All of my life, I lived in what some would call a "small town." Looking back at its population size, it could probably just be called a "town with an adequate amount of people, not a ton, but not like eight people and a dog." But that's too long, so we'll go with "small town."
Being from a small town, I knew half of everyone, and if I didn't know them, I knew someone related to or affiliated with them. A good portion of my classmates had generational roots there. I graduated with a grand total of 112 people in my class. If you're from a small town, you probably relate. It had all the basic qualities that you find in towns that no one has heard of.
In August, I moved out of my small town and into a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pa. so I could commute to my university.
And it was the best decision I've ever made.
Of course, there are both ups and downs to moving out of a small town.
1. Moving your whole life
I've lived there since I was 3 years old. Everything I've ever known was within the borders of that town. I know all it's nooks and crannies. I know all the good places and all the bad places. Moving to a new place wasn't like moving into a dorm. I called the dorm my home for nine months, but all of my stuff was still going to make it back to my house at the end of the year. This is different. This stuff was moving out and staying out. I'm not going to be here until the school year ends and then move back. And it's weird.
2. Friends and Family
OF COURSE, I MISS MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY! I missed them last year, too, but I could always see them during breaks and summer because I'd be coming home. Now, I have to make arrangements during my super hectic schedule, as I now have a part-time job and school and then the travel time. I can't help but feel I've been neglecting them, and I am. I've never not seen my family for longer than 2 weeks, and now I see them once a month MAYBE.
3. Does this mean I'm an adult?
Moving into your own apartment means bills and rent to pay. I've never paid a bill except for my Netflix account each month. Now I'm paying for water, gas, electric, heat, rent and more. Mom still pays my phone bill because she loves me, but it's been a reality check, and no one likes those.
"But, Lauren, I thought you said moving out of a small town was one of the best things you could've done?"
YOU'RE RIGHT, RANDOM COMMENTER, I just had to establish the negatives, first.
1. Culture Shock
This is by far my favorite thing about having moved out. Never have I experienced so much diversity living all around me. I have tried more new foods from different cultures, learned more about different religions and holidays, and have even attempted learning new languages. I've met people from cultures I'd only ever read about, it's amazing and eye-opening and I NEVER would've experienced this in my small town.
2. New people
I love meeting new people, and that's just not something you can do in a small town. Unless someone new moves there, the chances of you meeting a new person in a place you've lived for 14+ years is just high unlikely. I've made a few new friends in this place, I sort of had to, and it's made this new place feel more like home.
3. I'm an adult
I'm finally on my own, and while that's totally horrifying, it's also amazing. I'm so glad I did it. Even though I miss my mom making me dinner, my dad being a call away to pick me up from somewhere, and my friends all living within walking distance, I'm out in the "real world", and it's a pretty cool place.
