Relocating to Small Town, USA

Covid taught us many things. It taught us the importance of slowing down, how to enjoy the little things, and the joys of being alone, just to name a few. Don’t get us wrong- the pandemic was tragic and horrible. But being forced to spend time at home was certainly a lesson in doing less. For many, that lesson led to a shift in the way we think about location, particularly the location we call home.

After being confined to our own homes for over a year, we learned we can live without all the hustle and bustle that we once lived for. We learned that quaint and quiet have their perks. We learned that there are a whole host of benefits to small-town living. Now, all over the country, people are relocating to Small Town, USA.

We’ll now pause while those of us who’ve always resided here sigh a collective, “duh!” 

Aside from the lack of crowding and germ spreading we became hyper-aware of during Covid, we’ve ranked the top five reasons for relocating to Small Town, USA. Prepare to start packing your bags.

1). Small Towns Are Making A Comeback

We’ve already discussed that small towns are looking more attractive than ever to previous city dwellers, but there’s more to the small town comeback than the surge of city deserters.

Over the last decade, countless time and resources have been expended on revitalizing small-town living. The restoration of America’s Main Streets has allowed new and unique small businesses to forge a path that puts them in the limelight of their small communities. Boutiques, breweries, gift shops, coffee shops, bakeries, and restaurants now occupy those vintage storefront window spaces, each providing their own exceptional services and fulfilling needs that had likely not been met in small towns for years.

These days, small towns are home to some of the best dining and shopping experiences to be found, attracting visitors from big cities.

2). Lower Cost of Living

If the allure of delicious food and hand-crafted home goods is appealing to you, you’ll be happy to learn that the cost of living in small towns is much lower than in bigger cities. So not only will you have some incredible local shopping and dining options, you’ll have more money to spend at those places- or save! 

Just to put the cost of living disparity in perspective, compared to the national average, the living cost in Chicago, Illinois is about 24% higher, and the housing cost is about 59% higher. Conversely, the living cost in Ashland, Ohio is 17% lower than the national average, and the cost of housing is 42% lower. 

Relocating to a small town might be just the best financial decision you make.

3). Tight-knit Community

When you live in a small town, you become accustomed to seeing the same faces day in and day out. That familiarity grows into a sense of community and family that is unmatched in the anonymity of a dense populous.

Neighbors look out for one another, the lady at the grocery store knows your name, and someone is always ready to lend a helping hand when needed. This kind of closeness isn’t for everyone, of course, but for those who long for more authentic and genuine daily interactions with people you come into contact with, small-town living offers the tight-knit vibe that makes that possible. 

4). Less Traffic

While proponents of big city living could rebut the first three reasons on the list, we can all agree that less traffic is always for the win. Fewer people means fewer vehicles and fewer vehicles means a severely diminished version of rush hour. 

In a small town, the busiest locations at the busiest times of day will still only set you back by ten minutes or so at the very most, a mere fraction of the traffic time endured by city dwellers. Getting across town in a small community might take 10-15 minutes, as opposed to an hour or possibly more in a larger area.

And let’s be real. Less traffic also means less road rage- a definite benefit for everyone involved.

5). Business Potential

There’s a common misconception that businesses can’t thrive in small towns the way they do in big cities. But that’s just not true. 

We’ve already discussed the appeal of small towns from a Main Street perspective, and clearly, the businesses that have revived those miniature downtown areas are proving that belief wrong. But even beyond the more walkable and glamorous areas of small towns, business is good. 

You see, small-town markets aren’t nearly as flooded as those in urban areas. When you need a plumber or a landscaper or an electrician, chances are you already know who to call. And if you don’t, your neighbor can refer you to an excellent company that will get the job done. When businesses support small towns, the people in those towns support those businesses right back.

BCU Electric is Small-Town Proud

BCU Electric has been in Ashland, Ohio for over thirty years. We’ve grown, we’ve seen the town grow, and we’ve experienced firsthand the joys of small-town living. For all of these reasons and more, BCU Electric is small-town proud. 

So when you’re deliberating on whether or not to relocate to a small town, just remember all the benefits that are right around the corner.