Big City or Small Town
Where do you prefer to visit and live?
I grew up in several small towns. The smallest town was Cyanosa, Texas, which had a population of 25 at the time I lived there, and even today, it still only has 168 residents. Other towns included Boron, CA, Bakersfield, CA, Tucumcari, NM, and Clovis, NM. There were others, but for simplicity, they were all small towns by Census status. During my high school years, I lived in Clovis, NM. But by the time I was 18, I wanted nothing more than to “get the hell out of Dodge.”
To “get the hell out of dodge” comes from early western movies, and it’s a popular saying that’s still in use today.
At the age of 18, I wanted the “Big City” — bring on the big city lights and the excitement of a city that never sleeps. Movies, film, and TV provided a glamorous backdrop whenever they showcased big cities. It was rare to see the trashy, seedy, crime-ridden, or hard times often found in some real cities. I did get out of Dodge, which was the starting point for travels to 28 counties, visiting big cities and small towns everywhere.
The big excitement in my small town during my senior year was dragging main street on a Saturday night. If you have watched the movie American Graffiti (1973), produced by Francis Ford Coppola, you have some idea of what that was like, minus street racing, which I never did. wink wink
I had a 1963 six-cylinder Ford Ranchero when I was 18, so any street racing by me was only in my dreams. But I did have a friend, Ritchy, who had a 1968 Plymouth Road Runner GTX, and that’s all I’m saying about that. Still, our real-life dragging on main street wasn’t nearly as exciting as shown in the movies. When you are 18, you don’t feel that living in a small town is compelling; at least I didn't.
Over the years, I lived in cities of all sizes. I found advantages and disadvantages in each. But, at the age of 69, I prefer small towns. I live in Ramona, CA, today, and my wife and I have been here for almost 20 years. We have no smog, although plenty of pollution is only a few miles away. I can’t say there is no crime, but we are on the low side, statistically. People are friendly. They wave at passing cars and speak when meeting strangers. While it's increasing, traffic is nothing compared to any large area near us.
I like that the noise I hear is an occasional rooster crowing or horse neighing, not gunshots and traffic and police sirens every few minutes as they respond to yet another crime. Our little town is growing, but it still has the small-town feeling I love.
It has the added benefit of being near San Diego, CA, so all the Big City amenities are available within a short drive.
“If people keep moving to small towns — then they become Big Cities.” — John Faddis, Oak Tree Ranch, Ramona, Ca
I conducted an unscientific survey asking, “Big city or small town, which do you prefer and why?” The first thing I noticed is that when I asked “Can I quote you”, almost all the small-town residents said yes, while the Big City group took a step backward, and all but two said no. There could be many reasons for this, but my interpretation was that Big City people were less trusting. Of the two Big City respondents who said I could quote them, only one quote is suitable for print.
“Small town, love knowing my neighbors, and faces I see daily in town, being able to call them by name, small-town charm is what I love. We look out for each other and have each other’s back. Willing to jump right in, if they need help.” — Barbara Rhodes Land, The Dalles, OR
“Big City, I love the vibrant city nightlife scene. In the last small town I was in, they rolled up the streets at 9 pm. I can party all night in LA. We have the best restaurants and the best shopping. So many entertainment options. Big City dude.” — Monica Johnson, Venice Beach, Los Angelas, CA.
“Small Town, I loved being raised in a small town (1500) and now live in a small rural area (8500). Everyone knows your name; helps out neighbors, pulls together in a crisis, and no one goes hungry. No stress; very relaxing; enjoy the beautiful sunrises and sunsets over our pond and fields full of crops. Breathtaking — Robin Shineflew Gaines, Covington, TN
Another Big City resident who didn’t want to be quoted by name lives in San Diego. A very nice, well-mannered gent in his 30s spoke with me for a long time, he was collecting signatures on a petition for raising the minimum wage in California, and I had a captive audience.
His answer was Big City. He said, “At this stage in my life, I need to find a stable career and decent employment opportunities.” He stated that jobs in small towns were unavailable. Big cities provided better choices, and he utilized the San Diego trolly system and public buses. And that small towns don’t generally have good public transportation. He also continued his studies, and “options are better in big cities for higher education”, he said.
Most who responded with small town - had similar responses, as noted in the quotes. But crime and friendliness were common themes. A few responded, “I live where my job is; it’s not my choice.” Some wanted to live near their children or grandchildren and had no opinion small or large on the size of the location. And one said, “It's none of your business.”
A survey conducted by GoBankingRates recently found Millennials were the age group most likely to cite big cities, with 17% of the 25–34 age group and 13% of the 35–44 set.
Gen X and baby boomers had little interest in big cities, preferring small towns, beach towns, their current locations, and places close to family.
More men expressed interest in big cities than women, 12% to 7%.
Webster's Dictionary’s definition for “small town” — : of or relating to a small town, small-town values/life/charm.
There are the same words again - values, life, charm.
Definition of “big-city” — : of or relating to a large city big-city problems such as overcrowding and noise.
I don’t believe one is good and the other bad. I’m sure there are good small towns and bad ones, same for big cities. Each fills the needs of different people in a different way. Which do you prefer when traveling or picking places to live?