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City dwellers may look down on small town America and wonder what a small town could possibly have to offer. What is there to see and do? Why choose to live out in the middle of nowhere? But there are as many reasons, that tempt people to live in small town America rather than move to the big city.

Location is often a prime factor that keeps people in small town America. For those who want to live away  from the hustle and bustle of city life, the country has a special appeal to it. So rather than rushing through traffic or running to catch a train during the busy commuting times, many prefer to live far away from the city in a small town where they live and work. Living in the country can cut the stress from commuting through heavy traffic to get to work each day.

Small town America often gives people an opportunity to live on a larger size lot with a front and back garden. Residents therefore have more freedom to plant flowers, fruit and vegetables. They can also set up swings and a slide for their children, if they so choose. City dwellers cannot even claim a slab of concrete outside their home as their own a lot of the time, as they are more likely to be squashed tightly into small apartments.

Living in a small town in America gives people a chance to get to know their neighbours more easily. With a population of 5,000 or less, it is quite likely that you will be running into the same people again and again. City dwellers who visit small towns will be surprised to see people greeting one another and holding conversations with people they meet in the street, supermarket, health food shop and pharmacy. People know one another and this can help to create a tighter sense of community, that is hard to find in a large city where many people would rather maintain their anonymity.

Some small town dwellers still feel safe enough to leave their doors, windows and doors unlocked, especially if their town is not known for its high crime rate. Relative safety can make people more trusting of others. But of course, that does not mean to say that small town America is crime free. It is actually refreshing to see people welcoming strangers to their town, rather than treating everyone they meet with suspicion.

People who are on a limited income and cannot afford to move to a large city, can usually live more cheaply in a small town. Food, clothing, fuel, and house prices are lower, which makes small town living more affordable. Rather than having to live in apartment blocks or surrounded by other homes, many small town residents can live further away from their other neighbours, which gives them more seclusion and privacy.

Small towns are not without “things to see and do”. Depending on where you go, you can visit nearby national parks and forests and go hiking, fishing, skiing, hunting, cycling around trails, and kayaking. Small towns also have inside attractions such as museums and art galleries, so they are not entirely without “culture”.

Living in a small town certainly has its benefits and that is why many people would much rather choose small town America over overcrowded, polluted, crime filled cities.

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