towns are, from my observations, more likely to be the former and lead a stressful life. Mental deterioration, in my opinion, is going to be more likely in this category than a time rich/money poor individual who doesn't spend every waking minute trying to seal the deal or earn a bonus, just because everyone else in their office is doing so. Neil Christie, near London

London is a jungle! Of course, if you can afford a decent property in one of the more salubrious areas it is slightly less stressful but if your home is in Brixton, Kilburn, Peckham or some other neglected place, it is a jungle. Even areas such as Orpington, Hampstead and Bromley have their problems once nightfall descends. Like many other people, I avoid groups of youths, crossing the road if necessary. I keep my door locked from early evening, interrogate any callers under the glare of harsh, security lighting, lock the doors of my car as soon as I get into it and regularly listen to complaints from neighbours or friends who have had scary experiences. Small communities will always be safer and more peaceful than large cities but it is an indictment of the authorities that London has deteriorated to the extent that now exists. Tom Edwards, Bromley

Living in towns or rural depends on the state of mind of the individual. I have lived in both and both can be stressful and at the same time have a calming effect. It is not the area that is the problem but the state of mind one is in at the time of any disrupting influences. Glenn Renshaw, Newbury

It takes me just over five minutes to get to work, with not a traffic light in sight. Not spending an hour-and-a-half sitting in queues or on a crowded train twice a day does wonders for mental peace. I am happier that my children are not being subjected to the challenges of city-living and pollution and are freer to play outside, breathe fresh air and have easy access to healthy activities. Sarah Hague, Monttpelier, France

I'm one of many who live in the suburbs but commute to the smoke, and I have to say that although I detest London with a passion, local jobs are few and far between as well as being low paid, so I am forced to spend the best part of four hours a day travelling to and from work. We're actually in the process of moving further out in order to escape the urban sprawl, crime and filth that is endemic in the "burbs", but I'm sure the added commute will only contribute to the stress that moving out is supposed to alleviate. Steve Lee, Gillingham

The country comes out tops every time. I only spent three years of my life enduring an urban environment, Cambridge to be precise (and at that time one of the top ten polluted cities in Britain), and I hated virtually every minute of it. One adapts one's life to the minor inconveniences of deep rural existence. Shopping is honed down to a once-a-week, one-hour job in the local town (10 km distant). The snail mail, such as there is nowadays, is deliverd at lunchtime by our cheerful postman. But the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Our petrol bill is miniscule. We grow over 50 per cent of all our own vegetables (and they don't half taste good, too!). Natural background sounds reign supreme. The infrequent passage of the infernal combustion engine on wheels is a rude intrusion. Tele-working in the publishing industry, as I do, one is not immune from the pressures of deadlines and suchlike, but working alone in a tranquil environment, with plenty of space to swing a cat or two, helps infinitely. Mike Bent, Oviedo, Spain

I loved living in the country. However, lack of public transport, the cost of living and very poor salaries in Devon meant that we were unable to stay. Living in London doesn't make me feel stressed as the article claims it should. The country is peaceful and cosy, but has limited social and cultural life, so unless you like pubs there isn't much to do at night. I believe your mental health is dictated by much more than where you live. Sarah Marquis, London

Of course city people are more likely to report mental illness - but that's simply because of the greater focus on such issues amongst urban populations. The fashion of seeking counselling has not yet reached the rural areas, and as such those living there are not programmed to automatically turn to a psychiatrist, instead sorting out their problems in the more natural environment of friends and family. That friend and family structure, coupled with the slower pace of life, is the best remedy for most mental illnesses (apart from the most serious, of course). Dominic Graham de Montrose, London

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