Why I Moved to a Small Town

Three years ago, I left a city of four million people and moved to a town with fewer than eight thousand. My friends thought I was making a mistake. Some of them still do. Looking back, I would like to share what I gained, what I lost and what I did not expect.

Three years ago, I left a city of four million people and moved to a town with fewer than eight thousand. My friends thought I was making a mistake. Some of them still do. Looking back, I would like to share what I gained, what I lost and what I did not expect.

What I gained: time and space. In the city, I spent nearly two hours every day on crowded trains. Now I walk to work in twelve minutes, and I often go home for lunch. My rent has fallen by almost half, so I finally have a small garden where I grow herbs and tomatoes, with mixed success. I also sleep better, since the loudest noise at night is an owl.

What I gained: time and space. In the city, I spent nearly two hours every day on crowded trains. Now I walk to work in twelve minutes, and I often go home for lunch. My rent has fallen by almost half, so I finally have a small garden where I grow herbs and tomatoes, with mixed success. I also sleep better, since the loudest noise at night is an owl.

What I lost: choice and privacy. In the city, I could find any food, film or event at any hour. Here, the only cinema shows two films a week, and the best restaurant closes at nine. Moreover, everyone knows everyone. When I bought a new coat, the woman at the post office complimented it the next day. At first I found this uncomfortable, but I have gradually learnt to see it as a form of care.

What I lost: choice and privacy. In the city, I could find any food, film or event at any hour. Here, the only cinema shows two films a week, and the best restaurant closes at nine. Moreover, everyone knows everyone. When I bought a new coat, the woman at the post office complimented it the next day. At first I found this uncomfortable, but I have gradually learnt to see it as a form of care.

What surprised me: the community. I expected to feel lonely, but I was wrong. Within a month, a neighbour had invited me for dinner, and within a year I was helping to organise the autumn fair. When my bicycle broke down in the rain, three different people stopped to offer a lift. People in the city were not unfriendly, but they were always in a hurry, and nobody had the energy for small kindnesses.

What surprised me: the community. I expected to feel lonely, but I was wrong. Within a month, a neighbour had invited me for dinner, and within a year I was helping to organise the autumn fair. When my bicycle broke down in the rain, three different people stopped to offer a lift. People in the city were not unfriendly, but they were always in a hurry, and nobody had the energy for small kindnesses.

Of course, a small town is not for everyone. If your career depends on being near big companies, or if you cannot live without concerts and museums, you may find it frustrating. I solve this by visiting the city for a weekend every two months, which makes me enjoy it more than I did when I lived there.

Of course, a small town is not for everyone. If your career depends on being near big companies, or if you cannot live without concerts and museums, you may find it frustrating. I solve this by visiting the city for a weekend every two months, which makes me enjoy it more than I did when I lived there.

My advice to anyone considering a similar move: rent first, buy later. Spend at least six months in the place before you decide, in every season, including the dull weeks of winter. And be ready to say hello to strangers. In a town like mine, that is where everything begins.

My advice to anyone considering a similar move: rent first, buy later. Spend at least six months in the place before you decide, in every season, including the dull weeks of winter. And be ready to say hello to strangers. In a town like mine, that is where everything begins.