Presently I reside in a small northern community--- which is situated close enough to the metropolis to be able to drive in daily.  This is a community of commuters. The highway is clogged morning and evening with vehicles rushing to their daytime jobs, anxious to get there so they can drive home again in the evening.  Most days I don't mind the commute-- gives me time to think, time to listen to my own music, reflect on the day stretched ahead or the evening chores to be accomplished.  This truly is my 'down' time.  Thus I will count this as a "pro' towards living outside the city.  Ask me on a forty below winter day and I will most certainly change my mind (but then I'm a woman, and am entitled to mind changes).

 

 Perhaps one of the nicest pros is that people tend to know each other.  Babies have been born here; raised and grown-- now with family of their own.  Families have history. This town has a lengthy record of pioneers moving in and farming the land, building new businesses and opening up their homes to immigrants from other countries.  Many of their ancestors still reside here.  It is a diverse community of cultures and religious views.

 

Often small places view newcomers as a different breed.  Locals look down their noses at them (not with disdain, but more of an attitude of 'you have no idea').  Usually it takes a very long time to melt into the fabric of a community and be viewed as a local.  One friend from Pender Island said it took her 20 years--- she has done her time and is now considered a local.  I see it here in this town too--  if you're not related to someone, or married into the community then you have to work extra hard to prove you belong. If you're a newcomer, don't be discouraged,  it happens--- it is an evolution of sorts.  This acceptance doesn't happen over night,  with perseverance it will come.

 

So I guess there are certain pros in having most people in town know who you are.  Let me tell you the tale of one friend who appreciated this certain aspect of a small town. She was running unusually late and she had to run to the end of the driveway because the garbage truck was crawling closer and closer.  There wasn't enough time to slip on a pair of jeans and still get the 6 bags of garbage out on time.  So the decision was  made--- out she went in her oldest pair of P.J.'s -- the ones even her spouse doesn't see in the light!!!  Only to have the garbage man whistle and give the 'thumbs up sign'!!  She scurried back inside hoping no one else on the block noticed.  Just then the phone began to ring--- nosy Nellie next door asks if she can buy her a new pair of P.J.'s--- after a chuckle or two she hung up with relief and a sigh, knowing this was the end of it.   Later in the day she had to run to the grocery store, bank and post office.  Now this is where it can get tricky--- because Nellie is married to the grocery manger, and his sister is the 2nd teller on the right at the bank, her niece is the postmistress, and her son is the deli manager at the store, and he is presently dating the garbage man's daughter.  Have I lost you yet??  So during her travels through our little community she was greeted with tales of the 'worn' P.J.'s and the offer to buy new ones!!  Yes, news travels fast in these circles.

 

Most times I appreciate the friendly greetings and the familiarity of knowing young and old. I like being greeted by name in a local business. Or to go grocery shopping is a social event.  My kids will often comment 'Mom, do you know everyone in town?" Anonymity is not an easy task. 
My daughter recently experienced this phenomena.  She returned from traveling in Europe for several months and thinking she was coming home to a place where no one knew her anymore. She was certainly surprised with the reception she received.  Neighbors and friends  were approaching her and asking questions, eager to hear of her travels.  Our son has also experienced something similar and  become entrenched in the community with his job at a favorite eating place; he has grown to recognize the locals and recognizes their taste in pepperoni, pineapple, bacon and cheese.  He can tell us tales of their personal favorites-- recognizing them by taste rather than by name.

 

With children  it is nice they have the opportunity to walk anywhere in town, the comfort of being able to walk everywhere.  Sometimes for parents this is a huge advantage.  On occasion stories would reach my ears before they were home from school.  Yes, the tales were told before they could high-tail it to the outskirts of town!! Those beautiful summer days early in June--- those perfect days that could persuade even the most dedicated and scholarly students this was the 'day' to run the risk and 'skip school'!!  I'm sure a couple people reading this can remember those days.

 

 Most days are pretty great to come home and kick back, relaxation takes over.   Just like Norm, his comfort level increases at the end of his day, he knows he belongs. Many of us search for  a place like 'Cheers'--- a place where we belong.  At the end of my workday it's still enjoyable to pull up a stool in this "piece of life".