For many kids, the dream of escaping their small town lives is of utmost importance. They dream of a less boring place, one that is amid the hustle and bustle of humanity. However, is this the right way to go? Some would argue yes, but others would give you a solid no. Small towns offer many experiences and opportunities you cannot get in the city. Are you going to miss out on certain pleasures and city luxuries? Yes, of course, but the rewards are much greater than the concessions.

In a small town you can take a walk or a run and not have to hear a highway. Hell, you may not even see a car.

If you choose to do so, the opportunity to have a fun learning experience with guns is almost certainly an option out in a farm town. This is a great learning experience and, for most kids, this happens at a young age. Almost all the kids growing up around here either took a hunter’s safety course or had it instilled in them by a relative. Knowledge of guns and safe handling practices are just one of the learning opportunities in a small town.

One of the more pleasant experiences of living in a small town is the one everyone seems to hate, the fact that you know everyone. It is this fact that seemingly has driven small town teenagers mad for many decades. Hidden in this hate though is the reassurance, the feeling of being home in a closed community where you feel safe. In a city, you are just another face; outside of your friends and family no one knows or truly cares about you. This is not to say that city dwellers are not empathetic, simply that they see too many tragedies daily and become emotionally detached.

These are just two easy and simple reasons why growing up in a small town can be a great thing. I think it instilled certain values in me. However, these were just the building blocks for my experiences outside the small town life. I feel it was a great base layer for me as a person. From the things I learned in a small town environment to the ones I picked up later in the city, both are just as useful. Living in a small town teaches you how to get along with others you may dislike but have to see every day. It’s a place where everyone walking along the roads wave as you drive by whether you know them or not. A small town does not have to be a death trap to your hopes and dreams, rather it can be the launchpad from which you begin your journey through life.