A lot of things may signal you living in a small town, but you can really tell by the farmlands, the small amount of people you can tolerate, and seeing everyone you've ever met everywhere you go.
1. Everyone knows everyone and everything -- what you've done, who hangs out with whom, etc.
The sucky thing about living in a small town (the one of many) is knowing almost everyone and the shenanigans they get into. Rumors get passed around quickly and often to the point where you begin to realize moving sounds like the only option to avoid it.
2. You found early work in babysitting one of the many children who live in your development.
Your mom's friend, Jacqueline, works a high powered job in the city and offered you a job at the low, low, rate of $10. Of course, you take it to start saving for the days when you realize you're old enough to to move out.
3. Your friends will either be for life, or last for the time you're in school together.
In the suburbs, your friends are the people you play sports with, the students in your classes, or the people at your youth group. Once you leave and go to college, some of these friendships might end for the people who decide to say here.
4. You realize how closed-minded people are.
Growing up, having an opinion that didn't agree with the vast majority was a sin. Everyone wore the same skinny jeans with holes in them, shopped at the same stores and liked the same hobbies. It wasn't until you went to college when you realized how much more there is out there.
5. It's always so quiet, and everything closes at 9 p.m.
No matter what time of day it is, it's like your town was placed on mute. You may get the occasional car driving by or kids running around outside after school, but there is no such thing as hustle and bustle. It's just as bad when the sun sets, when the only places open past 9 are Wawa and a couple fast food restaurants.
6. You're always bored.
As someone who spent her early childhood years growing up in the city, I am used to a loud and busy environment where there is always something to do. There are always new restaurants, free events, museums and a ton more people your age to connect with.
7. Speaking of which, you pretty much speak conductor after taking the train to and from the city frequently.
You end up meeting a lot of friends at restaurants and beer gardens, so adapting to that is crucial. You always know where most landmarks are and can don't need to help of a GPS... for the most part.
8. By the time you graduate college, you're ready to travel.
My college didn't offer study abroad, which is the only thing I regret about going there. Traveling seems necessary to me to see how other people live, what other countries are like, and how much they differ from you. Everyone who has studied abroad continues to say it was the best decision they ever made.
9. Your childhood was mostly spent playing in woods, fishing, visiting parks and hiking.
Since you live so close to many recreational and state parks, you may have visited them more than you went down the shore. They are close, free and a fun place to go if you want to get out of your house for a while.
10. Even though you hated it, you still loved your high school, the few neighbors and friends you had and the stillness.
Of course, when you leave for a while, you miss your home and realize it's actually a pretty great place to live.
