Hi Everyone,
Good luck on your immigration journeys! Anyways, I was wondering if any of you have moved from an urban city to rural country environment, or from a rural country to urban city environment, when you moved here to the USA? If so, compared to your old environment in your former country, how was it same and/or different when you moved to this new living environment in the USA?
Ant
Full Version: Urban to Rural or Rural to Urban Environment Change....
Well.. I moved from a city of about 60,000 to a town of about 5000... so there is some adjustment there for sure. My biggest adjustment is in transportation. I had a car and public transport in the city I was in previously, where here, we have limited access to trains, and no bus service. We live in a large apt. complex, and there are people around, but because my husband is new to the area as well, we both don't know anyone in our community. I am used to rural life (grew up in the country), and I'm coping.. and we travel into bigger centers frequently. I think my biggest change is just the ability or lack there of getting around. When hubby leaves for work, I am home alone. Hopefully in the future when I am authorized to work etc. we'll pick up a second vehicle, and I'll have my mobility back again! It's worth it though, don't get me wrong! I was well aware of the change that would occur when I sold my car, and what that would mean for the first while! It will just take time, and this too shall pass!
I moved from London, population of around 7 million, to Trenton, Illinois... population at the last census, 2700 !!
Yeah it takes some getting used to but I think I'm pretty well adjusted to the distances and the fact that you have to drive EVERYWHERE !!. Now it doesn't seem a hassle to drive 20 minutes for groceries of 30 minutes to the mall. I also don't even think now that I have a 1 hour commute to work every day. Luckily (for me anyway) we only live about 25 miles east of St. Louis so I get to travel into the 'big city' every day for work. I would have HATED to have ended up working in Trenton but working in St. Louis has allowed me to have a slightly larger 'world' than folks who live and work locally.
As for small town living, just like city living, it has it's pro's and con's. I like the idea of living in a virtually crime free community. I like the idea that my stepdaughter can go out and play with friends without us worrying she'll be knocked over by a bus. I like the idea that when Debs and I have kids of our own, they'll also get to grow up in that safe and friendly community. The flip side is that a lot of people who live in Trenton have ALWAYS lived in Trenton. For that reason I don't really feel like I belong or that I can fully participate in the community events (which there are lots of). I'm sure that will change with time and to be honest, Trenton Dairy day is not something I'm in a huge rush to attend. I also don't really like that everyone knows everyone elses business. Back in London I had friends and family but could choose how anonymous I wanted to be amongst strangers. Here It's npt quite so easy to blend in to the back ground, especially with an accent etc.
I expect that we will remain in this neck of the woods for some time to come and I'm fine with that. Housing is affordable, schools are good and it really isn't a bad place to live. As long as I can get some of my old city fix, either by going to work or having an occasional night out downtown, I'll be good to go !!
Mark
Yeah it takes some getting used to but I think I'm pretty well adjusted to the distances and the fact that you have to drive EVERYWHERE !!. Now it doesn't seem a hassle to drive 20 minutes for groceries of 30 minutes to the mall. I also don't even think now that I have a 1 hour commute to work every day. Luckily (for me anyway) we only live about 25 miles east of St. Louis so I get to travel into the 'big city' every day for work. I would have HATED to have ended up working in Trenton but working in St. Louis has allowed me to have a slightly larger 'world' than folks who live and work locally.
As for small town living, just like city living, it has it's pro's and con's. I like the idea of living in a virtually crime free community. I like the idea that my stepdaughter can go out and play with friends without us worrying she'll be knocked over by a bus. I like the idea that when Debs and I have kids of our own, they'll also get to grow up in that safe and friendly community. The flip side is that a lot of people who live in Trenton have ALWAYS lived in Trenton. For that reason I don't really feel like I belong or that I can fully participate in the community events (which there are lots of). I'm sure that will change with time and to be honest, Trenton Dairy day is not something I'm in a huge rush to attend. I also don't really like that everyone knows everyone elses business. Back in London I had friends and family but could choose how anonymous I wanted to be amongst strangers. Here It's npt quite so easy to blend in to the back ground, especially with an accent etc.
I expect that we will remain in this neck of the woods for some time to come and I'm fine with that. Housing is affordable, schools are good and it really isn't a bad place to live. As long as I can get some of my old city fix, either by going to work or having an occasional night out downtown, I'll be good to go !!
Mark
Hi Everyone,
Good luck on your immigration journey. Thanks for your replies. Likewise, I've had to move from the big urban city of Toronto (population 6 million people) to a small rural town in New York State (the small town with the population of 2000 people or so).
Oh and in case you were wondering, the nearest big city (from where I am located now), is Buffalo, NY, which is about 1 1/2 hrs away, and frankly, I have no need to go there (lol...the last time I went there was for the immigration interview, which was several months ago). Or for that matter, I have no need to go to any big city at all. I remember thinking to myself when I last visited a big city (both back to Toronto and to Buffalo), "How the heck did I ever survive in a big city all those years growing up?"
I admit, I did find it a big adjustment going from city to country, was harder than the adjustment of going from Canada to the USA. Nevertheless, I love it here in the USA countryside! I would never ever go back to city life ever again!
What I love about living in a small town:
a) Friendly people, where "everyone knows your name"
b ) Beautiful scenery and nature in the area
c) The quiteness and relaxed atmosphere
d) Driving everywhere (it sure beats crowded public transportation, yuck)
e) The safe and crime-free environment
And the most important of all to me....f) f=family, as in my husband and my family are here
Ant
Good luck on your immigration journey. Thanks for your replies. Likewise, I've had to move from the big urban city of Toronto (population 6 million people) to a small rural town in New York State (the small town with the population of 2000 people or so).
Oh and in case you were wondering, the nearest big city (from where I am located now), is Buffalo, NY, which is about 1 1/2 hrs away, and frankly, I have no need to go there (lol...the last time I went there was for the immigration interview, which was several months ago). Or for that matter, I have no need to go to any big city at all. I remember thinking to myself when I last visited a big city (both back to Toronto and to Buffalo), "How the heck did I ever survive in a big city all those years growing up?"
I admit, I did find it a big adjustment going from city to country, was harder than the adjustment of going from Canada to the USA. Nevertheless, I love it here in the USA countryside! I would never ever go back to city life ever again!
What I love about living in a small town:
a) Friendly people, where "everyone knows your name"
b ) Beautiful scenery and nature in the area
c) The quiteness and relaxed atmosphere
d) Driving everywhere (it sure beats crowded public transportation, yuck)
e) The safe and crime-free environment
And the most important of all to me....f) f=family, as in my husband and my family are here
Ant
Hubby & I just visited NYC on President's Day. We came home from the trip - EXHAUSTED.. just from the people everywhere.. (and remember it's a holiday so there's probably not as many "people" as normal).. tee hee..
Anyway, we both feel like the smaller town is where we want to be. We both grew up in smaller places. Me being Canadian (I think), means I think a little "green thinking" than my husband, and I hate the fact that he drives 1/2 hr to work every day in an empty car. That's pretty normal to him, but I keep asking questions like "Is the train very expensive?, do you know anyone going that way every day?".. I would love to use public transporation to get to work (whenever we cross that bridge), but as of right now, there is no viable way for me to use that in this small town. *sigh.. I guess I need to just forgo the "green ways"
Anyway, we both feel like the smaller town is where we want to be. We both grew up in smaller places. Me being Canadian (I think), means I think a little "green thinking" than my husband, and I hate the fact that he drives 1/2 hr to work every day in an empty car. That's pretty normal to him, but I keep asking questions like "Is the train very expensive?, do you know anyone going that way every day?".. I would love to use public transporation to get to work (whenever we cross that bridge), but as of right now, there is no viable way for me to use that in this small town. *sigh.. I guess I need to just forgo the "green ways"
Hi Emancipation,
Good luck on your immigration journey. Glad you had a good time in NYC. Yeah, I know that the city can be overwhelming, and one needs a holiday from a holiday filled with people too. Hmmm...not sure if the "green thinking" thing only applies to Canadians, as it should be a worldwide issue, regardless of one's country of origin. After all, we only have one earth to live on...Perhaps in a situation where there is no public transportation (like in your town), the best thing to do is to carpool with other who are going in the same direction and/or going to the same place? How small is the town that you are in, if you don't mind me asking?
Ant
Good luck on your immigration journey. Glad you had a good time in NYC. Yeah, I know that the city can be overwhelming, and one needs a holiday from a holiday filled with people too. Hmmm...not sure if the "green thinking" thing only applies to Canadians, as it should be a worldwide issue, regardless of one's country of origin. After all, we only have one earth to live on...Perhaps in a situation where there is no public transportation (like in your town), the best thing to do is to carpool with other who are going in the same direction and/or going to the same place? How small is the town that you are in, if you don't mind me asking?
Ant
QUOTE(Emancipation @ Feb 22 2007, 10:49 AM) 
Hubby & I just visited NYC on President's Day. We came home from the trip - EXHAUSTED.. just from the people everywhere.. (and remember it's a holiday so there's probably not as many "people" as normal).. tee hee..
Anyway, we both feel like the smaller town is where we want to be. We both grew up in smaller places. Me being Canadian (I think), means I think a little "green thinking" than my husband, and I hate the fact that he drives 1/2 hr to work every day in an empty car. That's pretty normal to him, but I keep asking questions like "Is the train very expensive?, do you know anyone going that way every day?".. I would love to use public transporation to get to work (whenever we cross that bridge), but as of right now, there is no viable way for me to use that in this small town. *sigh.. I guess I need to just forgo the "green ways"
Anyway, we both feel like the smaller town is where we want to be. We both grew up in smaller places. Me being Canadian (I think), means I think a little "green thinking" than my husband, and I hate the fact that he drives 1/2 hr to work every day in an empty car. That's pretty normal to him, but I keep asking questions like "Is the train very expensive?, do you know anyone going that way every day?".. I would love to use public transporation to get to work (whenever we cross that bridge), but as of right now, there is no viable way for me to use that in this small town. *sigh.. I guess I need to just forgo the "green ways"
London to Greencastle (approx 10,000 people). I like it. Quiet, peaceful and lots of trees! 
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