Nowadays we are all spending more time at home, we are re-evaluating our lifestyle and what’s important to us in a home.

Many are looking for more space – a larger backyard, area for a garden, a home office, or maybe a craft room. Additionally, more and more companies are allowing employees to work from home permanently or only commute to the office once or twice a week, so living closer to the office no longer has to be a priority.

So, if you’re one of these people interested in small-town life, you might be struggling with what to do – stay in a big city or take the leap and leave it behind. To help with your decision, I’ve rounded up 5 factors to consider before moving to a small town. 

1.You’ll find peace and quiet

An obvious benefit of moving somewhere with fewer people is less noise, but the true delight of quiet open space often goes unsung.

The peacefulness and spaciousness of small towns make quiet activities even more serene, whether it’s meditation, yoga, or sitting on the balcony with a cup of tea.

2.Lower Cost of Living

Everything from homes to groceries is cheaper in a small town. You can get an entire house for the price of a studio apartment in a large city, and with more mom-and-pop outfits than big corporate chains, the price of consumer goods is often lower, too.² Not to mention small towns tend to have low property taxes.

3.You’ll need a car if you’re moving to a small town

In most big cities you can take public transit almost anywhere, so you may not need a car. In a small town, however, having a car is usually a must to get around easily. Don’t forget you’ll need to cover all the expenses that come with it such as insurance, licensing, gas, maintenance, and repairs.

4.Might be fewer job opportunities

While the cost of living may be cheaper in a small town, there will be fewer jobs available, and the spectrum of industry to choose from will be narrower. This means that finding employment may be more difficult or you may have to travel to a nearby city to work.

If you are able to work remotely, which as we mentioned is becoming a realistic option for many, moving to a smaller town or city might give you the benefits of low-cost living while still maintaining employment at a company in a larger city. 

That said, you can still find plenty of employment options in a rural area. Just about every town has a local government that needs employees, schools that need teachers, businesses that need managers, and so on. Also, if you’re a business owner you may find that you can have lots of success in a smaller town compared to a larger city since there will likely be less competition. 

5.Your entertainment options may change

When moving to a small town, it’s important to consider how you and your family like to spend your free time. A lot of small-town entertainment involves being outside (hiking, sports, camping) which is great if that’s what you and your family like to do. But if you’re into arts and culture, entertainment options may be limited and you may have to look for fun out in the big city near your new home.

That said, small towns usually put on plenty of activities and local events you can get involved in and attend, such as town picnics, parades, festivals, pumpkin patches, fairs, and much more. To get a better feel for the types of events your new town has to offer, look up their community Facebook page. They usually will list all of their recent and upcoming events and activities – this can help when determining if your new town will be a good fit in terms of entertainment options.

If you’re moving to Canada soon, read our blog on Julieciarallo.com on hidden costs when buying a home

Historically, newcomers have chosen to move to large cities. According to Statistics Canada, nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of the immigrants who came in the 1990s lived in just three metropolitan areas: Toronto, Vancouver and Montréal. The trend still holds true after the 2016 census, with over half of all immigrants (61.4 percent) and recent immigrants (56 percent) residing in these three cities. 

List of some small Canadian cities

No matter what country you’re in, living in a small town and in a rural community has its challenges. In a small country town, the population is spread out in all directions. What you will find in these towns is community support and lots of friendliness. If you don’t want to become an outsider be sure to show up at community events and offer your free time to do volunteer work at some of the local clubs and organizations.