Small Town Charm

I was hoping to post about the new gallery wall we hung today, but I didn't prepare any photos ahead of time, and the lighting is pretty uninspiring today, along with my brain, so I'll have to put it off a bit. But I have been trying to get into the habit of posting here three times a week, so I'm sharing instead this photo I snapped last weekend when Jordan and I were out and about visiting a nearby town. I've been pretty surprised at how easily I've adapted to living in a small town myself and how much I love it. Whenever we find ourselves in the "big city" now I always find it a bit extreme. Maybe there's a big city in my future, but for now I'm happy to live the small town life. How about you? Do you live in a small town, a big city, something in between? Do you like it? What's your ideal size?

Tags:

photography,

daily life

Recent Comments

Donna Bell Sun, 11/09/2014 - 07:02

This photo reminds me of a house in Alfred Station, NY where a large Paddington Bear sits on the porch; each day his attire gives the weather forecast. There are also tree carved into bears and other critters. The porch where Paddington sits is the entrance to a really nice country store. We used to get the Hottest fireballs there along with the really nice items that only a place like that would have on display. It's been years now since we were there, makes me wonder if anyone still has it going!

Shannon Maguire Mon, 10/20/2014 - 13:16

I live in a rural area in the middle of a regional forest, and I love it. The good news is, there is a mid-sized city just 10 minutes away, and we're only about 30 minutes from Toronto (where we work). So it's really the best of both worlds. I grew up in the country so it's nice to be back after so many years in the concrete jungle.

Callie Douglass Mon, 10/20/2014 - 08:20

We live in a small town. We love being close to a lake and the mountains. Plus we have a field of cows right next door!

Marisa Lerin Mon, 10/20/2014 - 07:54

Great to hear about all your home places! Thanks for sharing!

Dawn Evans Mon, 10/20/2014 - 07:05

Hi Marisa - I grew up in the Welsh Valleys which is like lots of villages string together like beads on a necklace. I spent the next 27 years living in London which is as big as it gets in the UK and for the last 4 years we've moved to an English village with 1500 people (our street in London had more than 1500 people!!). So I've done both and there are benefits and negatives associated with both worlds. I think different places have suited us at different times in our life. For now, we're loving the country.

Tiffany Johnstone Sat, 10/18/2014 - 19:42

we live in the suburbs of Atlanta.
Our town is small, but the metro area is HUGE, so we get the best of all worlds, I think.
Although I could do without all the traffic.

Susan Cantin Sat, 10/18/2014 - 11:59

Up until 2 years ago we lived in rural Ottawa beside what was once a small village and I miss it big time. We have things here we didn't have there like a place to take a walk including three parks but I miss my trees and knowing everybody I ran into in the village ... it is easier for us here in the 'big' city of Ottawa proper though at this part of our lives

Kimmie Fido Sat, 10/18/2014 - 10:28

We live near Dartmouth College - small town feel but lots of amenities close by. Grew up in a town closer to Concord NH of similar size but without the "community" feel that the Upper Valley has - one of the big draws that keeps us here. My hubby and I went to college in New Orleans - that's enough "big city" living for us! Now if we need that, we can take a trip to Boston which is only a few hours away - but
close enough :)

Tina Shaw Sat, 10/18/2014 - 08:34

Big city girl! Our population is almost 800,000 and we're the 17th largest city in the U.S.! But I love it! The town I grew up in was about 35,000 but I always begged my mom to move to the "big city". She waited until I graduated from high school then MOVED! :P We followed soon after. I love having all these amenities nearby! BUT, my family still lives in small towns (populations under 1,000) and I can go visit them anytime! :)

Jack "E" Abad Fri, 10/17/2014 - 21:20

I live in a small two too. When it comes to a place to live I'd rather it not be too big and not too small. It has to be just right, LOL! A big thing with me in terms of where I live is its diversity. I went to an event earlier this year and everyone looked the same, it felt weird to me like the twilight zone.

p.s--Kudos Marisa for setting the goal of posting three times a week. I sometimes find it difficult to post to my blog(s) once a week, LOL! :D

elaine nowak Fri, 10/17/2014 - 17:09

We live in a small town, but it is the county seat and has a lot of good shopping and amenities. Right in the heart of golf and ski country in Northern Michigan. It is a pretty great place to live and I really wouldn't want to move anywhere else.

Elif Şahin Fri, 10/17/2014 - 13:55

I live in capital and I am so bored of it, I like small towns and houses with garden.. I like the house in the photo, it looks crowd but nice :) especially love that bottle mobile!

Julie Cowan Fri, 10/17/2014 - 12:57

We live in a big town by Montana standards--70,000, but I am a country girl all the way. I am happiest when out in the woods, driving a scenic byway, up in the mountains, fishing, camping, or just enjoying God's green Earth.

Sarah Palmer Fri, 10/17/2014 - 12:44

We live in a very small town - pop 2400 - in the hills of WMass. It may be tiny, but there's a nice, old-fashioned general store, a great (locally owned) bank, a market (with a real butcher) the library, post office, & pharmacy all within walking distance. It's fabulously Mayberry-esque only with a female police chief! The absolutely best part is that we are surrounded by bigger places with lots of culture, especially Northampton MA (Smith College, great restaurants, & lots of touring music). To add to the wonderfulness, we are within easy driving distance of Boston, Maine (the Maine coast is one of my favorite places), VT, NH, upstate NY plus the major bonus, it's a fast train trip into NYC.

tl/dr - I love living in a small town but there's no way I could do it without having Northampton, NYC, & the Maine coast nearby. I need my small & big city & my ocean fixes regularly!!

Blog By

Marisa Lerin

About Me

Hi There! I’m Marisa Lerin and you’ll see me around at DigitalScrapbook.com a lot. I started this site in 2010 soon after I discovered a new love in digital scrapbooking. DigitalScrapbook.com has gone through some significant changes since that time and it’s grown into this lovely community site you are seeing now. I am daily surprised by the turn of life’s events that has led me down this path. If you're new to the site, welcome! Here are a few tidbits about me that I hope will help you get to know me better!

I’m originally from Minnesota, USA, but spent a good chunk of my childhood living abroad (in Bolivia and Hong Kong). I returned to Minnesota to attend university, got married and then moved overseas again (Korea, then Jordan and 1 year of traveling). My designs are heavily influenced by these many nomadic years. I am currently back in the USA, now living in the great state of Oregon!

I have no official training for what I’m doing, since I decided very wisely (haha) to study physics in university. I am always learning new things about digital scrapbooking, and this community has been immensely helpful for that!

If I manage to stop digital scrapbooking you will probably find me watching TV, reading or baking. I also enjoy writing for the blog here at DigitalScrapbook.com where I talk about whatever happens to be catching my fancy at the moment.