Do people romanticize rural and urban life from the perspective of the other? Is there a deeper underlying manipulation in this narrative?

I've noticed an interesting dynamic between people living in villages and those living in cities. City people often romanticize life in the village, praising its simplicity, connection to nature, and peacefulness. They often express a desire to leave the fast-paced city life behind and experience this idyllic rural lifestyle. On the other hand, villagers often talk about how the city is polluted and noisy, while they enjoy the calm and quiet of their rural surroundings.

However, I can't help but wonder if this is more than just genuine preference. Could it be that the narrative of rural life being better is influenced by city people in a way that keeps villagers from aspiring to more? It almost seems like a form of manipulation where the rich, or those living in developed urban areas, perpetuate the idea that wealth and city life bring only stress, while rural life is pure and fulfilling.

Is this a genuine sentiment, or are some aspects of rural life romanticized to prevent people from aspiring for more, like how we often hear that being poor can be "happier" than being wealthy? Does wealth and city life really mean sacrificing quality of life, or can it actually improve it significantly?

I’m curious to hear your opinions—whether you live in a city or a village, how do you truly feel about these perspectives? Which lifestyle do you think is better, and do you think the grass is always greener on the other side?