What I Love About Small-town Life

Every time I travel, I come back home to Oneonta, and I'm always reminded of not just the beauty of our Central New York region, but also the enjoyable culture of small town living.  Some people thrive on the hustle and bustle of the metropolitan lifestyle and I am certainly NOT one of those.

Having grown up outside of Gilbertsville, NY, a very small town that prides itself on its beauty and history, I learned to appreciate everything that a small-town culture has to offer.  Here are a few things that come to mind that I have always enjoyed about the small-town life:

• Local farmers market
• Small central school with more opportunities to participate in activities, regardless of skill level and more classroom attention
• It's easier to get to know neighbors and community members
• In a small community, people really help each other and are more aware of those who are struggling in some way
• Community events/fundraisers which really bring people together
• Traffic?  What traffic?
• Interesting local history
• Historical markers/buildings that make a community unique
• dedicated volunteer fire fighters and Emergency Medical Technicians
• Local politicians and community leaders are easy to access since they are your neighbors.
• parades featuring all kinds of different groups of people and you know most people in it.
• Any shops or restaurants are typically small, family owned businesses
• neighbors and members of the community watch out for all kids under the philosophy that "it takes a village".

I'm sure I could add more to the list above, but those are all the things I love best about living in a small town and I know without a doubt that I will always live in a small town, travel to other places and then thoroughly enjoy coming back home.