I live in a town of 3500 people. Nearest "real" stores are an hour or so to Lincoln or Omaha. I like living in a small town, but miss the conveniences of a city and the opportunities that my kids don't have here. If ours was more pedestrian and bike friendly it would be nicer.

What I will never do is live in gated community hell again. Texas was like that. Neighborhood Nazi organizations is what we called them. It was a prison with beautiful homes, 6 foot privacy fences, fake people and plenty of fire ants. I'd rather deal with a trashed house next door than face fines for my grass and snitches for neighbors.

I told DH when we were looking for houses I wanted a town with a gas station, a real grocery store (not an IGA rip-you-off store) and decent schools.

My kids hate it here and I don't blame them. There isn't anything to do and I won't let them "troll" around town out of boredom.

It wasn't until I went to Newark for a flight to England that I realized how big a city really is. Seeing the New York City skyline blew me away as it was so stunningly beautiful. I've lived near St. Louis, Austin, and San Antonio, but this was completely different. In England, we were in Newcastle and it was a crush of people everywhere. I loved the excitement and energy. Part of me would love that kind of living but then I look up at the sky at night w/o the glare of lights and decide I like living where I'm at.