The Perils of a small town.

It’s been about 4 years since I moved out of Canada’s largest city into a small town. It’s not as though I was unfamiliar with this town - I grew up in it. However, 17 years later, I returned with my wife - who was also from a small town.

I began to think how different things were in this small town and how much it had changed.

I only realized after a while it was only that I had changed. This small town had not changed much at all.

I guess living in a small town has its benefits. I knew more people and things became more familiar. However, I had to wonder what changes were happening in me as a result.

For one, I couldn’t let my ‘freak flag fly.’ In the city I was truly an eccentric character, often heading out in strange apparel. I had odd interests, but was truly successful. In the small town though people felt as though they should criticize as they became more familiar.

Having a diverse range of interests didn’t really work well. I was told by my employer at the time (the board of education) that the board was ‘not comfortable with my outside interests.’ I was president of a zoo and an active member of an economic development unit. As long as I did my job (and I received the highest rating you could get at my job) what was the problem?

It seems everyone in the town wanted things to get better - so long as nothing changed.

After 4 years, I’ve had enough. It’s back to the city for me. Small town has its place, but some people just need the city life.