When we moved to Jasper several people asked, "How do you like living in a small town?" Answer: WE LOVE IT! We were both born and raised in small, rural, towns but moved to the city for a few years while we were working on our education. And although we loved the convenience and culture of urban areas we've found there are many reasons to love life in the small town. Here are some of our favorites:
1. It only takes about 5 minutes to get anywhere in Jasper (the downside is there just aren't that many places to go!)
2. Wal-Mart is never crowded no matter what time it is. I used to dread going to Wal-Mart like going to the dentist for a root canal, but here its never that bad. Sure, they still need to learn to open more than 2 registers at any one time but that's just the Wal-Mart phenomenon. At least no one is pitching a fit in line or running you over with their cart.
3. Small-town, Southern people are infinitely more polite than anywhere else in the United States....lots of maam's, sir's, darlin's, sweetie's, honey's, and sugar's.
4. Housing is MUCH cheaper here....you get a lot more for the money! We hope to buy a house in the next few years and about fell over when we scanned the real estate ads. It was a nice change from big city prices!
5. There are no traffic jams (could be due to having only 3 stoplights in town) and road rage is kept to a minimum (at no point is the speed limit higher than 45 mph within Jasper city limits). There's also a smaller chance that I'm going to get lost while driving somewhere. My GPS (Gertrude Garmin) isn't seeing as much action as she did in Kansas City.
6. The waiters at local restaurants know you by name and can usually remember what you order. For example: At Rafael's they know I always order Chicken Slouvaki with Cucumber Dip on the side. The waitress doesn't even have to ask me anymore! I love it!
7. I know my postman's name (Paul) and the sweet little lady who own's the drycleaners knows Kevin and has his order ready when she sees him walk in. What service!
8. Locally owned shops have unique items and low prices. I can get a Marion County Warriors t-shirt at Maximum Sports (on the town square) for $7. I can go to Hammers and get anything (really, I mean anything) for CHHEEAAPPP.
9. The sweet tea is perfection (ask Kevin!) and we lay claim to come of the best cooks anywhere. About once a week Ms. Maudie cooks for some of the older folks in town who can't get out and she always bring a plate over for Kevin and me (its a pastor perk). Her meatloaf may be the best thing I've ever put in my mouth...this is coming from someone who usually feels that the word "loaf" is bad news when attached to "meat." People here take eating seriously and since its our main hobby we fit right in.
10. We've made so many friends that we're getting to know well because life is slower here...people have a little more time for each other. For example, some of my little church girls were in a wedding on Saturday and they came by the house just so I could see them all dolled up with their hair curled. A weekend never goes by that we aren't invited to dinner with a family we know, out to look at Christmas lights, or to one of our kid's sporting events or school plays. Very few rush off after church on Sundays. Everyone sticks around a while to talk and catch up on the week. If your car breaks down, you need a new doctor, dentist, or hairdresser, or your house needs fixing there's always someone who "knows someone" that can fix it for you.
We realize small town life isn't for everyone but we like it. We like it because we're loved by the people here and we love them back. Come see us and you can experience it yourself.
Now we know why Andy loved life in Mayberry,
Mandy
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