I moved from a town of about 150,000 where I had lived all my life but the residents were very transient and therefore, it was difficult to have close relationships because they would move (military mostly). The traffic, crime and number of students per class rose as the population steadily increased.

I currently live in a town with a population of 45,000 and was hoping that my children and I could forge strong relationships with others. It’s quite the opposite. It seems that if you weren’t born and raised here that you don’t belong. Of course, I have met a few wonderful people, but overall, small(er) town living is not what I thought it would be. Traffic, crime and schools are much better but it’s at a price. Also, I could drive 40 minutes to the next biggest town to try to enjoy clubs, volunteering, etc. (an hour and 20 minutes away from my kids simply driving…)

In addition, a previous poster mentioned that small town people gossip as a hobby and I have found this to be so true. I prefer not to divulge all *personal* details of my life nor do I wish to discuss other people’s and this has helped to ensure that I don’t fit in at my job. Unfortunately, small towns don’t have a lot of options when it comes to a decent paying job with benefits…therefore, I feel it necessary to stay until my children have graduated from school but have seriously been thinking about what would be a better location for me.

I’m looking for the best of both worlds…where is it?

It is truly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been (and lived), and my parents and one of my brothers (and his family) still live there.

Indeed – it is a joy to return home for a visit, because I know that financially there isn’t much we have to worry about there. The less we focus on spending there, the easier it is to focus on how beautiful it is, and how wonderful the small community is – despite the continued financial hardships they’ve gone through as the economy shifted over the years.

One of the best kept secrets in the lower 48, in my opinion. Fortunately, it is far enough out of the way that it will never become another Jackson Hole.

This is a ridiculous generalization. I have a very high powered career. I always wanted one. I need one in fact, having a great deal of energy and ambition. I am happy. Small town life would bore me to death-I’ve been there. I also manage my money carefully and despite living in LA rarely shop.

I’m in a small metro area (about 200K people) and one thing I do miss about big city life is that there always seemed to be so many cheap or free entertainment options if you were willing to dig for them- an annual pass to the big zoo or museum that was about $20 more than the cost of going just for a day, more interesting places to spend an afternoon people-watching, lots of free and cheap concerts every weekend.

And forget hole-in-the-wall ethnic restaurants. My area believed if you wanted good food, it came from a chain. Olive Garden was considered high class.

Here in the big city, I can walk to the anything I need, many delicious ethnic restaurants, and spend my weekends somewhere other than a hick country linedancing bar.

But, all that said, I would move to a small city (or big small town – depending on how you look at it)from the larger suburban area I live in now if I got the chance to be able to live in a less congested place.

Our little town is virtually crime-free and has some of the best schools in the area. We’re close enough to the center of town that we can bike or walk to shop or play. Property taxes are higher than in other places I’ve lived but having no state income tax offsets that to a large degree.

Best of all, when we crave big-city entertainment or fine restaurants, Dallas is just a short drive away. Most of the time, though, our little town has everything we need.

The population is about 60,000 or so, and the island is very small. I was earning tax free money, and really didn’t have anything to spend it on (the once a month pay check helped that too). So after paying my rent and groceries, I was left with a huge lump sum and nothing to spend it on. I also got into a fairly routine lifestyle (work, gym, friends, sleep) everyday. Apparently, we are happier without choices than with them, who knew?

Now I life in the heart of downtown Toronto (millions of people), one block from my office tower (2 minute commute by foot). I am still saving lots and going to the gym and happy, even though my “town” couldn’t be more different than Bermuda small town living.

I think it would be difficult to go back to the inconvenience of a small town now that I’m used to 24/7 life though!

You do your readers a great service when you touch on the important issue of self-knowledge and some of the most powerful virtues such as contentment, patience and humility.

This is not “touchy-feely” or “new-agey.” The greatest thinkers in history guided those who would listen to pursue self-knowledge and virtue.

Success at personal finance has almost nothing to do with money.

“I do nothing but go about persuading you all, old and young alike, not to take thought for your persons or your properties, but and chiefly to care about the greatest improvement of the soul. I tell you that virtue is not given by money, but that from virtue comes money and every other good of man, public as well as private. This is my teaching, and if this is the doctrine which corrupts the youth, I am a mischievous person.” ~ Socrates

Their website is the350project.net.

Funny, because I’m just a city girl. I was born in one, moved out of one to a small nearly non-existent town and am slowly working on getting back to a decent city. (Living near a small to mid-sized one now.) While the temptation is here to spend, since the mall is only ten or fifteen minutes away, I’d rather go to just walk around than actually spend money… For me, I have enough self-control to do this… Or at least know my triggers enough to not put myself into a spendy situation if I can’t afford one.

Plus we walk to all of these establishments.

I too try to shop local. I also try to pay cash locally so they don’t have to pay the credit card fees. That’s one small thing I do to try and give them an advantage over larger stores.

Where I struggle is with investments. I can shop locally, but it’s not going to make a huge difference if I give thousands of dollars to large companies in equity even when I don’t support the business. I’d like to have local equity, or at least small business equity, which just doesn’t seem possible with the current regulatory and business environment.

The most effective way to create change in ourselves is to change our environment.

Our self-discipline is unreliable–for some, more than others–and if we remove unwanted temptations around us, it’s easier to accomplish whatever our goal is.

I loved Steve Pavlina’s example of the best way to stop eating a certain type of food is to stock your house full of the lowest quality, least-enjoyable taste kind. Much more effective to wane yourself off of it than try to discipline ourselves not to touch the tasty morsels sitting on that counter… just… one bite, and that’s it… mmmmm….

Nice one,
Oleg

As long as I have the internet.

Now I just have to get my wife on board by the time we’re ready to move…

Small towns lack diversity and their social life seems to revolve around gossiping about neighbors. I like the anonymity of the big city and the opportunity to meet people who are different from me.

A giant house & yard isn’t all that appealing, when you consider what you have in a city that you lack in a small town.

Just my opinion, of course!