When I tell people I'm from New York, I often get asked why I would move to Chicago. Then, of course, I explain to them that I'm from a town of 1,800, and I graduated with 58 other people. Then, they immediately claim to understand. It's like there's this weird stigma that everyone who grows up in a small town must hate their lives and immediately want to get out, but that's not necessarily true.
Sure, I didn't love it all the time, so I moved away. There are advantages to living in the third-biggest city in the country. But there are definitely things I miss. So here are the pros and cons of moving from a small town to a big city:
1. Street noise.
Pros: When you're laying in bed on a lazy Saturday morning and you hear sirens, honking, and voices right outside your window, it can feel a little bit like you're the star of some cliche coming-of-age film. And it's awesome to know that there's an entire world to explore right outside your doorstep.
Con: At 7 a.m., the sound of a dump truck picking up and wildly shaking the dumpster loses its charm.
2. Apartment life.
Pros: Vending machines, a gym, someone else getting rid of your trash for you, mail INSIDE the building, need I say more?
Cons: You're not the only one trying to use the washing machines. You can't hear the rain on your rooftop when you're on the middle floor of a building. Also, loud neighbors.
3. Anonymity.
Pros: Say something weird a little too loud on the train? Embarrass yourself on a date? Good news! You never have to see those people or anyone they know again.
Cons: It can sometimes feel like you're just another face in the crowd. When you grew up in a place where everyone knew your name at every turn, you sometimes miss the familiarity of it all.
4. Dogs, dogs and more dogs.
Pro: Seriously. Everyone walks their dogs here. All of them are yours for the viewing and sometimes, petting.
Con: None of them are yours, because you live in an apartment and, seriously, where did these people find the money for a building downtown that allows dogs?
5. New friends.
Pros: Cities allow you to meet more people, and those people can help you become a better version of yourself.
Cons: You can't be near your old friends, who have known you since you were little. Skype isn't the same.
6. Lots of professors.
Pros: Know that one professor who gives three quizzes a week? Don't worry, there are three other professors who teach the exact same class!
Cons: In a small town, teachers get to know you. Some of my teachers knew me since I was a baby because they grew up in my town, and went to my high school. The ones who didn't taught me for three or four years straight, and knew me like I was their kid. I miss that sometimes.
7. Food.
Pro: There are 10 options for food, at least, within a two-minute walk from my door. Back home, I could walk to one of two pizza shops, and it took about 20 minutes.
Con: Why would you ever want to cook when there are thousands of food options on your doorstep?
8. Public transit.
Pro: You can go anywhere you want without a car.
Con: What would be a 10-minute drive can take up to an hour.
9. Service apps actually work.
Pros: Grubhub, Uber, AmazonNow, you name it. They all work here.
Cons: If everything can be delivered, why would you ever want to do anything yourself?
10. More things to do.
Pros: There's always a concert, festival, parade, or something going on. When there isn't, there are plenty of unfamiliar neighborhoods and quirky shops to explore.
Cons: You start to take advantage of how much is going on all the time, and don't do enough of it. In a small town, on the rare occasion something happens, everyone's there. Events lose their excitement in that way. And sometimes, you just need a Walmart. (Seriously, why don't these places have Walmart?)
11. Family visits.
Pros: Whether you're going home or welcoming guests, seeing family becomes more special because it's so rare. And, when you do get to talk, you waste less time fighting than you used to.
Con: I think this one's obvious.
Whether you grew up in a small town or a big city, whether you choose to stay or move, you can't knock either way of living. Because there's someone that loves knowing all of their neighbors' names, and someone else who loves living in a building with 400 strangers. There's a place out there for everyone, and you'll never find yours unless you try it.
