We used to live in a very small country town - village. We only had a pub, post office & primary school with 12 kids.
There are kids that at 7 & 8 do ride their bikes where ever they want in town & have alot of freedom, but I would still be a bit strict with my DD. I don't like my kids out of the house unless it's all opened up so I can hear them. I'd prefer it if I was out there too.
But then we did have a scare last year. They were outside for 5 minutes & dissappeared.
They went exploring down at the creek behind our house. They were 2 & 5.
That scared the crap out of me.
If we move back there I might be able to let DD1 have a bit of freedom in a year or two, but I'd still have to know where she's going.
She wouldn't be able to have free reign like the other kids do. As unfair as that is to her.