There are definitely pros and cons of growing up in a small town. And if you did, you can imagine all the pains and comforts that go along with it.
1. You can't leave the house without running into someone.
So you pretty much know that that one day when you're running to Safeway at ten o'clock at night, wearing pjs and looking oh-so-cute with a sloppy bun, planning on only buying a pack of cookie dough, you'll see someone. Chances are, it's someone from school that you didn't particularly want to see.
2. You can walk to at least one of your friend's houses.
Back when none of us could drive, how did you manage to see your friends when your parents are just too busy to chauffeur you around? Have no fear; your friends likely lived within a ten minute walk or bike-ride from you! You even traditionally walked all the way from your house to "central downtown" (which is really just a tiny place with like four restaurants and a Safeway). At least you got a lot of exercise?
3. A new kid in school created an uproar.
As soon as there is word of a new kid in school, EVERYONE knew within the day, and everyone wanted to get a glimpse of them. Who could it be? How will our class change? Having a class of around 300 people makes it pretty darn easy to get freaked out and super excited to have a new face around. After all, you've known the same 300 people all your life, and they're getting kind of boring.
4. You knew weird details about your teachers lives.
Since your classes were always very small, you got quickly acquainted with your teachers. Often students would end up babysitting for their teachers, or becoming best friends with them after they graduate. Chances are, you know at least one parent in this town (likely wayyyy more) who also went to this high school, and may have had the same teacher you have now.
5. By the time your senior year rolled around, you were so done.
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Going to such a small school with the same people for so many years gets boring. And now you're old enough to be bored with this town. Sure, it was great while growing up, but now you want to branch out and not be confined by the cliques in school.
6. Some sport in your town was basically a cult.
Whether it's baseball, soccer, or swimming, at some point your town completely revolves around one sport. In the summers, it is unheard of for a kid to not be participating in swimming, as it is county-wide. This also comes with a great deal of pride for your team (so much so that you decorate your car to make sure everyone knows who you swim for) and large parades celebrating all your fellow swimmers. This "rec" team is a lot more serious than most, because the final swim-meet practically shuts down your life and is all you focus on. The team that wins is always adored and hated pretty much the same amount.
7. Everything closed at 8pm.
After around 8 pm, all the stores shut down, likely because many of them are mom-and-pop shops and they want to get home to their family. So basically, once you're old enough to drive, you start to adventure into close cities that are much livelier than your tiny town.
8. There's one burger joint that everyone frequents.
Seriously, everyone goes there. You always see someone you know sitting in there, and it is definitely the happening place for preteens and teens. You hate to admit it, but when you're away you start to crave those fries and the friendly faces that accompany them.
9. Certain coffee shops and restaurants know you by name (and your order).
It may seem embarrassing, but it's really not. The guy at your local Peet's Coffee greets you with a friendly face and asks you, "The usual?" You nod and hand over the money you already had prepared, because you've been going there pretty much since you started drinking coffee – and now you're addicted. To the coffee, to the people, to the place. It's hard to go somewhere else, because you feel disloyal. When you call into that Indian restaurant you love so much, they recognize your voice and often give you a discount. You don't even have to order at your crepe place – they just start making it for you when you walk in, and sometimes they even give you a free one as a "Thank you" for your loyal service. It's kind of awesome.
10. There are probably some myths going around town.
There's that one house that you all look at and shudder when you walk by, because no one has entered or exited in years – so, naturally, people start to make up stories about who lives there. There's the house where the murderer lives (probably not...) and certain days at school designated for that one outgoing kid who just loves to wear hawaiian shirts every Thursday.
11. You just might start to miss the comforts of a small town.
Once you're out in the real world, every once in a while you yearn for the comfort of your small town. It was so safe to walk around at night, the roads were all familiar, and some of the friends you made there are incredibly special. You used to scoff at the parents who grew up in your town and then moved back, but now you kind of get it – it's so comfortable, and has memories at every corner. After all, what could beat a place that isn't completely overrun with chain restaurants and smokers and bustling people? Sometimes it's nice to know that you can just slow down a little bit and take a walk along the familiar roads, and pass by the beautiful houses, and pretty much point out who lives where.
