Family of 5 Trades City Life for Small Town

A family of five recently made the decision to leave a major city in North Carolina for a small town in eastern North Carolina. The move was driven by a desire for a slower pace of living and a response to a family health concern. Upon arrival, the family discovered that small-town life offers more space, a lower cost of living, and a distinct community feel.

While entertainment options differ from the city, the family has embraced the abundance of outdoor activities available to them. The transition brought unexpected joys alongside the challenges of leaving a familiar environment. The family noted that while they miss certain aspects of city life, the overall quality of life has improved significantly due to the change in location and pace.

The move was precipitated by a combination of long-standing preferences and immediate family needs. The mother of the family had grown up in a small town in eastern North Carolina but left immediately after high school for college in Philly. She fell in love with big-city life and subsequently lived in the largest city in North Carolina for nearly two decades.

However, when her father's health began to decline, she and her husband decided to move their family of five back to her small hometown. They were initially unsure how the transition would go, but they quickly discovered there are distinct pros and cons to each location. The decision marked a return to roots that had been left behind years ago.

The contrast in environment was immediate and striking. The week before the move, the mother was stuck in a traffic jam caused by city construction. She recalled calling her husband and exclaiming, "This is like 95% of why we're moving!" The frustration with traffic was a major motivator.

On the first day of dropping the children off at their new school, she was shocked to discover the school was situated in the middle of farmland. She immediately posted a picture on social media referencing the popular song by The Chicks. The definition of traffic changed from busy highways to getting stuck on a one-lane road behind farm equipment. The space is described as welcome and refreshing, allowing the family to watch the sunset every night, something they could not do at their previous home.

Entertainment options required a significant adjustment. The new location lacks the nightlife and five-star restaurants found in the city. There are no professional sports teams for the NFL, NBA, NHL, or MLS, nor are there elaborate theatres hosting traveling Broadway shows.

Despite these losses, the family found plenty of replacements:

• Outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, kayaking, and waterskiing
• An adorable downtown area resembling a Hallmark movie setting
• Local boutiques, breweries, cocktail bars, and coffee shops
• A local children's theatre company described as shockingly close
• Regular festivals and community events

When they really want to see a big show or catch an NFL game in person, the big city is only a 3 1/2-hour drive away.

The family approached the local school system with caution. Based on scores, they felt they were leaving one of the best schools in the state for one of the worst. There are definite disadvantages, particularly in high school, where there are fewer AP options and no IB program offered.

However, they found a great STEM magnet school, and the children thrived in a less competitive environment. The son became a starter in three sports and the top tennis player, opportunities he would not have had in his former big city school. Regarding community, the mother noted that while they had a strong sense of community in the city, small-town living is different. She stated, "You truly cannot go anywhere in the town we live in without running into someone you know. Or fifteen people you know." She acknowledges this is both a pro and a con.

The financial benefits of the move were undeniable. The family found that they got much more for their money in the small town. They were fortunate to remodel an old family home, but even without that, the savings were substantial. Lakefront homes in their current private club neighborhood cost less than half as much per square foot as basic suburban homes in their old neighborhood.

The difference in the quality of life the family is getting for so much less money is described as unbelievable. The move required giving up some urban conveniences, but the family gained new experiences and financial freedom. For those considering a similar move, the experience demonstrates that while you leave some things behind, you gain awesome new things in return.