It's no secret that living in a small town is a different than living in a city or a suburb. The countryside has its perks -- quiet, plenty of personal space, less air and light pollution -- but, as with all things, there are some downsides. This list could go on for quite a while, but here are just a handful of #relatable things anyone who lives in a small town will understand.
#1: If you want to get anywhere on time, you often have to account for “tractor time.”
It happens all the time. You can get stuck behind the farm equipment for miles, and they all move at about two miles per hour.
#2: There’s never anything to do.
"Want to walk to the bridge again?"
"No, we did that yesterday."
"Want to get food from the gas station again?"
"We just did that earlier."
"Want to sit on the couch and watch TV, then?"
"...sure."
#3: You know everybody, and you pretty much know everybody’s business.
...of course, that also means everybody else knows your business. Word travels fast.
#4: Stopping in the school bus to let cows cross the road.
This takes a while, too. But cows are adorable, so it's okay.
#5: You get used to the smell of, um, livestock.
Phew! Are they spreading the fields already?
#6: Your school doesn't really have the money to do anything.
We didn't have enough money to retain the music program or drama club, but strangely enough there was still enough in the budget to buy the football team new jerseys every year.
#7: Fireworks or gunshots?
Is it hunting season? No? It was probably still a gunshot.
#8: Election season is...interesting.
Signs like this...everywhere.
#9: "Where do you live?" *gives the name of a major city, three landmarks, and body of water*
Chances are you've driven through it and didn't even know it.
#10: If you go to a get-together in the summer, chances are it’s going to involve a barbecue or a bonfire...or both.
And the bonfire usually ends up looking something like this.
#11: You spend your high school years waiting to just get out and go somewhere better (i.e., bigger, or different).
On the day you leave for college, wave goodbye as the only main street with one traffic light gets smaller and smaller in the rear view mirror.
#12: Being in that other place made you homesick, but after spending just five minutes back home you remember that you still don't want to stay there forever.
Did you really miss it, or were you just feeling nostalgic? Probably the second one.
man running in forestPhoto by 
