I’ve never lived in a town smaller than 150,000 people. True story.
When I was teaching, I lived in a large city and commuted to a town of 2,500. I adored that community and the schools and the people, but I was also glad to have the “big city” to go back to, with all its conveniences and attractions.
From the town I grew up in to the city we live in now, each place I’ve lived has just gotten bigger. Until now.
Next summer we make our move to post-residency life and that move will take us to a town of less than 15,000 people. I realize that is big compared to the little town I taught in, but for us, this is a move to small town. And I have mixed feelings about this transition.
Let me explain: I am 100% thrilled with our choice of community and job for The Hubby. There is no doubt in my mind that this is where God wants us next. Everyone we have had contact with in our new town has been warm and welcoming. And we have heard nothing but wonderful things from anyone who has lived there.
My mixed feelings come in relation to the transition from living in a city of 500,000 to living in a town of less than 15,000. One part of me is craving this smaller community, with very short commutes and no rush hour and the most gorgeous natural beauty to experience just a few minutes away from anywhere we choose to live. There are so many things I am excited about as we make this move!
Another part of me is a little nervous. I don’t know what living in a small town feels like. I’m not a big fan of the unknown. I can’t think of any specific things about which I’m worried, I just have no frame of reference for what we’re about to experience.
So I’m coming to you today. Do you live in a small town? Did you grow up in a small town? Tell me the good stuff, people.
What do you love about small towns? What do we have to look forward to with this move?
And if you’re not a fan of small town living, please move along. I’m looking for the positive today, friends. Thank you!
I'm Erin, a wife, boy mom x 3, writer, and runner in Nebraska! I'm excited to share all my favorites relating to faith, family, fashion, and fitness in this space! Enjoy! 
Growing up in a small town is the best part. Your boys will be blessed. It is not perfect, of course. But, you get that front row seat to life and because it is small, the view is not too crowded.
Living/growing up in a small town definitely has it’s pros and cons like anything else. I have lived in a town of about 8,000 since I was 4 years old besides when I went to college in a bigger city. As a teenager I always told myself I would never go back, but there’s something comforting about living in a smaller community. My church is my favorite thing in the world. I love getting to see my dear friends every week especially when life is busy. Being within walking distance of parks and feeling safe no matter what time of day/night it is is also very helpful especially with kids. So even with the cons of living in a small town (little shopping, not much eating out choices, politics, etc.) I love that I grew up in a small town and I am thankful I live here again and be raising our family in a small town. I know it’s not for everyone, but I hope your move goes well and I’m sure you all will greatly enjoy it!
While 99.99% of my life I’ve lived in the country, a farm actually, we’ve always had ties to the community you taught in! The best things: clean air, friendly folks, people always willing to help each other no matter what! At a recent wedding, a neighbor relayed what he said to his brother’s new in-laws, who admired and respected how so many neighbors showed up for the wedding and reception and congratulated not only the ones we knew, but also those from way out west! “We don’t get together every Sunday for BBQs, we don’t always take time to ‘chat’ when we meet on the road; but we always wave. We are always ready to lend a helping hand when a neighbor needs help; we drive up upon one with a flat tire or car trouble – we stop to help; our bull gets into our neighbors pasture (laughing), we know he’s in good hands and we know our neighbor isn’t going to be mad! We help get the cattle back where they belong, no matter whom they belong to”! Yes, this may be farm life, but this so relates to small community living! Don’t worry, give it to God! What joy you, Stephen and your 3 wonderful boys are going to experience! Think of what YOU can bring to the community! CELEBRATE!
i agree with Stacey. I loved growing up in a small town. I wouldn’t trade it for anything! It also gives you a great excuse to shop online!
I grew up in a small town in south central Nebraska, population 350. The best part of it – everyone knows you. While this freaks out some people, it’s really great because you see lots of folks, they know who you are, they talk with you and ask questions about what’s going on. The bad part – everyone knows you! 🙂 I think the best thing about small town living is that you learn a lot about negotiating with other people and about getting along for the long haul. In the cities I’ve lived in, I’ve had great friends, but really if they annoy you, you just get new friends. In the country, it’s different – you can’t do that. You have to learn how to get along with people and let their foibles be just that – foibles. You have to put up with the nonsense, but you get a sense of welcome, a sense of knowing that person will be around you for a long time. In essence, since you don’t have a lot of people to choose from for friends, you learn how to develop relationships that can withstand a lot.
With the right people by your side, even bad situations become manageable. And this situation sounds far from bad. I’m thinking happy thoughts for your big move!
you look forward to a more relaxed way of life, moms to get to know at school pick-up, smaller MOPS groups (to better get to know people), getting to see lots of the same kids/moms at the park or library, usually super nice librarians.
I love it!
I think for me, the thing I love most about it is the sense of community…that, “these are my people” feeling. Of course, everyone will know everything about you…and that’s good and bad…but overall, the feeling of being one, big family is just the best. I also love how my small town only has one Elementary School, one Middle School, and one High School. You start out and finish with the same people, and there’s a community identity with the school system that isn’t present in the larger city I live in now. There’s a pride that comes with being a Greenware (our school mascot), that I just love.
There are so many things 🙂
We moved to a small town 4 years ago when my two boys were 3 and almost 2. Now we have a third boy (9 months). We love it here! We live up on a mountain and only 10 minutes from the “big city” (Chattanooga) and it’s the best of both worlds. Amazing community and sweet fun things to do on our mountain but easy to go to the big shops etc. when we need to. We live on an amazing street with tons of homeschooled kids (mostly boys – yay!) and I can send my kids outside and across the street to the neighbors and not worry. It’s seriously the best. We moved from Nashville and even though we have many family and friends there, I can’t imagine leaving our sweet little town on the mountain!
How exciting! My husband and I grew up in a small town, then we moved to a big city for the first 7 years of our marriage. We are now back in our hometown (it’s grown a little) and love it. We love the closeness of it. Not having lots of traffic and the biggest event is the parades ha! We just love small towns.
Small town or big city I believe it’s all about the family and the people you surround yourself with.
Oh, friend, small town is the way to go. I grew up in a town of about 6800, but were 30 mins from the big city. Now, we live in small town (2500), but between the largest cities in our state. So I feel that I get the best of both worlds.
So, here’s my take on why small town rock (especially with boys):
1. Riding bikes. Seriously, we can get everywhere in our town on a bike. And, better even, the children can go off on their bikes to see their friends. No need to chauffeur the 9 and 11 yo (6 yo still needs me to accompany him) to the pool, to the library, to the park to play football, all on their own. Woo-hoo!
2. Sports. We are fanatics around here. Like love them. And while my kids won’t be heading to college on a sports scholarship, living in a small town affords them the opportunity to be part of the team (thinking ahead to high school).
3. Community. No need to find a niche community like the big cities have. Nope, you got it all in one spot, typically downtown. 😉 There is no greater sense of belonging than getting involved in the local community (fundraisers, non-profits, school).
We moved to our current town because my husband took a job at the school. I told him I would only be known as “the new principal’s wife” for a six months before he’d start being known as my husband.:)
It took longer than six months (two years actually), but we’ve been here 5 and really feel that we’ve made it our home.
Hope this helps.
I lived in the San Francisco bay area for 30 years then my husband and I moved our then 3 kids to a small town in Oregon. We have 5 kids now, we homeschool and nobody here thinks it’s weird. My kids are able to do all the things I wasn’t. Like ride their bikes downtown to the pharmacy where people hang out at the soda fountain. They can go places and not be afraid of people or their surroundings. Of course more than likely someone will say to me….hey I saw your boys blah blah blah….. my church has a whopping 70 people on a good day. We all know each other and check in regularly. It’s not uncommon to be given cookies someone baked for us or a box of apples from someone’s tree. I love the life here and no looking back! Good luck. The one bad thing, no target, no costco, no mall but I do have a walmart!! Who doesn’t???
My husband grew up in a small town. He liked that he was able to play a variety of sports, if he wanted. Bigger towns/cities are all about recruiting for sports. Your kids will have more opportunity to be a part of different things if they prefer. People tend to come together in smaller places. They even know one another’s names. This is my take: Wherever there is something negative, there is something positive. It’s a yin yang kind of a world we live in. You won’t have the stores to visit, and gossip may be bigger in a small town.
I’ve never had the experience to live in a small town, only the experience of visiting family. The special thing I always noticed about small towns is the tight knit community – everyone knows everyone’s business (for better or for worse).
I grew up in a small town and moved to a big city after college. I wanted nothing more at that time in my life then to get away from there and “experience real life”. I met my husband in the city and we raised our family of 4 in the suburbs, constantly wishing we could move further out into the country. I thought many times how much I wished I could give my children the experiences I grew up with in a small town. They’ve grown up differently than I did, with huge malls and lots of traffic and very few farms and hayrides and tractors and small mom & pop stores. Homeschooling was great because I was able to search out opportunities for them to go see dairy farms and apple orchards, etc. And the homeschool community was like a small town environment also. There was always someone I could ask for help when I needed it. I have such an appreciation for small towns now. The community is something only they can offer. You’ll know your neighbors and they’ll look after you and your family and a much slower pace to enjoy your children, because it goes so quickly. It will be a much easier transition than you think it will be. Enjoy the time!