Many people have been feeling the allure of small-town living recently, while many others ridicule the idea of living in a small town. While it is easy to dismiss small-town living right off the bat, it is harder to do so when you look at the benefits you can gain from living in a small town. If you have been pondering the idea of moving to a small town or simply wondering what the benefits are, look no further. Below are the top 5 reasons you might want to try small-town living.
1 – Lower Cost of Living
Big cities are seeing more and more people get frustrated with the cost of living. Prices of houses and rent keep going up with some states and large cities having an average home price of $550,000. With home prices ever increasing along with gas, and grocery costs many people are questioning whether or not it is worth it to live in the city.
Small-town living’s number one benefit is the low cost of living associated with them. House prices are often much cheaper than their city counterparts and often boast more square footage and larger yards for those who want space for themselves, their animals, or children. Small towns offer more opportunities for first-time home buyers and those who are looking for bigger homes and yards that don’t break the bank.
2 – Safety
Big cities are known to have high rates of crime. Even cities that are deemed or seen as “safe” have large crime numbers. While not every small town has lower crime rates than the big city it is a very safe generalization to say that small towns have less crime. The reason for this is that in small communities people often take the time to get to know their neighbors and look out for each other. Neighborhood watches, community groups, and a police force that is free to help the community help keep crime low.
3 – Nature
In the big city, there are often parks and hiking trails that you may have access to. The only problem is that those resources are used by everyone in the area. This often leads to parks and trails being overcrowded and not giving off the peaceful nature tones they were designed for. In small towns not only is it incredibly easy to access nature but you also have the opportunity to do so without being surrounded by others. Many small towns are built near forests, rivers, lakes, or farmland and offer many activities such as:
- Hunting
- Fishing
- Boating
- Rafting
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Rockhounding
- Foraging
- Nature photography
Also, living in small towns gives you ample opportunity to let your dog run free and explore as much as it wants.
4 – Local Arts & Culture
People that label small towns as boring obviously haven’t spent very long in them. Small towns over the United States have unique cultures that relate to how they were founded, and who they were founded by. Oftentimes these towns take time to celebrate their heritage and it turns into a whole-town affair. Other small towns will also include unique art festivals or attractions that become tradition such as:
- Rockland, Maine – Maine Lobster Festival
- Ashland, Oregon – Shakespeare Festival
- Santa Rosa, California – Sonoma County Harvest Fair
- Sun Valley, Ketchum, and Hailey, Idaho – Trailing of the Sheep Festival
If the above festivals sound fun it’s because they are! These small-town festivals have garnered national attention and are an integral part of their towns.
5 – Staying Connected
In a big city, it is easy to get lost in the mix and feel like you don’t know what is going on in local news, or politics. In a small town not only are you able to stay in the loop with what is going on but it is very easy to get involved as well! In small towns, everyone gets the opportunity to get involved as much as they want to! This could be as easy as volunteering at the local library or school, joining the volunteer firefighters that keep the town safe, or even getting involved in politics! In small towns, it is easy to stay connected and in the loop with what is going on.
Are You Sold on Small Town Living?
If the reasons listed above have you considering moving to a small town then do your research! There are countless small towns across the United States and probably some in your own neck of the woods that would be a great place to move.
The first step in your search should have you identifying where you want to move to and then teaming up with a realtor that can help you explore your options. The best realtors in small towns are the people who live there much like this team who could help you find homes for sale in Shelley, Idaho. They know the town and can help you find what you are looking for.
