Quote Originally Posted by OakLeaf View Post

If it weren't for street lights and security lights, I'd miss the country, but I could be fully immersed in the joys of living in town. As it is, if I had to choose one, I'd choose the country, but I do appreciate the ability to bike wherever I want to go when I'm staying in town - or walk/take transit when I'm visiting the city.

I lived for several years in a non-bikeable town. That was really the worst of both worlds. Most smaller towns in the USA are like that, I think.
Agree with everything 100%. DH thinks I am nuts sometimes - I have curtains for our windows for when our neighbors leave their outside light on, and I'll get up and turn off our outside light - which is at the far end of the house from our room - because just that little bit coming through the window at the other end of the house will make me wake a few times during the night. I also insist on low light in the house at night. He's really bad about turning on the big recessed lights - which make the house brighter than day. I think he's finally understanding that when he does that... he can't fall asleep even hours after bedtime.

I prefer country, but need to be a little closer to civilization than we are now. We live in a tiny nothing town, but I am seconds from some of the best country cycling this country has to offer. I want to be closer to Chattanooga for things like, organic groceries, restaurants and "date nights" - currently, that's an hour drive. Oh, and closer to jobs.