The most reasonable conclusion is that we are all much of a muchness now — urban where it matters, but with rural aspirations if we can afford them. A new word — 'rurban' — has been coined to describe this condition.
—David Nicholson-Lord, "To know the countryside, you must live in the city," New Statesman, May 10, 2004

They also said the college could help provide leadership and direction as Casa Grande, Coolidge and surrounding communities wrestle with the issue of their economic future.

Whether that will be rural, urban or "rurban" was open to question.
—Jane Larson, "Pinal County re-envisions its economy," The Arizona Republic, September 19, 2003

''It's kind of hard to describe this community,'' Mr. Koopmans continued. ''It's not the sort of community where you can go down to the post office and meet neighbors. It's not really urban. It's not really suburban. It's 'rurban.' We always say it won't happen here.''
—Edward A. Gargan, "Man held in slaying of 2 girls upstate," The New York Times, September 27, 1984