The Germans' new "love of the country" is unmistakable - and not just since the Corona pandemic. For some time now, country life has been convincing not only with low real estate prices but also with plenty of space, proximity to nature, more retreats for children and, above all, the social community. In the countryside, the farmer next door sometimes pulls the car out of the mud and delivers fresh milk or eggs. Less noise, crowds and crime are not only attractive for families.

Young people also often return home after training and studying in the city. Nevertheless, rural life has a lot of catching up to do. This takes time and costs money. Some buildings are empty, unused and often in need of renovation. The heat transition could exacerbate the problem. However, if such older houses are renovated, it can enliven a village. There are already enough construction sites with the lack of fast internet lines, motorway connections, bus connections and railway lines. Even the cheap Deutschlandticket will hardly fix that.

What is needed are new living concepts for young and old, for locals and newcomers from the big city. It is true that long-established residents are afraid of the influx from abroad and from cities. But in view of the ageing population, even in rural areas, no village should do without growth. Those who move to the countryside accept some deficits, but fortunately still experience quite a contrast to city life. After all, rural regions are rightly scoring points with this.