Small Town vs Big City

These days, most of my time is spent in the big cities. If I am not working in one, or traveling to a different one, then I am living in one of a million plus people. Growing up in a VERY small town in Southeastern New Mexico, population 3000 a few decades ago, I always dreamed of one day living in the city (in my mind, I guess I thought Hobbs was a HUGE step up!). Now, however, that the "big city dream" is a reality, I would trade most of it in a heartbeat for small town living. I guess that goes hand in hand with the saying, "Be careful what you wish for."


The advantages of living in a big city are obvious: malls (I'm not a fan of shopping), supposedly more to do: theaters, concerts, clubs; not so limited on choices. But I find more and more that those "advantages" DO NOT outweigh the disadvantages. For example: If I live in a big city, I have more choices. Yes, perhaps, but in order to choose from multiple sources, you have to drive and drive, which means wasting a LOT of time, consuming a LOT of gas, which is not cheap, if you haven't noticed, and the absolute aggravation of TRAFFIC! So, the best option is to stay home, unless it's something you really need! Another example: If I live in a big city, I'll have more friends, because there are more people to choose from. WRONG! If anything, you have less friends, unless you spend your whole existence in a bar or nightclub. People in a big city are only concerned with themselves...their own little section of the world. Therefore, they have very little time to even notice that other people exist. Another thing I am finding that I dislike about living in the city is the noise, and apartment/condo living. Just sitting here, typing this, I am inundated with noise: car after car, the city busses, sirens, and that is with the window closed, and not living on a major street. Crime, pollution, littering, the cost of living...all magnified in a big city. I find myself so overwhelmed with all that is going on around me, that I rarely get time to think or have a quiet thought.


I guess I was meant to be a small town girl. I like to hear the birds sing, I like having my own piece of land, my own part of the world, I like having a barbecue in my back yard with friends and family. I like going to the grocery store and seeing a familiar face, or even an unfamiliar face that has a smile on it! I like hearing a "hello" or "how are you doing today?" I like it when people wave at you with more than one finger, or honk their horn to say "hi" instead of honking it in anger. I like the closeness of a small town, compared to the anonimity of a big city. True, there are disadvantages to small town life: sometimes people know your business, whether you want them to or not, and once in a while you have to put up with obnoxious neighbors; but at least you know you exist! I'm ready, once again, to be more than a face in the crowd.