In spite of all these disadvantages, many inhabitants love their cities and cannot imagine themselves living in the country.

What about living in the country? In Poland it has never been easy. Even today it is not very comfortable. Of course a lot has changed. People have built new houses, new roads and buildings. The different between the city and the country is gradually disappearing. However, villages do not become cities. The rural character is preserved although the living conditions have been improved.

Nowadays the development in agriculture is quickly progressing. The new houses, school or culture clubs also indicate that something has changed for the better. Before the war, living in the country was quite different. On huge estates there were manor houses surrounded by primitive villagers’ cottages. The peasants had to work hard in the fields and they were paid little money. Very often children had to work together with their parents and their education was totally neglected. In many villagers there were no schools, electricity and gas. All this, of course, belongs to the past.

Now most people live in comfortable and well - equipped houses. The air and water are clean and they may grow fruit and vegetables. The main disadvantage, however, is the shortage of health centres, shops, cinemas and clubs. Many local libraries have been closed recently because of the lack of money. Another problem is unemployment. Many people who used to work on big state farms suddenly lost their jobs. Most of them do not have enough money to buy some land or to start their own business.

To solve these problems, wise political decisions should be taken. Only in this way living in the country could become easier and better.