10 reasons I loved growing up in a small town

The first time I took my partner on a hike in my small hometown, everyone we passed on the trail waved and greeted us.

"Do you know these people?" he asked.

"No, that's just what you do here," I said.

In New York City where I live now, it's considered rude to acknowledge another person's presence as you're going about your business. In small towns, it's rude if you don't.

I got my driver's license weeks after I turned 16, and I used to drive myself everywhere. Having an entire trunk to fill with groceries and housewares was so much easier than lugging heavy bags on public transportation. And I'd rather sit in traffic in a comfortable car than a crowded, delayed subway any day.

Sure, farmer's markets are great, but when you live a 10-minute drive from the farm, why not pick fruits and vegetables yourself? I loved going to pick-your-own farms just off the main road and seeing where our produce actually came from.

Independent bookstores in small towns are a dying breed with the rise of Amazon and other online retailers, but I hope they never truly disappear. In my experience, employees at small bookstores know just how to give the perfect recommendations, care deeply about literature, and put on the coolest events.

Growing up, I had the opportunity to meet several of my elected representatives. I even interviewed one of my US senators for our school newspaper in 8th grade (yes, I got my start in journalism early). In a city and state with a much larger population, my elected officials aren't as accessible.

In a small town, you're in school with the same group of people from kindergarten through high school. When you've spent that many years with someone, those friendships last a lifetime. Before you know it, you're buying wedding and baby gifts for people you've known since you were a baby.

There wasn't a lot to do in the town where I grew up. Even the one Starbucks in the town closed before dinnertime. But going for a drive with the radio playing and the wind blowing with no destination in mind was always a solid option.

Without the light pollution of a big city, the night sky is filled with stars. And I didn't really have to worry about the safety of being out late at night, since everyone else in the town was probably sleeping anyway.

Going to state and county fairs always made me feel like I was living in a movie. Unfortunately, many of these events have been canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but some states are organizing fair food drive thrus so that people can still enjoy the characteristic treats.

Residents of small towns look out for each other. If someone is sick, people bring food. If someone needs help, people offer it. When a family friend's son recently had to cancel his bar mitzvah celebration due to the pandemic, my community threw him a drive-by "car mitzvah" instead. During happy and challenging times, people feel a sense of responsibility for each other in a way that large cities just can't replicate.

• Read more:
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• I'm from Wisconsin. Here are 11 things you should never say to someone from the Midwest.