Small town living
By creematee
@creematee (2810)
United States
August 28, 2007 9:31am CST
I'm just writing to tell you how much I love living in a small town! I grew up in a town with only 800 or so people. I had only 16 kids (yes, that is NOT a typo!) in my graduating class. Everyone knew everybody. If someone was sick, everyone did what they could to help out the family. It didn't matter who you were, but people stopped to chat, or at least wave to you when you were driving by.
Then, I went to college, and all that changed. Granted, My college town wasn't that big. I was told NOT to wave at passersby, because who knows what they will do... shoot you, jump out of the car and start a fight, or what. Every night that I went to bed, I would hear ambulance sirens from the local hospital. This really disturbed me.
When my hubby and I got married we lived in various size towns. The one we live in now, is by far my favorite. It reminds me so much of home. This town is a little bigger, but still people aren't afraid to stop and say hello. They aren't afraid to wave at you as you drive by. They rally around people who are sick or in need.
So, anyway, that's my small town story. I'm so happy to be hear, and wish I could convince everyone to move to a small town. (guess they wouldn't be so small, would they?)
Where do you live? Can you tell me about it? What are some things you enjoy about where you live.
7 people like this
19 responses
@applecartronnie (1984)
• India
28 Aug 07
this is an amazing life style i would say. makes me feel like shifting to a village in india which i have always thought about. the afternoon sun, the evening free breeze, people known to each other, but nothing like you told in your writing. that was amazing. there is so much niceness and a feeling of real existance which is so wonderful , very much like a real story book. amazing, thats all i can say.
happy living always, apple.
2 people like this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
28 Aug 07
Have you ever heard of the story the Country Mouse and the City Mouse? It's about two mice, one from the country and one from the city. Both desire to be in each other's homes, but once there, they miss their home dearly. I think that is why city life never appealed to me.
Of course, you can always give it a try. Come to the US and visit. The rural Iowa hospitality would love to have you!!!
1 person likes this
@applecartronnie (1984)
• India
28 Aug 07
i know what you mean, but believe me i am a country mouse. i love that howdee thing and all the chivalry that i have always seen in movies and know from people who have lived in their country homes. i even like country music lol.
i just love that warmth.
thankyou so very much for your niceness and asking me to visit the place, i will one day, it is one of my dreams to visit US and it will come true one day i know. thankyou so much for your sweetness.
always here, country apple.lol.
1 person likes this
@naty1941 (2336)
• United States
28 Aug 07
I live in a small town and there is nothing to do. We have on movie theater, one casino, one bowling alley. The only swimming poot is in the High School. I am used to the big city but find that living in a small town has it's advantages. The schools are better and there is less crime.
2 people like this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
28 Aug 07
I agree with you on that part, Naty! There really isn't a whole lot to do here. Fortunately, we live close enough to a BIGGER town that has the theater, shopping center, etc. I hate having to drive and go anywhere, but I still wouldn't trade it. :)
1 person likes this
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
29 Aug 07
For me, living in a small town might be difficult. There were 500 students in my high school graduating class.
I've never been afraid to wave at passersby, or anything like that. Although people usually don't wave unless they know the person.
My parents have neighbours with whom they socialize, and if my parents' alarm goes off, they will come out and check. I can stop by my parents place and take 15 minutes to get into the house because I'm chatting with a neighbour.
It is easier if you live in a suburb and if you live there for a really long time.
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
30 Aug 07
That's a lot of kids on one class! :) I don't think we even have that many in the whole school system.
It's what you are used to. The whole city mouse/country mouse thing. If I had to live in a city, a suburb would be my first choice. It's nice that your parents have people around them that look after them. It's still kind of a small town feeling. :)
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
28 Aug 07
The town I live in isn't exactly tiny, but it's not huge either. The population is around 6500. So it's still small enough that everybody pretty much knows everybody else, and most of the residents were either born and raised here, or moved here a long time ago. My hubby is one of those that was born and raised here, so I've gotten to meet quite a lot of people that he knows. It's really an awesome place to live. Sure, some of the gangs have tried to move in, but we have such an awesome police force that they have ended up moving right back out again. I used to live in a fairly big city when I was growing up, and even at that time in the downtown area, people had to roll up their car windows, lock the doors, and drive through as fast as possible without getting stopped just to make it to their destinations safely. I couldn't see myself in a city again. I like my small town living too much.
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
28 Aug 07
I am glad to meet a convert. LOL!!!6500 isn't a bad size. We used tolive in a town about that big. Big enough for stuff to do, but still small enough for a bit of privacy! I liked the fact, too, there were city parks EVERYWHERE! The kids had a choice where they wanted to play that day. :)
1 person likes this
@samtaylorskykierajen (7977)
• Canada
29 Aug 07
I live in a small town and agree there are benefits to living in a small town but there are downfalls as well . Because we live in such a small area we pay a lot more then someone from the city would pay as we have no compition , everyone knows everyone so well that they feel they can talk about each other and add their own part to the story often hurting people because you always have these busy bodies who stick their nose where it doesn't belong . There is no privacy as you walk down the road and you always run into somone you know and although this can be nice sometimes it would be nice just to be invisible . Although I do agree that between a city and the area we are in now , I would stick with the area I am in now as it is safe for our children and you don't hear of any of the crimes you hear about in the cities .
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
30 Aug 07
I think this is the part I loke most about the small town living. The security. I do agree that privacy would be nice, eventually, DH and I are planning to buy an acerage outside of town. Just for that aspect. Well, and we both would like to have a little land under our feet! :)
@sumofalltears (3988)
• United States
28 Aug 07
Small towns rock. I have always lived in a small town, but never as small as 800. Small here is under 30,000 and spread out over a large area. But still it is better than city living by far.
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
28 Aug 07
Hee hee! That's pretty large for me! We used to live in Cedar Rapids, IA where the population was just under 3 million. I knew it was big, but didn't think it was THAT big! The last "town" we lived in had over 8,000 people in it. That was big enough for me. Too big to walk to the post office or grocery store. There was plenty to do, though, so I didn't mind it too much. That would probably be as big as I could go. LOL!
Nashua, where we live now, has about 1600 people. That's just perfect for me! Guess I'll stay put for a while. :)
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
5 Sep 07
No, it's Nashua, IA. New Hampshire is our sister city, however. The founder of this town actually came from Nashua, NH. :) So, we are still kind of neighbors. LOL!
I'm waving at you, can you see me?
@sumofalltears (3988)
• United States
30 Aug 07
If that is Nashua NH we are practically neighbors...:}
@pink_sox (263)
• Australia
29 Aug 07
I was brought up in a small country town and hated it. Why? Because everyone was subject to small town gossip. I found it real disturbing, even at the age of 16 horrible things where getting said about me. Why should anyone have to put up with that? I also fond that everyone new everyones business. I know live in the city and love it. I can walk down the street and not see anyone I know, so when I just want to be alone I can do that.
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
30 Aug 07
I do agree that town gossip is a drag. I have learned to try to avoid it as much as possible. A friend of mine has the quote, "Thank you for making me the center of your universe to talk about me, even when I'm not there."
I'm kind of like that. Just water off a duck's back. LOL!
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
29 Aug 07
That was a wonderful stroll along your memory lane. it felt great!! I have always lived in one of the metros and have seen fast life where ppl are running, running and running, with no time for small small things in life. These small things actually make what we are and my grandparents have instilled the feeling of thoughtfulness all through my chldhood. My parents grew up in country side and even today they show their feels and hospitality os small town. i just love it. So when kids insist on Dcs, video games, PS , i still fancy the radio and FM.
Thank you.
@creematee (2810)
• United States
30 Aug 07
I fancy the radio and FM as well! I'm glad I could make you smile. :)
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
29 Aug 07
i like living to a small town...quieter than the city..and as you said everyone knows anyone..right now im living in the city.. but not at the heart of it..but i think 5 kilometeres from the center of the city..i only know my neighbors at least 3 to 4 houses from our house the rest is unknown to me..
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
31 Aug 07
yes im getting used to it..coz when im still single i really dont mingle with neighbors on my spare time since i hardly none(time) lol..im always busy school and everything...and i think its just me ..when im home i spend my spare time doing something there and if someone comes thats the time i entertained them and stopped what im doing..i love it anyway...in living in the city you really dont know anyone since they are preoccupied of their own thing..its how it works i guess..no its not dangerous if you have applied precaution on your doorlocks or something..
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
30 Aug 07
It's definately what you get used to, isn't it? I have lived in areas where I didn't even know my neighbors, and that kind of scared me. Silly? I suppose so. Everyone was so caught up in their own business, they didn't care about what other people were doing.
Do you like where you are living now? Do the neighbors seem friendly? :)
1 person likes this
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
28 Aug 07
I hope you don't mind me disagreeing with you, please don't take it personally! I grew up in a mid-size town and loved it. I moved, 13 years ago, to the small town in which I currently live. It is simply terrible. Now, part of my disgust may not be directly related to the size of the town, rather the backwardness of it! However, I find with the smalltown living, everyone knows everything about everybody and makes it their business! There is a lot of smalltown politics and 'good 'ole boy' problems with law enforcement and every other realm of life. If one knows the right people, life is good. If not, life is not good. I hate to be that blunt, but that has been my observations. Luckily, we (hubby and I) have friends through the small college at which we teach. I see the disparity of the two groups (know the right people and those who do not know the right people) daily in dealing with my students. It is horrible. One can go to church and because they are in 'God's house' people will speak. Later in the same day, if you are working in your yard and they walk by, foreget it...they will not speak for any reason. REally, really strange. Maybe all small towns aren't like this one. ..I sure hope not! Sounds like you have had much better luck in your small town living!
1 person likes this
@creematee (2810)
• United States
28 Aug 07
No offence taken, crazynurse! Like the answer I gave to apple above, it's the city mouse/country mouse theory! :) One of my good friends grew up in Chicago and always thinks that is the way of life for her. I applaud her, I visit her, but I sure don't want to live there.
Yes, the small town politics are always going to be there. I've seen it in my hometown, and I see it here. (so & so's kids will ALWAYS be on the starting line-up for sports-whether they can play or not, etc.) It's just one of those things you get used to.
I have found some small towns to be difficult to "outsiders." Our first house was in a small town, and we lived there for about 3 years. It wasn't until we put the "for sale" sign in the front yard that the neighbors came and introduced themselves to us.
I guess it's where you live and if you are happy that is the most important thing.
@meemingNEW (2226)
• Philippines
29 Aug 07
Wow.. Living in a small town really feels like your home, safe and just happy. I have never experienced living in a small town such as yours and I so envy you. I can just imagine myself living in a small town where I can just walk and stroll in the park .. The place is not that crowded nor even dirty.. How I wish.. how i wish.. Ever since a little child, I have lived in the city wherein I got used to traffic lights, cars, and all the noise. I can even remember the time when I really wished that I could live in somewhere else that is quiet and peaceful. But I think it is just not possible for me since my family lives in the city, works in the city.. :(
@creematee (2810)
• United States
30 Aug 07
Well, meeming, you would always be welcome to visit me. We'd love to have you! :) It may drive you crazy with all the quiet, and how DARK the nights get. I know some city dwellers that have never seen the stars, because the city lights are so bright.
@Nardz13 (5055)
• New Zealand
29 Aug 07
Hi there. The town you live in, sounds a little like the town we live in, and grew up in... We've lived in the city previously as well and couldnt stand it, noisey and too much negativity... We moved back to our small beach town, where the people are friendly, sirens you dont often hear, and everyone knows everyone, eveyone knows whos children belong to who, and everyone looks out for each other and does what they can to help out the next... We love where we grew up and we love raising our children here too...
@creematee (2810)
• United States
30 Aug 07
It's a great feeling, KNOWING your kids are safe walking around outside, isn't it? I'm glad you are happy and that your children will benefit from the small town lifestyle that you did! :)
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
22 Oct 07
I know the town you live in..it's not far from me. I also grew up in a small town and we had 38 in my class and it was the biggest class to ever graduate from my home town! Where I live is just a little bigger but it was a great place to raise a family. It's a beautiful town and calm and peaceful for the most part.
@creematee (2810)
• United States
23 Oct 07
Thank you Jill. Yes, I know where you are now, too. It is a great "city." Maybe someday, I'll get back up that direction, and we'll get to meet. Wouldn't that be fun? :)
I hope you have a great day.
@sictstarsky (66)
• China
29 Aug 07
First ,I want to say is the situation is different in different country.
My hometown is a small village in east of China,a developing country with high speed as you know,but I live in a middle city,the population of which is 4 million or much more.
When copare the two place I lived and living,I can find many difference and simlar point.
@creematee (2810)
• United States
30 Aug 07
Thank you for your response, sictstarsky! There are so many differences between small towns, citys, and big cities. I think even the differences in areas is remarkable. (Western Iowa vs. the east side.) I'm sure the Chinese way of life is considerably different from mine.
Is there something that you prefer of the city to the rural area? If you had to choose, which would you like to live in?
@loved1 (5328)
• United States
28 Aug 07
I live in a town of about 2200 people. Most of the people have lived here for a long time, and just as you were describing, everyone knows everyone else. I had 65 people in my graduating class and I think I went to kindergarten with most of them! I really like small town living too, but I can sympathize with Crazy Nurse. It does get tiresome when everyone knows your business (or thinks they do) and likes to gossip about it. I figure as long as I have nothing to hide, I am not going to let that stop me from enjoying small town living.
@creematee (2810)
• United States
28 Aug 07
Hi loved1! I haven't seen you around for a while. Maybe you were making something for the town to gossip about! LOL!
I agree with crazynusre too with the politics and cr@p that goes along with small town living. I do really enjoy the people here, though, and I don't think I could ever go back to the "big city" life again!
@mikeyr6000le (2123)
• United States
28 Aug 07
I grew up in asmall town too. I think there is about 500-600 here at the most. In my graduating class there was 56 and we only had that many because we had to consolidate with the towns around us or have our school closed down.
Then I moved to a collage town and it was so much better. I could walk to any store I needed to or take my bike. My old town didn't have anything except a gas station. We had to drive 15 miles if we wanted anything or 30 miles if we needed anything good.
The school system in the small town was a joke. If you wanted to do anything or be anything you had to get out. It had the basics and that was it. Small towns are getting smaller and someday they'll be gone. They either need to grow to survive or they'll dry up and die.
@creematee (2810)
• United States
30 Aug 07
I understand about consolidating schools. We shared sports with other school, just to have enough players on a team! My class was the last one to graduate from my high school. It seems so sad. The other town we shared with had so much more to offer. It became a win-win for both of our towns.
Traveling, too, is discouraging, I will agree on that one too. Although, I have to laugh at a good friend of mine who lives in Chicago. She always said that if she wants to go somewhere, it's only 45 min. away! Well, here, it is, too, only it's COUNTRY miles, instead of congested city miles! LOL!
@kelly60 (4547)
• United States
29 Aug 07
I have always lived in a small town. There were 30 of us in my graduating class. The entire town, plus a couple of other small towns nearby attended one school. There are two schools in the entire county, and for years they have been talking about combining them into one larger school for entire county.
I really enjoy the small town living. I don't like traffic, or crowds. I do wish that there something constructive for the kids to do though. There really isn't much of anything in the entire county.
@creematee (2810)
• United States
30 Aug 07
Thanks Kelly!
I'm thinking like you... it would be nice for the kids to have something, AND to keep them in town. Our town has a lake with a beach area, bike path, a couple parks, and a skate park. The area businesses are always ralling to get involved. (we have "Town Night" once a month in the summer, corn dayz, Dam Days, and other things like this)
I suppose it's up to people like you and me to speak up at town meetings, and make suggestions and plans to make things like this happen. Another beauty in the small town, people often feel the same way! :)
@wondericequeen (7876)
• Hong Kong
29 Aug 07
I am the exactly opposite. I was born and raised in a cosmopolitan city - Hong Kong and it's really crowded. When you look at the map, we are just a tiny dot, but we have 7million population and I would say everyday is a really crowded day for us. If we go somewhere and we don't see anyone, that would be WEIRD. And I have traveled to some small town before and it was just so different. I love it around here, I love the convenience and the busy life around here but I am not sure if I would stay here forever. Sometimes I think it would be nice to move to somewhere more quiet and with less population.
@creematee (2810)
• United States
30 Aug 07
I am glad that you like your lifestyle. I agree the convenience would be wonderful! It's what we get used to, I guess.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
28 Aug 07
growing up my family lived in a very very small town and it was great. There were 2 schools. One was for 1st and 2nd grade. The other was a two room school that held grades 3 thru six. After that we got bussed to the city for school which was a difficult adjustment. You brought back some great memories. I live in a city now and I like it but I do miss the community spirit that exists only in the small towns.
@creematee (2810)
• United States
28 Aug 07
Your avatar is beautiful, sid! I love the luna moth!!
I am glad that you have those sweet memories. I only hope my children learn to love their hometown as much as I do.
I talked to my mom a bit about when she went to school, and she went to a 1 room school house, before the school building was built in town. When it was built, it house k-12 grades! It wasn't a very big building, so you can imagine how small the town was back then. She, too, thought it odd to be bussed to town for school.
