As someone who is originally from one of the largest cities in not just Florida but also the United States, I am often asked by the people of the small North Georgia town I now call home, what I like and dislike about living in such a different place. So here are the 3 things that I personally love and 3 things I personally hate about living in a small town.
Please keep in mind that everything I say is completely personal and my opinion. You have every right to disagree and I respect you for thinking differently. I also am not trying to directly attack the small town that I reside in as many of the things I list are common in most small towns that I have visited or talked to others about. Enjoy!
Things That I Love
1. That Safe Feeling
When I talk to other people from big cities who move to small towns like mine there is almost always something that we all agree on. There is nowhere on Earth where you can feel safer than in a town with a population less than 2000 where you know everyone, from the kids in your neighborhood to the PTA moms across town. One of my favorite activities is to go on long walks to get in some exercise and just take in the world. I the big city I am from that is more than doable considering sidewalks being everywhere and there always people around to see if something bad happens. There is just something special though about being able to walk through town and only one or two cars pass you every few minutes, each one waving, and know that just because the sun is going down doesn't mean you need to start keeping your hand in your pocket in case you need to grab your pocket knife.
2. General Accessibility
Admittedly, I have never really got into the whole "community first" way of living that many small town people have and preach about. If I need something I am still more likely to go to that big franchise market a few towns over than the tiny general store a block away. When you can walk into that little store though and know every single cashier and employee by name it is truly something special, though. You also always know that whatever it is that you need, if they have it they will get it to you. You can find that almost everywhere in small towns, from the restaurants where waiters will happily drop food off at your house and tell you recipe ideas to the mechanics shops where they might give you a discount just for being their friend. If you need something in a small town and you know the guy who has it, you're set for life.
3. Feeling of Value
Living in the big city it can be easy to feel like just a speck. You look down the street and see several thousand people sharing the block you call home. You go to any major event in your city and find that the local stadium that can seat 55,000 souls is completely full and there are 30,000 angry people outside who wanted to get in. The whole scale of city life creates a sense of unimportance for many people. In the small town, though, you always feel like something special. My heart can't help but get a special feeling when everyone around me knows exactly who I am and what I can do.
Things That I hate
1. Lack of Diversity
Small towns are great for people who think like the people in those towns. People who think differently though, they are going to have a lot of trouble. Most people in small rural towns have extremely similar viewpoints on most situations and this can lead to someone with a different viewpoint feeling like an outsider. In some cases, it can also lead to conflict when the natives of the town do not want to accept the differing ideologies of their new townsman. This feeling of alienation has definitely been present for me as I have lived in my small town and although I have been able to overcome most cultural barriers, I think I will always kinda feel like I don't belong.
2. No Change
For someone from a big city where any problem is handled almost immediately, it can be a bit frustrating to watch as little change ever happens in their small town. Such tight-knit communities do not usually welcome any changes unless it is something that is completely necessary for everyone there. It can be maddening when complaint after complaint after complaint of potholes on the town's main roads go unanswered while side streets where you come from are so smooth you could ice skate on them. Having three choices of where you want to go out for dinner can also quickly become a drag.
3. Gossip
Oh. My. Gosh. You can not sneeze in a small town without everyone in it with ears knowing within 5 minutes. There is very little privacy for anyone and this leads to rumors starting and spreading faster than the plague. Not only does everyone know exactly what is going on with your life, but if you make the wrong people upset they can turn the entire town against you with just one phone call. Say what you want about city dwellers being so untrustworthy, but there is nowhere you need to watch your back more than a small town that is always watching you.
