Is Life Better in a Small Town or Big City?
Is your family ready to pack things up and move but unsure of which area? For many of us, the decision of where to move comes down to one question: big city or small town?
Big cities and small towns offer different lifestyles, with pros on each side of the train tracks. Let’s dig into the advantages of living in each, so you can decide where the next chapter of your life will take place.
Advantages of Living in a Small Town
It’s true that the small-town life offers a few advantages that big cities just can’t match. Here are the benefits of living in a small town versus a big city:
Cost of Living
In general, the cost of living is much cheaper in smaller towns than in big cities. For example, living in French Lick, Indiana is 17% cheaper than Indianapolis, and the median home price is 33% cheaper, according to bestplaces.net. Of course, there are some exceptions to the rule. If you move to a small town that happens to be a popular tourist destination, home prices can begin to feel more Metropolis than Smallville.
Overall, as the population of an area climbs, so does the demand for housing, food and other cost of living factors.
Access to Nature
Are the great outdoors a must for your family? Simply being around nature can have a positive effect on your health. A small town is more likely to have quick access to a great hiking spot or campground. For families that like to hunt or fish, small towns are often surrounded by lakes, rivers, wooded areas and open fields. In most cases, wildlife is just outside your backdoor.
More Living Space
Urban areas are more dense than rural, which means smaller housing and fewer amenities. In a small town, it’s much easier to find housing with a larger backyard and personal driveway.
Safety
Small towns are typically safer than urban areas. According to USAfacts.org, in 2021 urban areas reported 24.5 violent victimizations per 1,000 people, while rural areas reported 11.1 violent victimizations per 1,000 people. When it came to property victimization, urban areas reported 157.7 per 1,000, while rural areas reported 57.7. A newer report published by Moneygeek shows that violent crimes in cities continue to be nearly double those of small towns.
Advantages of Living in a City
If big cities are typically more expensive, less safe and lack quick access to open spaces, why are they so popular? Here are a few advantages of choosing to live in a bigger city:
Job Market
According to the Census, employment is the third most cited reason why people move. There are a wider variety of job opportunities in urban areas, and the jobs in urban areas typically pay more. However, wages are rising slightly faster in rural areas and you may face less competition for a job in a smaller market.
Medical Care
In large cities, healthcare facilities are seemingly around every corner. In rural areas, you may be a lengthy drive from your nearest hospital or urgent care. Therefore, if you or someone in your family has specific or unique medical needs, it may be best and safest to live in a big city.
Entertainment and Nightlife
Almost all professional sports teams are based out of a major metropolitan area. People flock to big cities purely for the entertainment they offer, as there’s always something to do. From theaters to museums to festivals, big city events can quickly fill up your calendar.
Education
If you’re hoping to find the best education for your kids or heading back to college, you’ll have many more schools or universities to choose from in a large city compared to a small town. City schools typically have more resources, better technology and more facilities.
Parks and Open Spaces
Not all cities are complete concrete jungles. Many cities make strong efforts to create parks and other green spaces. Certain cities, such as Portland, Oregon, or Denver, Colorado, are a short drive to some of the best views and recreation nature has to offer, providing the best of rural and urban areas.
Small Town or Big City — We’ll Help You Move
Take stock of your occupation, family situation, goals and interests to determine your priorities. The right environment is one move away.
Wherever the next chapter of your life takes place, Wheaton is there to make your transition quick, easy and stress-free. When you’re ready to make the big move, request a free in-home estimate, and discover why you should choose Wheaton for your next relocation.
