Small towns are often under-appreciated when it comes to choosing where to live. Many people opt to live in cities, or properly in the country, but few consider the benefits of living in a small town. Regardless of your age, small towns can be little bits of heaven. Children will benefit from the close knit community, teenagers are generally safer as they are away from city crime, and older people can enjoy the peace and quiet. Small towns have something for everyone! Check out the benefits below to see why you should consider small town life.
Lower Cost of Living
One of the deciding factors for many people when it comes to choosing where to live is the cost of living. In cities, the price of buying or renting a house is significantly higher than the cost of the same in small towns. Due to the high demand for city housing, landlords can afford to hike up their prices. In a small town, you are likely to get much better value for your money than you are in a city.
Close-Knit Community
Undeniably, one of the many benefits of living in a small town is the sense of the community you can find there. Familiarity with the locals develops over time, and you may find yourself becoming much more involved in the community than you might expect. Though cities are filled with people, it can often be hard to develop lasting connections, as the pace of life in cities is quite fast. In smaller towns you may have less anonymity, and therefore a reduced sense of loneliness.
Less Crime
Small town obviously have a much lower population than cities, meaning that the crime rate is also lower. Residents of small towns are often quite familiar with each other, as well as the general happenings around the town, so getting away with a crime unseen is a lot more difficult. Of course, this is not to say that there is no crime in small towns – nowhere is perfect – but the fact is that the likelihood of you or your family being victims of a crime is much lower than it would be if you lived in a city.
Slower Pace
Stress is one of the leading health issues in society today. Living in a small town is an opportunity to slow things down. Life can be stressful, regardless of who you are or what your job is, so add living in a big city to that stress and you’ll get a sense of how much easier you can take things if you live in a small town. With fewer people and smaller buildings, small town life gives you the chance to look around and appreciate some of the most beautiful things in life – people and scenery!
Less Traffic and Pollution
With fewer people comes less traffic. Cities can become congested with cars, and although there is still some traffic and congestion in small towns, it is nowhere near as hectic. Sitting in traffic in a city often induces stress and anger, usually directed at those who are in the same situation. Instead of spending time stewing in frustration, you can spend your drive appreciating the pace and simplicity of small town life.
From a health point of view, small towns are better for you than cities. Due to reduced traffic, and therefore reduced air pollution, you can treat your lungs to beautiful fresh air in a small town. There is also significantly less light pollution, so you can even spend your nights star-gazing at the beautiful night sky!
Mental Health
In a study conducted in 2010 by Dutch researchers, it was found that people who live in cities are 11% more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders and 39% more likely to suffer from mood disorders than people who live in small towns and other rural locations. According to the National Institute of Health, rural residents spend more time outdoors every day compared to their urban counterparts.
Independent Businesses
Small towns are full of independent businesses that rely on the local community for support, and in turn can offer their services on a first name basis! You may feel better about supporting small businesses, locally run, than you would about giving your money to larger chains and brands, who often do not provide the same sense of intimacy and familiarity. Not to mention that the produce you can find from your local greengrocer or butcher is of a much better quality than in your standard supermarket chain.
Employment
Employment is not always easily available in small towns due to fewer businesses, but for the very same reason there is better job security. Also, fewer people means that employers place a greater value on their employees, and generally prefer to keep an employee than have an unfilled position for a prolonged period.
Sleep
Unlike cities, small towns do not stay awake at night. The likelihood of getting a 3am pizza delivered to your door is certainly lower than in a city, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. With the slower pace and empty streets at night, you may well find it a lot easier and even more enjoyable to sleep at night in a small town than you would elsewhere.
If you’re considering a change to your lifestyle, it is certainly worth considering moving to a small town. The benefits mentioned above are just a few of the advantages. Every day you may discover little things that will make you glad you decided to move.
