Once you find a small city with the positive features of a large city (albeit, on a micro scale) you’ll start to notice other benefits as well. Nature benefits.
The following “micropolitan benefits” don’t always get the press they deserve. The main benefits were recently highlighted in a Yahoo article, but I’ve added some additional food-for-thought:
Dragonfly in a tree, by Krikit ♥, Flickr
Stars – Fewer lights = less light pollution. You don’t have to be a serious stargazer to appreciate the wonder…and all the easier to do if you’re away from the “big city” and enjoying life in a carefully selected micropolitan.
Fresh Air – Too many people live and breathe dangerous air. Small cities aren’t immune, but, they frequently rate better air quality. Look for small cities with a commitment to fresh air via tree plantings (e.g. Tree City USA certification and/or local groups). Consider how you can impact your micro-climate by planting additional trees if moving to a small city will enable you to buy property or land.
Reduced Noise – Strangely, noise reduction can be unsettling at first. It’s pretty amazing how you get accustomed to a certain level. However, it’s a welcome improvement and stress reducer with time.
Greenery – When we moved from New York City I barely knew the the difference between a tulip and a sunflower. Now I’m eagerly plotting additional ways to expand the diversity of flowers, trees, and shrubs in our yard. (Also briefly maintained a tiny urban farm on an empty lot nearby, but damn, that’s a lot of work!) Who knew gardening would be so satisfying? Gardening is part science, part art, part healthy interaction with nature. A big plus!
Sounds of Nature – The kind of soundtrack that makes you feel connected to something larger than yourself.
Animals and Wildlife – Sometimes pesky, sometimes a real pain… but more than you’ll ever see in denser, larger cities outside the parks you’re forced to share with everyone else. Despite negative stereotypes, not everyone in a small town likes to hunt!
