Until college, I lived my entire life in a small New Jersey town. After living outside of Los Angeles for a year and coming back from school for the summer, I've come to notice moments that I really can't see happening often in a big city. Here are ten moments you've probably experienced if you grew up in suburbia.

1. Running into a teacher around town.

Back in high school, I'd always see teachers at supermarkets. The joke, "you know, we don't live at the school," got tiring after the first time. It's still awkward seeing them outside of a classroom, even after graduating.

2. Running into an old friend and striking up a conversation for the first time in years.

It's a great way to reconnect with someone after losing touch, and it bypasses any awkward online conversation where one of you tries to break the ice again.

3. Knowing people who work at restaurants and going in at specific shifts to see them.

Back in high school, I had many friends who worked at pizzerias or restaurants. I would always go in to say hi, make their lives a little harder, and offer them some relief during boring shifts. I've noticed that I'm still doing this while I'm home now.

4. Walking is an acceptable form of transportation.

Whenever I missed the bus home from school or needed to get to a friend's house before having my license, walking was my only way to get around. Today, I simply walk when my car is out of gas and it's only easy because everything I could ever need is nearby.

5. Running into people you dislike and having to avoid them until someone leaves.

No matter where I go, I always run into someone who I would've loved to have never seen again after graduation. I either just hide or sneak away quietly to avoid any form of acknowledgement between us.

6. Watching TV on a weekend night because there's nothing fun to do nearby without driving.

The other night, I asked my friends when we got boring as we all sat in a living room watching TV. I was reminded that this was exactly what we did in high school, too. Since I've been home, we've finished Bob's Burgers and are now struggling to find something to do outside of the house.

7. Growing up with a next door neighbor or someone else who lives nearby.

Growing up in a small town meant having a close-knit neighborhood and having friends right outside your door. Back home now, I can easily just walk a couple houses down to chill at a friend's house and continue down the road to grab a few other people for the trip.

8. Fueling a rivalry with the other side of town or a nearby one.

When I was in high school, I constantly heard jokes about our rival school or neighboring towns. Coming back home this summer, I still find myself making quips that demonstrates the pride that exists within a small town community.

9. Walking around outside at any hour because it's always safe.

Even at night, I can somehow navigate my way through streets. Even with the occasional midnight stroll, I've never felt scared walking around the lake by my house, because nothing bad ever really happened where I grew up.

10. Entertaining yourself is a necessity.

As much as I would've loved having nightlife around me growing up, I did learn how to be resourceful at a young age. After all, when you're stuck inside with no where to go or laying in bed on a Friday night, you can always figure out something to do until it's finally time for bed.