Advantages and Disadvantages of Living in a Small Town

There are advantages and disadvantages to living in a small town. You are likely to have more frequent contact with neighbors in a small town than you would in a larger town or city, so it is important to take into account the pros and cons of having privacy. Also take into consideration other factors, including your plans for a family, the career opportunities, your finances, the schools and entertainment options. Your personality will determine whether a small town offers advantages or disadvantages.

Many people who reside in small towns enjoy the closeness of knowing their neighbors and the details of neighbors' lives. If a baby is born, a child is ill or a relative dies, people in small towns often want to know about it and be there for you. This can be an advantage, especially if you are lacking a family of your own or enjoy a great deal of socializing. However, if you would rather keep the details of your life to yourself and turn your nose up at idle gossip, small town living might not be for you.

Jobs can be hard to come by in small towns. You might be required to commute out of town to work but then return to a peaceful environment at the end of a busy day. Housing might be cheaper in small towns, although commuting costs might be higher. Food and child care expenses might be reduced as people are more likely to have gardens and share produce or take turns watching each other's children.

One of the disadvantages of a small town is not being close to amusement parks, zoos or museums. However, people in small towns tend to come together during town picnics, festivals or fairs. Depending on your preferences, small towns might provide a relaxed, slower pace when it comes to entertainment compared to the hustle and bustle of a city, where there is constant movement, commotion and entertainment at every corner.

In a small town, class sizes are usually smaller and teachers and students can get to know each other and their fellow classmates on a deeper level. Many small towns have schools that receive national academic awards or are the highest achieving district in their states. CNN Money ranked Louisville, Colorado as the number one small town in America in 2011 and the school system is academically ranked among the top three in the Denver area. However, some of these towns noted high taxes as a trade-off for the outstanding school systems.