Publisher’s Points to Ponder: Why are people moving to small towns?

Recently I had the opportunity to ride to Dallas for an art show at the Hope Center. While I was fortunate to be a passenger instead of a driver, I was still on edge by all the traffic and reckless driving. It appeared that everyone was in a rush to get somewhere, and their erratic behavior shook me to my core.

I had never been so excited to return to the calmness of Olney, where there is no traffic congestion.

Traffic congestion may become an issue eventually in small towns as people leave the big cities to live a slower-paced life in small towns. Small towns in the West and the South have had had a 7 – 13 percent increase in population. Why are some people changing their perception of smalltown living? Various surveys report that most people who migrate to small towns do so for a reduction in the cost of living, health reasons and lower pupil-teacher ratio.

It is less expensive to live in Olney compared to Dallas. Although property taxes are slightly higher, utilities, insurance, food and home prices are lower.

With health, many people find that the ease of picking up fast food almost every night is more convenient than driving to the grocery store to prepare a meal. With the city having more fast-food options, people tend to have more health issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Whereas in a small town, it is much easier to buy groceries at the local supermarket.

Also, parents surveyed said they feel the quality of education is better when teachers are not overwhelmed with too many students. With a smaller number of students, teachers have time to individually engage with each student, improving the student’s learning capability. Most schools in bigger cities are overcrowded.

I enjoy living in Olney. I love that I can get to work in two minutes. I enjoy shopping at Stewarts and engaging in small talk with people in the community. Life is at a much slower pace here, and I have become so appreciative of taking my time on just about everything. I am healthier because of the available food choices and gorgeous green areas conducive to fitness and well-being. For me, small-town living is the epitome of living your best life!