Growing up in a small town can be all good and dandy, but for me, living in a small town doesn’t really correlate with who I am now as an individual. I grew up in a small town in Iowa and then attended college in an even smaller town close by. I don’t regret the decision, but part of me wonders what it would be like to live closer to a city. There are always pros and cons that make up the place where you call your hometown.
Pro: There is little to no traffic.
I can get to my grandma’s house across town in less than eight minutes. Harvest during the fall can be one of the busiest times of the year anywhere in Iowa. Under these circumstances there is bound to be traffic due to slow moving farm equipment. Besides that, forget about rush hour or cars backed up for miles. Thank God in heaven, because I totally couldn’t deal with that nonsense.
Con: Not many activities for 20-somethings.
I personally love to wander. I could wander in a city, roaming the streets for hours just exploring my surroundings. In my small town, there isn’t anywhere to wander to, besides the nature trails that surround my house (which is a major perk to country living!). The weekend activities in my town usually amount to high school athletic events, bonfires and going to the movies. Trust me, I love movies like nobody’s business, but I like more options.
Pro: Everyone knows who you are.
After being in college for almost two years, visiting home here and there, it never fails that someone approaches me asking how I’ve been. So when you live in a small town, everyone knows who you are especially if you or your family is overly involved in the community.
Con: Downtown shopping is limited.
What girl doesn’t love to go shopping and eat some amazing food? Okay, not every girl, but the vast majority does like to dabble in shopaholic tendencies. While shopping in a small town, there can be fewer selections to choose from, compared to shopping at big city malls. My college friends say the worst thing about this is going to school in a small town; you're bound to wear the same outfit as someone else. I never had this problem — Catholic school uniforms came in handy.
Pro: Quirky traditions.
The annual Flight Breakfast is one of my absolute favorites. Every surrounding small town has one of these breakfasts at the local airports as a fundraiser. Then there are parades for the high school bands and the local orchestra holds concerts in the winter. Events like these are slightly unique to the small town in which they occur, and I love the quirkiness they have.
Con: Everything is just too familiar
Being too familiar with your surroundings is actually a real problem for some people. For me, if I get stuck in a routine of doing the same thing, seeing the same people, I get restless and just feel boxed in. Sometimes coming home it feels like I can't relax because a lot the stuff I really want to be doing, I can’t do from my hometown.
This list can be so different for everyone who reads it. I love my hometown, but it just doesn’t feel like home anymore. I can’t wait to get out into the world and make my dreams a reality. I have to thank my small town, since it’s the reason I have the confidence to get out there and experience life to the fullest.
