Getting over my moving attitude?

Question

I'm applying to jobs at tv stations all over the country. I have lived in some sort of large metropolitan area of at least 200,000 person population my whole life, and I may have to move to a smaller market. Its not that I have anything against smaller cities, but how can I get excited about moving someplace that is a very centralized population and surrounded by nothing but countryland for hundreds of miles?

Answer 1

Smaller towns are not all completely in the sticks. If you are moving to a town with a TV station, you will have some civilization, shopping, and night life. You might also gain some private space for yourself, learn about something in the outdoor world, or find a hobby that leans more toward being a bit secluded, such as having a pet, a garden, or a backyard oasis.

As far as shopping goes, you can't get anything in the biggest cities, that can't be brought to your door via internet shopping. I moved from a larger city to a house on a ranch property (literally in the woods) earlier this year (my jump was as big as yours, even though my "big city" is probably tiny in your opinion) and while I do have to prioritize my trips into town, I LOVE where I live, and the quietness of the space. In other ways, leaving the city isn't as big a leap as it used to be. Cable and internet services are available anywhere due to satellite technology, for example.

If you are openminded, you can learn to love smaller towns. There is less traffic, less noise, less pollution, less crime, lower cost of living, slower pace of life, neighborly neighbors,
a sense of community. There are good hearted people everywhere in the big cities, but sometimes it's just not safe to reach out and be friendly with someone there. In smaller towns, it is a lot easier to let your guard down and assume the best about people. This doesn't mean that bad things don't happen, or that everyone is always small town smiles and simplicity. Everyone in small towns isn't ignorant, either. Many many times, living in a smaller place is a decision made after having the choice to go anywhere. SO keep that in mind.

You do need an attitude shift in order to adjust. If people think the new guy has a chip on his shoulder, or is a big city bigshot, then you won't have very good times no matter where you go. You will coincidentally find every backwater jerkoff in town because they will sense in you that you think you are superior. However, if you get to know some people, you will find no matter where you go, folks is folks. They may have some of the same interests you have, and we all have pretty much the same needs at the end of the day. Instead of assuming that you have something to teach THEM, assume that you can learn something from them.

Best advice I can give you is to immerse yourself into the community as soon as you move. A place of worship, a gym, a visit to a barber, a library card, the local coffee shop, get yourself a doc and a dentist, and various stores where your interests lie, such as volunteerism, frequenting a bookstore or a sporting goods place, or whatever floats your boat. Then you will be meeting people and making riends, and before you know it you will be one of the locals yourself.

In all fairness, you can always make trips into the nearest bigger city when you have some down time or a long weekend. It isn't that big a deal to leave the city behind. After all, it's on all the maps...you know where it is...and after a while, you can take a buddy or a special lady with you to see the sites in your old stomping grounds.

Have fun with your new adventure!

Answer 2

Take up horseback riding!