All my life, my parents crowed about how much they loved the "small-town" life. I, in turn, would roll my eyes and tell them how someday I was going to move to New York City. I loved the hustle, the bustle, the crowded streets, the feeling that you're "where it's at". Or, I THOUGHT I did anyway. (I should mention that, at this point in time, I had never actually been to New York City.)
And then I went to NYC. I saw the smelly, garbage-ridden streets, the claustrophobic crowds on the sidewalks, the ugliness and unfriendliness of the people. Then I became a parent. I pictured trying to navigate my stroller through mobs of pretentious, self-absorbed New Yorkers with attitudes the size of New York itself and no mercy for anyone having a hard time.
No way in the world. Over my dead body. I don't mean to pick on New York here, I could be talking about any city. Especially since becoming a mom, I find myself turning more and more away from the city, away from the hustle and bustle. I want wide open spaces, I want to see the stars, I want to not have to worry about traffic noises waking up my baby. I now want that "small town" life.
I guess everything comes full-circle, huh?
I think there are a lot of good things about urban life too, though. We live about five miles outside of a major city and love it. We love all the access we have to things like high quality museums, zoos, aquariums, and other educational and cultural experiences for our kids. There is also a lot more diversity here then there was in the small town my husband and I grew up in, and we think growing up in a multicultural community is important for our children.
ReplyDeleteWe're lucky, though, because my in-laws live a little over an hour a way in the small town where my husband and I grew up so we get the best of both worlds. When we go there for the weekend, the kids get to run and play on tractors and walk in the woods and look up at the stars.
That's true- I didn't think about that. I'm thinking maybe suburbia is the way to go- I'd at least like a yard. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome about your in-laws! I wish mine were that close!