I moved from a town of 8,000 people to New York City. Here are 6 things I miss about small-town life - and 4 things I don't miss

If there's one thing I miss about small-town life, it's the simple luxury of walking out your front door, getting into your car, and driving to your destination. Once you're done, just hop back in and you'll be back at your front door in no time.

In New York City, going anywhere more than a mile away can be an operation. Grocery shopping, especially, has proven extremely inconvenient. When I lived in a small town, I simply parked right in front of the grocery store and only had to carry my bags to and from my car. In New York, I have to carry my heavy grocery bags multiple blocks to the subway, and then even further from the subway stop up to my fourth-floor apartment.

When doing my weekly shop, I have to take into account whether I can lug multiple heavy items like pasta sauce or milk gallons back with me, or if I'll have to split it into separate trips. Oftentimes, I'm restricted to two or three grocery bags — in the country, I could fill my car with bags and have no worries at all, knowing I could make multiple trips to and from my car if I needed to.

One upside of living in a bustling city like New York is that a lot of what you need is right outside your door. Delis, bodegas, convenience stores, coffee shops, and more are oftentimes never more than a block or two away.

When I lived in a small town, the nearest Dunkin' or McDonald's was at least a 20-minute drive away. You could roughly drive halfway across Manhattan in that same time span, and pass probably dozens of McDonald's and coffee shops.

Especially during the coronavirus pandemic, being able to step outside to grab a quick to-go coffee or takeout food from a local restaurant was much appreciated.

It's true what they say — living in New York City can be extremely expensive. Restaurants are noticeably more expensive than the ones back home, and don't even get me started on the housing market. However, I've found ways to cut corners that can save me money on food and rent.

Living with multiple roommates and taking advantage of New York City's cheap eats will save you money while living in one of the most expensive cities in the country.

A lot of restaurants in New York may be expensive, but there are so many more to choose from, including cheaper options. In New York City, we truly are spoiled for choice. There's so much to see, do, and eat, it can be overwhelming at times. Despite most restaurants being open for outdoor dining and takeout-only, having so many options makes eating well during the pandemic that much easier.

When I lived in a small town, I'd go to the same restaurants over and over again — and none of them were half as good as the places I've been to here in New York. Not to mention, when I quarantined in Connecticut at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, cooking was practically the only option as most of the local restaurants were completely shut down.

Even though most of New York's entertainment options were initially limited as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, there were still ways to get out and have fun — while wearing a mask, of course. Outdoor comedy shows, impromptu music performances in the parks, and more are fun things to do that are less common out in the country.

Now, New York is practically completely open, while there's still not much to do at home in Connecticut.

I'm about a three-hour journey from home, which usually makes it hard to see my family on a regular basis. Especially during the coronavirus pandemic, before I was fully vaccinated, going home was a lot more involved. I had to get a coronavirus test, self-isolate, and be extra careful when taking the train home.

More than anything, I miss having my mom's home-cooked meals more often — I've yet to find a spaghetti bolognese in the city that can compete with hers.

One downside of being in super close proximity to your family, neighbors, and the people who live in your town? Everybody gossips about everybody, and everybody knows everybody else's business.

News travels fast in a small town — both good and bad.

In New York City, you're practically anonymous. No one knows anything about you unless you directly tell them — they're way too busy worrying about their own busy lives to talk about yours.

I do miss the days when I wouldn't wake up in the middle of the night to the sound of sirens or car alarms going off.

Whenever I go home to Connecticut, one of the first things I always notice is how quiet it is around my house. We have no immediate neighbors, so the only sounds I can hear at night are the faint cries of coyotes in the woods behind our property or the chirping of crickets.

One part of growing up in a small, New England town is that there can sometimes be a serious lack of diversity. My hometown is admittedly comprised of mostly white, straight, and middle-class people.

Now that I live in New York City, one of the most diverse cities in the country, the difference is really striking. I love being in a place where diversity and a fight towards equality for all racial groups, sexualities, gender expressions, and more are both celebrated and encouraged.

In Connecticut — granted, I was still living in my parents' house — I had a large bedroom, sprawling backyard, and tons of spaces to hang out. Now, I live in a two-bedroom apartment, and my bedroom is approximately half the size of my one at home.

New England may have its problems, but the seasons in that part of the country are truly unrivaled. Living on a farm, I always enjoyed the natural beauty of my house and my neighborhood. Summers were hot, but I never had to stand on a crowded, dirty subway platform sweating in places I never wanted to sweat.

Driving through my hometown in the fall is nothing less than breathtaking. Growing up, I could pass a roadside lemonade or apple cider stand, historic landmarks, and multiple apple orchards on my way home from school. When I go home during the fall season, one of my favorite things to do is take a boat ride and look at the colorful leaves.

My hometown may not be a cultural epicenter like New York City, and that does have its drawbacks. However, I've come to have an appreciation for the quaint, picturesque, and neighborly lifestyle that is small-town life in New England.

Editor's note: A previous version of this story was published on Business Insider on August 14, 2020.