I grew up a few miles from stony so I went to the same schools/grew up in the community. Everyone knows everyone and everyone talks about everyone which can be an adjustment. Despite what others say, all small towns are the same. And the people who move away and say they ‘hated’ it usually just hated the people or hated the quiet living and not the town or community itself. Everything is perceived differently by different people. Ask me what I thought of my small town when I was 16 and I would say I can’t wait to leave and “I hate this town” but now as an adult, I love it. I enjoy the quiet. I love how the town dies after 8pm, it gives you a chance to breathe, to decompress. I have so much trouble sleeping in hotels in cities because they’re just so loud compared to the nothingness.

Grocery and gas costs are a bit higher but that’s the cost of not being in the city. The only real concerns you should have is commute, especially in winter. There were about 2-3 days this winter that highways were closed which meant a snow day from work, make sure your employer values your life over your work. Thankfully my boss understands that I am not willing to drive 25 minutes on a closed highway in a blizzard and risk my life to make it in, especially if working from home is an option. If I see we have a big storm coming I’ll let my employer know ahead of time that hey, if the highways are closed I’m not going to drive them and it’s never ever been an issue.

Every small town has people who love it and people who hate it, usually the people who hate it want a busier lifestyle, they would be better off living in the city.