There’s just something special about small towns, such as Airdrie, Cochrane, and Okotoks in Alberta. You may think that small towns have nothing to offer, but the fact is that they can offer a lot to individuals and families alike. Reading on, you can learn some of the best and worst parts of moving to a smaller town as well as what you should consider before you make the move. Our team of Airdrie, Cochrane, and Okotoks movers wants to share with you everything that you need to know about small-town life.
Benefits of Moving to a Small Town
Idyllic small towns are the backdrop for many movies and television shows, but you may not have considered making this lifestyle your own. There are quite a few benefits of small-town life. This section will take a look at the top 4 benefits of moving to a small town.
1. The Sense of Community
Easily one of the best things about living in a smaller town is the amazing sense of community that you can experience here. Since it’s a small town, there is a lower population here so you really know everyone in town. There’s a sense of closeness that happens in these communities that can make them so inviting. Because everyone is so close, everyone seems to work together to make their town even better. That’s an awesome thing to be a part of.
2. Cost of Living is Lower
Our experience as movers, especially Cochrane movers, has shown us that people love living here because the cost of living is lower when compared to larger cities. You can get more houses for less in these small towns, which makes them very appealing.
3. Lower Car Insurance
There’s not a lot of traffic in small towns, contributing to lower car insurance bills. Car insurance is also cheaper in small towns because there is a reduced risk of theft, collisions, and vandalism when compared to larger cities.
4. Interesting Small Businesses
Small towns have such interesting small businesses. From cute cafés to mom-and-pop shops, there are many unique and high-quality services that you can enjoy while living in a small town.
Cons of Moving to a Small Town
As great as small towns can be, there are still some downsides that you need to know before you decide to move to a smaller town. This section will take a close look at 4 of these cons of moving to a small town for your consideration.
1. Not Too Much to Do
You can enjoy some things in town, but you will likely need to travel to the city for most types of entertainment. It can be costly to continually travel to a larger city for certain restaurants, movies, or other activities that you can’t enjoy in the small town.
2. Not as Many Well-Paying Jobs
Living expenses may be cheaper in small towns, but the problem is that you may need to travel for high-paying job opportunities for those jobs. Most well-paying jobs tend to be found in urban areas, meaning that you will have to commute. Commuting can be costly and time-consuming sometimes, which is something to consider.
3. Transportation Can be Costly
You can often just get cheap transportation in the city by getting on the train or subway to get around. You can grab a cab or just bike to wherever you are going. But, if you live in a small town you will need a car to get around especially if you have to commute to the city for your work. In large cities, you can save money on owning a car or the associated costs of car ownership because there is no need for one.
4. Over-Friendly Residents
In a large city, you can enjoy some anonymity. In small towns, everyone seems to know your name. This can be both a blessing and a curse. Sometimes, it can be annoying to have people be that friendly towards you because you feel like you have to stop talking to everyone or don’t respect boundaries and just walk on your property. If you are someone who does enjoy some privacy, you may find that small towns aren’t really for you.
Things to Consider When Moving to a Small Town
Now that you know the pros and cons of moving to a small town, it’s time to break down some of the top things to consider before you make this move. Here are 3 things to consider when moving to a small town.
1. More Space in Small Towns
You can generally find larger houses and outdoor spaces in small towns. In cities or suburbs, you end up paying a lot more for a lot less. If you want a lot of space, especially outside, you will pay for this at a premium cost in a big city. That’s even if you can find the space you are looking for in the city.
2. Limited Services and Amenities
You may not have as many options for amenities or services in a small town as you would in the city. This means that you could wait longer to get these services or drive further to purchase specific items.
3. Everything Feels Slower
City life is all about the hustle and bustle. Things just move fast in the city. But in the small town, things move a little bit slower. This can make the small town less overwhelming for you, allowing you to truly appreciate the scenery around you.
Conclusion
As leading Okotoks, Cochrane, and Airdrie movers, our team can help you realize your dreams of living in a small town. Whether you moved by choice or for work, living in a small town can be a great experience for everyone. There is a lot to consider here, but you can have a great experience if you choose the small-town life for yourself or your family.