Pros and Cons of Living In a Small Town

If you grew up in a small town, then you may, like me, have experienced a love-hate relationship with the little hamlet where you were born.  Even though I have lived all over the country - Florida, Arizona, California, Tennessee - somehow I am always magically pulled back to the little village of 1,700 people where I'm from.  While it has its advantages, there are also some drawbacks.  After living in Los Angeles for six years and now spending more time in Iowa, here are some of the pros and cons of living in a small town I have noticed.

1. Pro: Fewer streets make it less likely for you to get lost
    Con:  If you do get lost, everyone knows about it

2. Pro: No police helicopters flying over your house at night waking you up
    Con:  It's so quiet here you can hear wild animals mating

3. Pro: Less smog increases your chance of growing a successful garden
    Con: In'N Out Burger is a three day drive away

4.  Pro: It's an easy walk to the post office
    Con:  You will spend forty-five minutes at the post office because you run into someone you know

5. Pro: No traffic jams
    Con:  People here don't drive fast because there's nothing to hurry for

6.  Pro:  People are less likely to judge you based on appearances
    Con:  Having fewer reasons to worry about your appearances causes you not to think twice before eating the cream cheese-based dessert

7.  Pro:  You are less likely get hit on by sleaze balls at the bar because everyone is watching
     Con:  You are distantly related to most of the eligible men in town

8. Pro:  Less smog makes it easier to breathe
    Con:  More manure smells make you not want to breathe

9. Pro:  People are more friendly
    Con: People are so friendly they would walk through your front door without knocking if you didn't keep it locked

10. Pro:  You know who your neighbors are
      Con:  Your neighbors know who YOU are

There you have it, a quick list of pros and cons of living in a small town.  In all seriousness, I am grateful of the experience of living in a place where I know my neighbors and where the streets are safe.  I would recommend everyone live pop. less than 2,000 for some length of time because it can definitely change your viewpoint of the world.  What about you?  Have you ever lived in a small town?  Do you live in one now?  Which of these pros and cons do you agree with?

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