Living in Small Towns is Better - Essay Example

 Living in Small Towns is Better “Rush hour,” is what one says when living in a big city. The main problems experienced in big cities are traffic jams, air pollution, noise pollution, difficulty of obtaining daily necessities, and finally the cost of living. Although big cities are well equipped with all required amenities, they lack peace of mind that can be found in smaller towns. Living in a small town is better than living in a big city for three main reasons, besides several other reasons.

Firstly, small towns are free from problems like traffic jams, air pollution, and noise pollution. Peace of mind can be experienced only in small towns because they are free from such problems. The fact that people living in smaller towns live longer than people living in bigger cities was proven in Japan. In one of the studies conducted on residents of Okinawa, a small town in Japan, it was proven that these residents lived for relatively longer time compared to other residents of big cities.

The reason for their long life was attributed to the peaceful atmosphere that existed there. Incidence of health-related problems like stroke, caused due to nervous tensions and/or emotions, was higher in big cities due to the rushed and busy life. Living a normal life mainly requires peace of mind, which is possible through a calm life style and can be found only in a small town. Secondly, smaller towns are more safe and secure to live a normal life. Instances of road traffic accidents, crimes, and thefts are much lesser in small towns compared to big cities.

People can travel to any place and at any time, even after midnight, without fear. Level of safety in small towns can be assessed based upon the fact that people in small towns rarely lock their doors. Road traffic accidents are also extremely rare in small towns, probably due to less heavy-vehicle and car traffic. The number of people who use cars for traveling is very less in small towns. For these reasons, smaller towns are much safer and more secure.The third good reason for living in a small town is its much cheaper and affordable cost of living.

Quoting an example of cost of utilities, in Florida, for a two-bedroom apartment, I had to pay $150 towards electricity bill, whereas in Utah, I pay only $70 for a town house. There is a huge difference in the cost of real estate of a big city and a small town. A friend of mine in Los Angeles pays around $1600 for a two-bedroom apartment. Another friend living in Salt Lake pays around $1000 for an apartment of the same area in a decent locality. Cost of living could have been one of the main reasons why people started migrating to small towns.

One more important reason that indicates why living in small towns is better than living in big cities is the strength of social relations that exists in small towns. Although big cities are more equipped with all kinds of amenities and entertainment sources, negative aspects linked to lack of peace of mind and lower safety levels make them less favorable for living compared to small towns.