The Rise of Urban Escape: Millennials and Gen X Embrace Regenerative Living and Permaculture
In a growing trend, fueled by a desire for a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle, an increasing number of Millennials and older Gen X individuals (broadly 23-44 years old) are fleeing the rising expenses of urban areas and embracing the countryside. They seek refuge from the stress of skyrocketing housing costs and price-gouged groceries, finding connection to nature, growing their own food, and focusing on quality of life, all while continuing their remote jobs through permaculture and homesteading.
“As more people recognize the benefits of an urban escape, organizations and communities are emerging to support and facilitate this lifestyle transition. We’ve been noticing the trends across social media of people being fed up with trying to create a future in the city, combined with an interest in permaculture workshops, regenerative living, and farm-sharing initiatives, all of which are gaining popularity,” says James R.C. Smith, Social Media Strategist at Verge Permaculture.
The movement towards an urban escape is driven by the need to save money, prioritize mental well-being, and find harmony with the natural world, investing in a regenerative and more resilient future. April Jordan, Communications Manager at 5th World, explains, “Learning how to grow their own food and design their yard or land in a self-sufficient way helps people decrease their cost of living, sometimes for life. My family lived like that for generations and it’s exciting to be able to pass that on to more people.”
Millennials and Gen Xers, in particular, are increasingly valuing experiences over material possessions and seeking a more fulfilling lifestyle. This is leading to a rising trend of exploring alternative living arrangements such as building homestead homes, spending time on farms, and incorporating permaculture practices into their daily lives.
Ann Marie Gardner, Founder and Editor of Modern Farmer Magazine, highlights this trend in a New Yorker article titled “Read It and Reap – Modern Farmer and the back-to-the-land moment.” According to Gardner, Modern Farmer is less a magazine than an emblem of “an international lifestyle brand.” This is the lifestyle of people who want to “eat food with a better backstory,” including aspirational farmers, hobby farmers, intern farmers, student farmers, and idlers in cubicles searching for cheap farmland and chicken fences. Gardner calls them Rurbanistas, a term she started using after hearing the Spanish word rurbanismo, which describes the migration from the city to the countryside. Rurbanistas typify the Modern Farmer audience, having a foot in both rural and urban worlds.
It’s not just the younger generation from the Western world who are getting back to their roots. In Japan, Daisuke Yamanaka is pushing for a rural return with a business-minded mix of hospitality and agricultural innovation. In a feature in Monocle Magazine, Yamanaka writes, “We want to make Japanese agriculture sustainable.” His ambitious approach has won him even more support in the area. “It’s really inspiring that they’re trying to do everything: planning, farming, and distributing,” says farmer Takashi Kominami. “We are happy to see young people like him entering the industry,” adds another farmer, Kenichi Igarashi.
Closer to home, Verge Permaculture has been teaching online, live Permaculture Design Courses (PDC) that provide more than just the theory behind how to turn a home or piece of land into a more resilient and useful property. They offer tools and bespoke instruction on water harvesting and management, soil regeneration, food forests, and the confidence to take the next steps.
“We’re witnessing a cultural shift among younger generations. They are prioritizing their well-being and seeking alternatives to the high-stress and higher-priced urban lifestyle. Embracing regenerative living and permaculture allows them to find balance and fulfillment,” says Rob Avis, Co-Founder of Verge Permaculture. Katlin Robinson, Director of Education at Verge Permaculture, adds, “The trend of moving to the countryside and building homestead homes reflects a desire for a deeper connection to nature and a longing for a simpler, more self-sufficient life.”
Verge Permaculture, now Verge From 5th World, was founded by Rob and Michelle Avis. It offers practical and useful educational courses for permaculture design and sustainability, with a focus on hands-on application and regenerative practices. Verge Permaculture empowers individuals to create resilient systems that promote ecological health and abundance.