Small Town USA Blog

Five Things That Are Better In Small Towns

admin — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

When thinking of moving or even visiting a small town, one often likes to have a list of things that will be better when compared to going to a big city. For one, a small town will have the benefit of having much less crowds at local attractions. When going to a big town there will always most likely be a line and many people would rather not go when the item that they wish to see is swarming with people. Second, small towns oftentimes are much friendlier due to the fact that everyone knows everyone else.Is this new to you? Catch up here Third, small towns oftentimes have better customer service in their restaurants due to the fact that they are not as busy and can pay more attention to each customer. Fourth, small towns oftentimes have a lot of arts and crafts areas that are great for men and women who like to shop and get something unique to bring home as a souvenir. Lastly, small towns are a great way to explore and learn about history. Many of the people in the town know many stories and you and your family can learn a lot about a specific region when visiting. All in all, small towns have many benefits over a large city.

What’s Better About Living In Small Towns

admin — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

A lot of people would prefer to live in a small town over anything else. There are many advantages that come along with living in a small town. Clothing, for some reason seems to be a lot cheaper in a small town. Even designer sports shoes tend to be a lot cheaper. Town people are very friendly and take a real interest in your daily life. People in small towns always have time to stop and chat. Everyone tends to know everyone, because the town is small.You end up running into the same people almost everywhere you go. Taxes also seem to be lower in smaller towns which is a real plus. You don’t ever have to worry about traveling far just to shop in a small town. You can ride your bike, or car without having to waste that much gas. You will also never have to worry about getting lost in a small town either. You do not even have to set your alarm clock, because life is a lot slower in small towns. You also will not have to worry about crime, because the crime rates are also a lot lower in small towns which is good.

Five Pastimes Perfect For Small Town Residents

admin — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Living in a small town can seem to be all but exciting, but as I find it, it can be just as good as living in some big city. My small town of choice is Mountain View, Missouri; population 2,843. Some things my grandmother and aunt have taught me I will now tell you

First, I would suggest if you live near a farm, enjoy. Build a bird house. You most likely live in a small open area where wildlife is abundant. A multilevel birdhouse would make things enjoyable when sitting outside or doing yard work. It doesnt matter if your in the city or on a farm, birds are everywhere and they would love the hospitality of a new home.

Secondly, try making a garden. Whether it be in your front yard under a window sill or in a huge garden patch outback. Pick flowers that may attract butterflies and small colorful birds. Flowers with strong scents and eyepopping color is sure to spruce up any dull moment.

If you know everyone, or close to everyone in your town gather them all together for a big picnic. Make homemade potato salad and set up an arts and crafts table for the kids. Have the kids help make and paint bird houses even.

Now if you live in a small town with farmlands, this might just work for you. Even if you don’t, who knows it could very well help you too. Every Sunday morning, gather some other people and go tot he local park for a farmers market. Make homemade pies and jams, gather vegitables, make cookies, cards, birdhouses, t-shirts anything really. Just have fun with it. Give it your own town’s touch.

Best Small Towns: North Carolina

mrice — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

There are a lot of great small towns in the US but we happen to think a lot of them are in the south. North Carolina in particular has tons of hot spots that visitors love to travel through and whether you’re just passing by or want to make a weekend of it, you really can’t go wrong when you hit up one of these small towns
Mount Airy: If you’ve ever caught a rerun of the Andy Griffith show on your Direct Star TV you’ll probably recognize Mount Airy as the fictional Mayberry. Griffith is originally from here and the town’s still got that Main Street appeal that everyone’s looking for.Brevard: It’s not tiny since there are two highly acclaimed higher educational facilities here but you’ll be hard pressed to find a more charming outpost for both camping and hiking. Nearby Sliding Rock makes for a great day trip and is fun for all ages.
Murphy: Murphy is about as far west as you can go before you hit Tennessee but this gateway to the Blue Ridge has all the appeal of a town twice its size.

Five Reasons To Love Small Town Living

admin — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

1. The school systems are better. Class rooms aren’t as crowded witch gives students more personalized instruction. There are also more personalized tutoring programs available with stronger family support. Pass rates are higher and chances of scholarships are increased through a wider range of extra curricular activities. Athletic departments are greatly encouraged by the community and include more local scholarship programs available to young athletes.

2. Crime rates are lower. The communities are smaller with fewer strangers passing threw. Neighbors try to look out for each other and work together to keeps their homes safe on a more personal level. Emergence services have faster response times with less distances to reach and lower numbers of calls. Home insurance rates cost less primarily because of better response times.

3. There’s less traffic. In a small town everything is just around the corner. You don’t have to battle the highway crowed to get anywhere. Commutes to and from work are shorter and more serene. The roads are shorter with less people on them. With less cars on the road the air is cleaner and the environment is greener.

4. The shopping is better. Everything costs less and is made with better quality. Most of the business are family owned with more hand made items and original designs. It’s the best place to go antiquing or to find a home cooked meal in a local family owned restaurant.

5. Passionate community involvement and small towns go hand in hand. The populations are small so you get to know each other on a personal level at community events. Small towns have long rich histories and are very good at celebrating it together in many ways as well as traditional holidays.

Getting To Know Your Neighbors In A Small Town

mrice — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

When we move to a new town, the first thing we want to do is get settled in. And, we want it to feel like home. Getting to know your neighbors in a small town is included in that; it’s part of settling in. A nice way of doing this is the casual “Hi” when you’re out and about, maybe planting some rose or shrubs and other gardening tasks at your new home, and your neighbor is mowing his lawn. Lift your hand in a friendly, open way and with a smile, say hello.

Another way to meet people is to take your dog on a walk down the street. Other people, your new neighbors will be just arriving home from work, or walking their dog, or tending their lawn. This is another way to get to know your neighbors, and make a habit out of it, because the more often you run in to each other, the friendlier it will be.

There is also baking a pie and bringing it over; it will just happen naturally, especially in a small town where there isn’t over-crowding and where life is still as slow, laid-back, and casual as Mr. Haney’s “Green Acres.”

Smaller Towns With Their Friendlier Faces

admin — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

What is it about smaller towns, with their friendlier faces. Is it the warmth of a smile from a stranger and a hello or other greeting that effects a change in you? It does in me. I grew up in New York City, the antithesis of a small town. There are friendly people there, but they are guarded, tending to hide their individual personalities in a larger group identity. People bustle by you, crowds of too many faces gather waiting for street lights to change color to green.
The first time I visited a small town, I felt a relaxed sense of acceptance. As long as I relaxed too and did not try to talk too fast, move too fast and bring all my New York big city attitude with me, all was well.
Being relaxed and learning to relate to folks is a good thing to master. It leads to breathing slower, taking in the scenery for longer periods of time, enjoying the pleasure of a nice day and a good home cooked style meal.
I moved to a small town. I bought a motorcycle, rented a small house on a lake and savored the lifestyle.
Yes it was quiet, but there was a city a bit more than 30 miles away if I need that kind of excitement.
Meanwhile I found friends who enjoyed the slower pleasures in a life that is more like it is supposed to be. At least for us small town folks, that is.

The Small Town Anthem

www.smalltownusablog.com — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Though he may be a big city star today, John Cougar Mellencamp is regarded nationwide as a major advocate of small town America. With humble roots in Seymour, Indiana, not only does Mellencamp understand the value of less heavily populated, close-knit communities, he is a product of it. As a result, he often champions the cause of small town citizens, giving voice, quite literally to rural dwellers across the country. In one of his more famous hits, aptly titled “Small Town,” Mellencamp pays tribute to his upbringing, the connection he developed with the lifestyle he enjoyed before moving to a bigger stage. Enjoy the very relevant, relatable lyrics, a true small town anthem if there ever was oneWell I was born in a small townAnd I live in a small townProbably die in a small townOh, those small communitiesAll my friends are so small townMy parents live in the same small townMy job is so small townProvides little opportunityEducated in a small townTaught to fear Jesus in a small townUsed to daydream in that small townAnother born romantic that’s meBut I’ve seen it all in a small townHad myself a ball in a small townMarried an L.A. doll and brought her to this small townNow she’s small town just like meNo I cannot forget where it is that I come fromI cannot forget the people who love meYeah, I can be myself here in this small townAnd people let me be just what I want to beGot nothing against a big townStill hayseed enough to sayLook who’s in the big townBut my bed is in a small townOh, and that’s good enough for meWell I was born in a small townAnd I can breathe in a small townGonna die in this small townAnd that’s probably where they’ll bury me

Lend an Ear to Small Town Living

www.smalltownusablog.com — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:26:59 +0000

There’s a lot to be said for living in a small town, but don’t just take it from us. Major influences and big time personalities have stemmed from humble beginnings, never made possible without their small town roots. How can places so often overlooked on the map make unmistakably profound marks on society at large? No one knows better than those who have made small town USA their home and office.”Football, that’s just athletics. But in the business world – doing everything – people are competing. So you need good work ethics, and I think it helped me to develop good work ethics, being in a small town.” Herschel Walker, UGA, NFL and USFL running back“There’s a lot more business out there in small town America than I ever dreamed of.” Sam Walton, founder of Walmart“A small town is a place where there’s no place to go where you shouldn’t.” Burt Bacharach, composer and conducter“It’s passionately interesting for me that the things that I learned in a small town, in a very modest home, are just the things that I believe have won the election.” Margaret Thatcher, British Prime Minister“I draw from my family and my friends and I feel like that small-town person. The achievements, the materialistic possessions have really become to mean less. They mean nothing.” Sheryl Crow, recording artist and songwriter

Why Go Small?

www.smalltownusablog.com — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 14:31:16 +0000

The trends point towards more people migrating towards the bright lights of major metropolises every year, but amid the pitter patter of feet running full throttle toward sky scraping northern stars, a much smaller group of outbound movers are relishing the refreshingly quaint alternatives smaller towns have to offer. Why would anyone want to live in a nothing-to-do small town?Saving Money Traditionally jobs and opportunity have been big city calling cards. However, many entry level jobs in big city companies barely offer enough to live off of once you factor in property values, food prices and additional taxes. Cost of living is much lower in a small town, even if earning potential is ultimately lower in the long term. While most city-dwellers rent homes and apartments, rural inhabitants often own much smaller homes and while they may not live at the height of luxury, financially it makes more sense to have something to your name than pay someone else on a monthly basis with no return whatsoever on your investment.Healthier Living According to the stereotype, there’s not much to do in a small town. In terms of bars, clubs and nightlife, this may be true, but small town recreation often offers health benefits to boot. A taste of the great outdoors goes a long way towards promoting an active lifestyle and is often ill afforded in urban areas. Hunting, fishing and cycling, just to name a few, will have you up out of bed at a reasonable hour and out in nature enjoying fresh air and exercise.A Sense of Community In the city there may be a particular jaunt or establishment at which someone will truly feel like they’re at home, once they’ve established themselves as somewhat of a regular. On the other hand, shouldn’t your home town feel like you’re at home all the time. So goes the tightly knit communities of many small towns across the country, where everyone knows your business and you wouldn’t have it any other way. Handshakes are binding contracts and people are only as good as their words. There’s nothing like knowing and trusting your neighbors, a feat hard to replicate on the larger city scale.