11 Tips for Moving to a Small Town from the Big City
City dwellers give up their bustling lives in the busy downtowns of the world by the thousands annually. They move to smaller towns where housing is more affordable, there’s more ‘community’, and where the pace is relaxed.
In fact, many Canadians are moving from the hectic cities of Toronto or Vancouver and settling down in London or Ottawa instead. If the life of living in a tranquil small town sounds appealing to you, you’ll be glad to that moving to a small town is very easy. All you need to do is contact the professional movers in London (or Ottawa, or any other small town that you fancy) and get your new home transition underway!
Check out these eleven tips for moving to a small town from the big city:
Tip #1: Don’t Know Anyone? Volunteer!
The number one tip for moving to a small town is to put yourself out there and meet new people. The quickest way to get to know your small town community is through volunteering. Usually, volunteer opportunities aren’t hard to find either. Bake sales, charity work, school committees, community events, and more are the typical.
Tip #2: Be Open to Conversation
When you’re moving to a small town, you’ll notice it’s far more common for your neighbours to want to stop and talk while you’re doing some yard maintenance, walking the dog, or grocery shopping. Be open to communicating with others. Shutting conversation down too quickly is perceived as rude. Don’t hesitate to say hello to others. Kindness, to an extent, is a currency.
Tip #3: Some People Aren’t Nice
Small towns have the perception that they’re a lot nicer than cities. This, to an extent, is usually correct. That said, every small town – like every city – has a certain percentage of rude people. Don’t take it personally. It says more about them than it does you. If someone decides to be unkind, don’t return the same. Even in social situations, meet unkindness with kindness and openness.
Tip #4: Start Your Own Recipe Book
In a big city, it’s not hard to find a restaurant. After you have moved to a small town, there isn’t as much variety in restaurants or cuisine. If you want to keep things interesting for your palette, start a recipe book and dig into creating dine-in options at home. You may just discover a new passion and for community events or family get-togethers be able to bring a new recipe to the mix.
Tip #5: Be Ready to Look For Work
Moving to a small town is great because they’re quiet, safe, and family-driven. Unfortunately, newcomers often struggle because of a lack of work opportunity. Don’t discourage though. Sometimes, employment comes in unexpected places or alternatively, you may have to pick something up in a neighbouring town until something becomes available closer to you.
Tip #6: Have A Car
Public transit systems in cities are much more developed than they are in small towns. In fact, several small towns have very little in the form of buses. Having a vehicle is your key to getting around. It is going to be incredibly more difficult – near impossible – to make it in a small town without one.
Tip #7: Finding A Family Doctor
The moment you move to a small town, register yourself on a waiting list for a family doctor or search out one that’s available. In general, small towns may not have a hospital or certain specialists. This might mean traveling to larger cities or neighbouring communities.
If you are an older person, have pre-existing conditions, or have a family, invest the time to find a doctor. A family doctor can coordinate referrals and ensure you receive the best medical care possible.
Tip #8: Take Advantage of the Experience
City-lovers moving to a small town often remark on how ‘boring’ it is or how they miss ‘culture’. Truth be told, small towns have their own experience to be lived. In small towns, kids can roam. They can walk to school, ride their bikes, explore, and have a childhood that isn’t possible in the inner city. If you’re missing the city, look around and identify the local opportunities you can explore.
Tip #9: Don’t Insult the Local Culture
When you’re speaking to people in your household or others in the community, be careful with how you speak about the small town culture. Oftentimes, small towns do things differently than cities. Families have been settled there for decades. The expectation on everything from relationships to schooling is different. Learn, appreciate, and respect it, even if you may not subscribe.
Tip #10: Business And Personal Aren’t Separate
Something you will notice with small town businesses is how the people working there can often become friends. There really isn’t a defined line between ‘business’ and ‘personal’. Becoming friends with your barber, dentist, or doctor is pretty normal. Getting to know your grocery store clerks by name is relatively the norm as well. If you happen to own a small business, it will be assumed you’re the same.
Tip #11: Slow Down
Small towns move slower. The people walk slower, talk slower, and everything just seems to sit around a little while longer soaking in the moment. That isn’t inherently a bad thing. Whether you’re buying groceries, having dinner with family and friends, or grabbing a coffee, the pace comes a lot slower.
This can be frustrating to those accustomed to a bustling metropolis. Regardless, it’s another aspect of small town living to appreciate. Don’t be scared to enjoy the moment.