I was raised in a tiny town located in southwestern Pennsylvania. The surrounding landscape features rolling hills, farmland and cracked country roads with some of the worst potholes you've ever seen. Although I've lived in downtown Pittsburgh for the past three years or so while attending university, I've moved back home for summer break. It always hits me just how different life at home is from life in the city. Here are some pros and cons of moving back to a rural community.
Pro: an abundance of home-cooked meals.
There's nothing I miss more while I'm at school than my mom's cooking. In my humble opinion, she could be a gourmet chef. Don't get me wrong, I love the variety of foods offered around the city (especially in the Strip District), but I always look forward to whatever my mom's gonna cook up next.
Con: there's literally nothing to do.
Okay, this might be an exaggeration. There are some things to do, like reconnecting with high school friends, catching a movie at the drive-in or spending a couple hours at the wave pool in Robinson, but unless you prefer to spend most of your days just chilling at home... You're probably going to miss the excitement of the city at some point. At least, I do. I've never been a fan of mudding or hunting, which are two popular activities that a lot of people from my town adore. In Pittsburgh, there are museums (the Warhol is my favorite), clubs, coffee shops and more. But luckily...
Pro: home actually isn't that far away from the city.
Mine isn't, anyway. I live about 25 miles outside of the city, so it's only a 35-45 minute drive to get there depending on the amount of traffic. And if you're not feeling like driving yourself, there are always bus stops and the T that offer transportation to and from downtown. Whenever I'm feeling some Pittsburgh withdrawal, a few friends and I will make a trip into the city for the day. It's pretty easy to do.
Con: reception for cellphones and wifi are terrible.
This is a ridiculously first-world problem. I guess I've just been spoiled by the full four bars of wifi on my phone and the fact that messages rarely fail and have to be resent in the city. In the country, it feels like I'm Harry Potter crashing into the wall that Dobby has placed a spell on so I can't get to Platform 9 3/4. Everything takes forever to load out here.
Pro: you're *probably not going to get harassed on the street.
In the city, there are hoards of people walking the streets and a hefty chunk of them are creeps. *Of course it still happens in more rural areas, but at least in my experience, you're not as likely to get catcalled by some crusty weirdo who looks like they haven't showered in three weeks.
Con: it takes a while for home to feel like home again.
This feeling doesn't last for long, but it does take a while to settle back into old routines and habits. After spending so much time in an apartment or dorm to the point where you started to view that place as a second home, it's bizarre to just up and leave it. For a while, it's like you don't know what to do with yourself at home.
