Growing up in a town of 4,000 people, I know the challenges small-town folk experience all too well. Most high-schoolers can't wait to leave for college and put their small town problems behind them; I was one of them.
After distancing myself from my hometown for a couple years, I found myself searching for everything I was so ready to get away from. Here are eight things, good and bad, that happen when you leave your small town for city life.
1. The total of five stop lights you had turned into 15.
I'm not sure how many times I tried to turn the wrong way down a one-way street. I've also learned that you cannot just walk across the street whenever you feel like it, people do get angry and will honk. Sometimes, I'm not even sure if they're going to stop.
2. Everyone knew everyone at home, but not anymore.
When you move from a small town to a bigger city, you no longer spend hours at the grocery store talking to every friend's parent, siblings, and grandparents that you run into, walking down the sidewalk is no longer a social event, and going to sporting events alone means going alone- your 20 closest friends aren't there to greet you with open arms.
3. "I'm from Illinois." "Oh, you mean Chicago?"
NO! Believe it or not, there is more to the Prairie State than just Chicago. I swear I can't even spit out I-L-L out of my mouth before someone brings the Windy City. My hometown is nothing like Chicago and its suburbs, and that is completely okay.
4. People don't understand the joys of bonfires.
What else is there to do in your small town during the summer besides have a fire and chill with your friends? Right next to nothing. These treasured moments give you some of the best memories you've ever had, ranking nostalgically right next to all the bonfires you've traded for college bars.
5. Speaking of bars, there are a lot more in the city than there were at home.
This may be on the sunnier side of moving away from a small town. When you want to go out there will always be a bar or five blasting your favorite jams, and you can always find a willing soul to accompany you on your late-night outings.
6. Petty drama disappears.
Nobody dies famous in a big city.. Except celebrities, they always die famous.
7. You crave your hometown favorites.
There will always be that one restaurant in your hometown that can't be replaced no matter how big the city. I guess you could call me a pizza-snob now.
8. You miss your small town friends.
Have I met some awesome friends and even best friends after moving away? Absolutely. Did I forget about the best friends I grew up with? Absolutely not. The friends I started with in kindergarten and graduated high school with will forever be my 'day ones.' They're the only other friends that understand what growing up in your town of 4,000 people really means.
Get out, explore, and live in a new city, but never forget where you can from, what it's given you, and the welcome arms it welcomes you home with.
