4 Benefits of Small Town Living in Modern Times

Just like the families featured on the new TV series “Moving Country,” many modern Americans are trading in the hustle and bustle of the city for a more relaxing life in the country. Read on to discover some of the reasons so many people are calling small towns home.

There are No Parking and Traffic Hassles

A simple trip to the supermarket is enough to make many city drivers break out in a cold sweat. They know the traffic will be bumper to bumper, and they’ll have to fight for a parking space once they reach their destination. They’ll also probably be slugged with a hefty parking fee before they leave.

The residents of small towns don’t have any of these car concerns. They’ll have an easy drive to their local stores and snag a prime parking position without paying a cent.

The lack of traffic is also ideal for children, because they can safely ride their bikes and play on the sidewalk. That, in turn, gives small town parents real peace of mind.

You’ll Get to Know Your Neighbors

Less than half of city dwellers know their neighbors’ names, but in small towns people are likely to know not just their neighbors, but the folks who live a few streets down, the bank clerk, the mail carrier, and many more friendly faces. The residents of small towns tend to feel the sense of community that more than a quarter of urbanites say they crave.

If you’re sick or need help, the residents of your small town are likely there to lend a hand. They’ll also be there to celebrate your triumphs. They say that it takes a village to raise a child, and you’ll find just that in America’s small towns.

You’ll Support Your Local Community

According to American Express, the company behind Small Business Saturday, Americans want to support small businesses because they create jobs at home, pay taxes in the local community, and make the neighborhood more unique. Many Americans struggle to support these businesses though because they’re squeezed out by national and international corporations.

In a small town, every shopping day is Small Business Saturday. It’s not profitable for the big businesses to set up shop in rural communities, so small-time retailers fill the gaps. This means locals can shop knowing their money stays in their community. They also tend to enjoy more unusual goods that haven’t been mass-produced. That makes small towns some of the best places to live if you love quirky homewares and apparel.

You Can Enjoy Wide Open Spaces

Small towns are some of America’s most beautiful places. The streets are tree-lined and have plenty of parks and fields for picnics, football games, and playing with your dog. Those natural features bring plenty of native animals, birds, and reptiles that your children will love discovering. While city dwellers have to go on vacation to get back to nature, small town residents have its beauty all around them.

If you find the fast pace of city life is getting you down, perhaps it’s time to join the many American families escaping the urban jungle and enjoying the benefits of small town living.