Tips on Moving From a Big City to a Small Town
In the first place, you’re the envy of many people, excluding the ones who are crazy. Small town life is better suited for human beings. We were not meant to be crammed into 20-story skyscrapers that are less like apartments than filing cabinets for people. We were not meant to spend three hours per day in traffic. We shouldn’t have to smoke cigarettes just to clean the smog out of our lungs.
Like breaking a bad habit, it will take some time before you lose your big-city ways and settle down with the locals. The locals can tell that you’re from the big city. They can’t miss it. They see the way you hug the walls and dart everywhere, speak only when spoken to, and drive your car like you stole it. You’re either from the big city or seriously antisocial.
Your tempo of life will be exceptionally out of place the first year. This is because the big city has no tempo of life. It has a frenzy. The small town has a tempo, and it will gradually make itself known to you. It will come out in the way the postman gets to your door just before sunset, the stores all close by suppertime, and every driver on the road gives you the right of way. They’ll gently nudge you into their way of thinking when they surprise you by remembering your name the next time you walk in the store, and indeed by caring what it was in the first place.
Just after you’ve moved to a small town is the best time to take some vacation from work. Give yourself a reason to sleep in a couple of mornings, then just tour around the town and take your time getting to know it. You won’t have your potentially hectic job getting in your way, so you’ll be able to relax. You’ll also have a couple of nights to sit up in bed wondering what that sound is. Oh… it’s crickets.
Big cities make you a little paranoid, and it will take some time for that twitchy reaction reflex to go away. You no longer need a crowbar to defend yourself from beggars and panhandlers in front of the store. Look around and notice the lack of graffiti and vandalism. Start your day with the local TV news; where before you got to hear an endless stream of shootings, robberies, and kidnappings, now a water main breaks in the town’s only park – and it’s the story of the day!
Shopping will be a pinch. Businesses in small towns tend to be limited in options and to close early. This is a good time to brush up on your online buying, since the Internet gives you so much more variety. But look for quirky little shops that you wouldn’t find in a big city; for there lives the soul of a small town. Be ready for a slower pace on shopping day. The clerk will be talkative and candid, and any locals you bump into there will be going on about the weather like they’ve never seen it before.
Where do they have the fun in this town? Well, fun is what you make of it. If you’re single, you’re going to have a tough time of it. Small towns are for families, where you have the kids running around so much that boredom is a welcome relief, and where mum and dad make their own recreation after the kids are in bed. Don’t miss the community attractions, though – go see that World’s Largest Ball of Twine and get your picture taken next to the giant plaster Mexican Tyrannosaurus Rex wearing the sombrero outside the tacquieria. Spot some trains, chase a kangaroo, and go fishing for trout. Isn’t that what you came for?
Don’t worry, the natives know that they have a boring life, and they compensate. That’s where all the goofy pumpkin-bowling contests and line-dancing nights come from. If there is a bar within city limits, it will be infected with the karaoke virus. Getting so drunk that you can’t control your singing used to be just something annoying that people did, but now it has a name and they charge extra on the drinks for those nights and there’s a club to join for it. It got popular because it turned out to be a great way for 40-year-old singles to hook up. It’s easy to find a date when you’re all at someplace that’s guaranteed to be stocked with people who have nothing better to do at the moment.
Just know that once you’ve adjusted to small town life, you can’t go back to the large city again. You’ve culled yourself from the herd. You’ll just take off walking across an intersection forgetting that you can get flattened by the next SUV driven by the Starbucks-addict on her cell phone. You’ll greet a stranger on the street and his response will be to mug you. And you’ll never be able to sleep there, because you’re used to not sharing a wall with neighbors. No, it’s too chancy to risk. Just stay in the small town circuit and let the rest of the world drive each other crazy.
Jack Olikon
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/tips-on-moving-from-a-big-city-to-a-small-town-707804.html
Moving from large city to small town…. tips on small town etiquette??
I am moving from a very very large city to a small town. I am worried that how I will offend someone somehow. You never bump into the same person twice in a large city, but a small town… everyone knows your name and what you do. I want to fit in and not offend anyone… does anyone have any small town etiquette tips or websites??
i did the opposite, in small cities people are friendly, just say hi if they say hi, smile and people should like you
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There is no privacy in a small town. Most young people try to escape from the oppressive atmosphere of a small town. Are you sure that you are not making a mistake? People in small towns tend to be full of prejudices (because they are not familiar with the world’s diversity), they tend to be more judgmental and narrow-minded.
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Just use common sense and not be rude or insulting. Small town people are usually pretty friendly and it’s infectious. You’ll get the hang of it, but after a few months, you’re going to miss the conveniences of the big city.
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Just moved from big – small a couple months ago. I miss my Olive Garden and nice steakhouses, but not the rude, inconsiderate people.
Try not to hang out in local bars too much. People talk and make up things as local entertainment. Don’t reveal too much about your personal life or problems because it will be discussed with everyone they talk to and will probably be misquoted. The town I live in has one post office, two bars, one restaurant, sheriffs office, library, and two stores. That’s pretty small. Maybe yours will be bigger. Gossip is the main complaint I have in a small town. They seem to think they know you when they don’t have a clue.
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Everyone will know your business, and some won’t be shy to ask.
– When someone offers to help you, let them. Then say thank you.
– When someone needs help, help them.
– Go to church.
– If you have kids, be very involved in PTA, Booster Clubs, etc.
Enjoy!
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When you see people & you happen to make eye contact, smile at them & say hi. If you are coming to a door & there is someone behind you, but not too far behind, hold the door open for them. There isn’t really anything that you have to worry about. Just be polite & you’ll be just fine.
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It depends, if your moving to a very small community everyone should know right away that your new. Try to get to know everyone. If you make one friend you’ll get a lot more friends fast. If it’s a suburb, where you don’t know everyone, then send your new neighbors a greeting card telling them who you are, what you do, where you now live, and send a greeting that automatically says "I’ll try to be a great neighbor and friend" or something of that sort.
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yep hi is a good way or wave at people you dont know too…. just follow your nose…
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I have spent the entire 30 years of my life living in very small, country "towns" ( actually considered "villages"..lol)
anyway, whatever the normal behavior in public and city attitude you have always been exposed to or know as the "norm"..DO THE OPPOSITE!!!
trust me, I am in no way trying to sound or be rude..but from experience, please do not bring the city with you…it really is a different lifestyle..if we wanted the city "lifestyle" or "attitude", we would not be living in our small, rural communities..
Just remember your manners and treat others how you want to be treated, and you will be fine..
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Keep your personal business personal. Never say anything in public unless you are ready to hear it again, not by you. I moved to a mountain community of 25000 from a suburb of L.A. Choose your new friends carefully, people you can trust and count on in an emergency. Treat everyone the way you would like to be treated. Most folks in smaller cities are friendlier and will always say "Hi" to each other,whether they know you or not. There is also much gossip so remember-mind your own business and don’t talk bad about anyone and you will fit right in.
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Big Bear Ca. contractor
I moved from a big northern city to a small southern town. My best advice — keep your mouth shut like a steel trap. If someone ticks you off, complain over the phone to someone five states away; but never, ever, complain to anyone in town. If someone tells you gossip, just let it go out the other ear. People will try to drag you into their drama and every small town has some sort of division — rich/poor, black/white, smith’s/joneses, etc…
Plus, the person you may confide in knows someone who knows someone. Don’t trust ANYONE for at least the first year or so, until you can be certain where people’s alliances lie.
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This is stuff I wish I would’ve known three years ago when I moved!
Don’t try and act like you are better then them or a know-it-all.
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Be very respectful and polite. Smile a lot, talk to kids, hold babies and ask about a cute pet whenever you see one. Small towns can be very tricky and since you are new…it will be hard for you to figure where someone’s loyalties rest. So, until you know someone for sure, do not gossip about another. People in small towns like to help and offer advice… so even if you know it already.. just ask for help while picking fruit or an old recipe or just directions.
you seem to be a considerate person in that you are taking time and effort to learn about adjusting to small town folks. you will be fine. dont worry. good luck !
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raised in a small town.
Angie B. knows what she is talking about. I agree with everything that she is saying.
There is going to be a name or two maybe three that seem like they run the whole town. Like the Smiths or Jones’, what ever their name is…there is gonna be a whole lotta of ‘em. And they will own allot of property around too.
Usually these kinds of people will be on the city council, the boosters (high school pep club for adults), or driving the school bus or delivering the mail. And will have thier kids or thier nieces and nephews working all over town.
Don’t think that just because someone has a different last name that they all aren’t related…because they are. It’s just by marriage that the last name gets lost.
And whatever you do, do not talk bad about ANYBODY. Even if there are a few around you that are having potty mouth by talking about someone. Do not join in. Don’t get caught up in the moment. All it takes is one little word out of your mouth to be ‘rumored’ all over town that you have a nasty opinion about whoever they were talking about.
The best way to find your niche in a small town is to just listen. ALLOT. The more you talk, the less you listen.
And then thre is gonna be the snoopers. Usually there is only a few and they hang together. Stay away from these as politely as possible.
If you have a car make sure that you have a locking gas cap. Kids siphoning gas is about the only problem that you are gonna have as far as thieving goes.
If you have a dog. Make sure that he or she doesn’t stray into other peoples yards. Small town people are real sticklers about their yards. There is even a contest in our tiny town every year to give small cash rewards to the best Christmas light display.
In every small town there is the crazy person, the old maid, the stoners, the church goers and the town Ho’s (male or female or both).
And there is gonna be some older person that has binoculars and pretty much knows what all is going on but isn’t a gossiper. They just ‘know’ things. Too many things.
It’s like you are moving into a redneck commune. haha
My daughter comes out and stays for the weekend sometimes and sometimes she has bright pink hair. hahaha
Everybody knows her. She’s 24 and really had a bit of a rough time around here at first. Now she’s weeded through the people and has made some really good friends. (she’s allot more social than I am).
Oh ya…..and when you are driving down the road and the person coming towards you gives a little wave….be sure and do the same kind of little wave back. It helps you fit in better.
Just remember living in a small town is like a whole ‘nother world…and there are gonna be people that think that you are really awesome (from the big city and all), and there are gonna be people that aren’t real fond of you because you have come from the big city to infiltrate thier tiny world.
You’ll be alright….It’ll take a yr. or so and things will smooth out for you. Enjoy the Opie Taylor life. Go fishing!
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Forgive my spelling…..I only been here ate yeers now…..~wink~