The good and bad of living in a SMALL town
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Introduction
Our town population is approximately 1500 souls. Well, mostly souls.... a couple are questionable!
1
It's quiet. A good AND bad thing.
In the summer.... you can't move for people. In the winter, you can play a game of road hockey in the middle of the main street and not have to move for cars. there is no happy medium.
2
Everyone knows your business.
Shit.. half the time they know your business BEFORE you do!! This part pisses me off!!
3
Lock your doors!
No, not really. Most people do now..... prescription drug abuse is bad in the province now... but 5 years ago it was almost unheard of!
I can go for dinner downtown, go grocery shopping AND visit people while leaving the car doors unlocked and the keys in the ignition.
Do THAT in a city!
I can go for dinner downtown, go grocery shopping AND visit people while leaving the car doors unlocked and the keys in the ignition.
Do THAT in a city!
4
EVERYONE knows you.
This part sucks too. It's hard to have a conversation when you have no clue who's talking to you. It's worse for me because everyone knows me from my bands and my take out restaurant.
I meet a lot of people in the summer... but I can't remember names for shit.
I meet a lot of people in the summer... but I can't remember names for shit.
5
No entertainment.
A small town means no activities for the most part. Unless you go to church.....
We have a tiny "movie theater". It's actually a theater with a large screen hanging down over the stage. The sound is wretched.
We also have only 1 watering hole besides the Algonquin ($5 per beer...hardly!)
and I hate bars unless I'm being paid to be there ( ie: with the band)
The golf course, although nice, ain't happening either at $100 per round.
That's about it.
We have a tiny "movie theater". It's actually a theater with a large screen hanging down over the stage. The sound is wretched.
We also have only 1 watering hole besides the Algonquin ($5 per beer...hardly!)
and I hate bars unless I'm being paid to be there ( ie: with the band)
The golf course, although nice, ain't happening either at $100 per round.
That's about it.
6
Stupid regional bylaws.
There are some wacky town bylaws around here. This will be it's own list eventually.
7
The cops know who you are, what you do and where you are going.
It is what it is. You bug no one, they leave you alone. It's a good system.
Not town cops, we get the R.C.M.P. for our policing duties.
Not town cops, we get the R.C.M.P. for our policing duties.
8
It's never hard to find anyone.
Being in a small area, just drive around real quick or ask someone at the convenience store.... odds are you will find them.
A Purolator Courier guy had to ask the Ambulance crew he saw where I lived because he couldn't find my street (it isn't marked for shit!).
They knew immediately where I was and how to get there. The convienience store was his next stop for directions... and he would have gotten them there too!
A Purolator Courier guy had to ask the Ambulance crew he saw where I lived because he couldn't find my street (it isn't marked for shit!).
They knew immediately where I was and how to get there. The convienience store was his next stop for directions... and he would have gotten them there too!
9
1 gas station.
and it closes at 11 p.m.
10
1 grocery store.
Yup.... selection!
just out of curiosity, why do you live in said town? are you from there? job opportunity? life opportunity? family?
i'm from a tiny town too. they intrigue me.
and i have a similar list:
http://www.onmylist.com/category/personal/growing_up_in_smalltown_usa_
1
i'm from a tiny town too. they intrigue me.
and i have a similar list:
http://www.onmylist.com/category/personal/growing_up_in_smalltown_usa_
1
Great list!
http://www.onmylist.com/category/personal/Places_to_live_and_grow_1> As per the above list I'm from a city; moved to Kelly's small town (husband got transferred) - CULTURE SHOCK!!
However, raising my kids in a small town was wonderful; not only did we have the advantages of security, people knowing and watching out for them there is something to be said for every kids being a big fish in a small pond. AND, in small town, middle America I could be a stay at home Mom. Best thing I've ever done or ever will do.
Two stories: Yep, everyone knows you - and your kid. I went to get gas and Jerry the station owner who's station was on the corner by the HS came over and said, "I see your kid drive by" I'm thinking, OH S**T, what's he done? and Jerry said, "He always stops and doesn't speed". NICE! Rest in Peace, Jerry.
Talk about not knowing names; my Dad managed three bowling alleys in Phx when I was growing up, very nice, new ones. A lot of people knew him from their league bowling when he would "man the mike" and make comments and jokes about the bowlers. Then we would be out and about (even Disney Land and San Diego) and people would come up and talk to him like they were his best friends; however, he wouldn't take the time to introduce his family. This went on for years; my Mom finally got mad one day and asked why he never introduced her??!! He said, "because when he sees them at his work they have their name on their shirts and without the name he doesn't know who they are, but he has to act like he does for the business." They got a big laugh out of that :~)
http://www.onmylist.com/category/personal/Places_to_live_and_grow_1
However, raising my kids in a small town was wonderful; not only did we have the advantages of security, people knowing and watching out for them there is something to be said for every kids being a big fish in a small pond. AND, in small town, middle America I could be a stay at home Mom. Best thing I've ever done or ever will do.
Two stories: Yep, everyone knows you - and your kid. I went to get gas and Jerry the station owner who's station was on the corner by the HS came over and said, "I see your kid drive by" I'm thinking, OH S**T, what's he done? and Jerry said, "He always stops and doesn't speed". NICE! Rest in Peace, Jerry.
Talk about not knowing names; my Dad managed three bowling alleys in Phx when I was growing up, very nice, new ones. A lot of people knew him from their league bowling when he would "man the mike" and make comments and jokes about the bowlers. Then we would be out and about (even Disney Land and San Diego) and people would come up and talk to him like they were his best friends; however, he wouldn't take the time to introduce his family. This went on for years; my Mom finally got mad one day and asked why he never introduced her??!! He said, "because when he sees them at his work they have their name on their shirts and without the name he doesn't know who they are, but he has to act like he does for the business." They got a big laugh out of that :~)
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