As someone who was born and raised in a big city, I was a little nervous about moving to such a small town as Oberlin—where were the huge movie theaters and fast food chains open 24 hours? Given that a large portion of Obies come from cities, I figured I wasn’t alone in these worries. As I finish up my second year of college, though, I’ve found plenty of aspects of living in a small town that I really love. Sure, a movie theater with 10+ screens is nice, but Oberlin’s Apollo Theater has so much charm (and much cheaper tickets). Here are a few things I love about living in a small town compared to the city.
Walkability
This is a big one. Being able to get from one side of town to the other in 15 minutes will never cease to amaze me. You’ll see lots of bikes and a good amount of cars in Oberlin, but all you really need to get around are your own legs. As a small town, pretty much everything is close by; I can visit Slow Train for a coffee, pick up a book at the public library, and make a quick stop at Ben Franklin’s to stock up on essentials in less than an hour. Plus, I don’t have to worry about parking!
Peace and quiet
Don’t get me wrong, I still love the hustle and bustle of the city, but sometimes it’s nice to sit on a park bench and just listen to the leaves rustle with the breeze while you contemplate life. I’ve been enjoying going on early morning walks around town on the weekends (when I’m not sleeping in or recovering from a night out). It’s certainly not deserted—you’ll see plenty of people walking their dogs or lining up to get coffee—but there’s a sense of peacefulness that comes as the sun begins to fully rise that always makes me smile.
Stars!
Without all the light pollution from the city, you can see the stars in the night sky so clearly. Need I say more?
Community
If you watched Gilmore Girls or Schitt’s Creek and admired the way everyone in town knew each other and stopped to chat on the street or in the shops, you would enjoy Oberlin. Sure, you’ll see lots of college students, but you’ll also run into plenty of Oberlin town members as you make your way down Main Street. I love hanging out in the public library and seeing familiar faces in their favorite reading spots or chatting with the same dog owners I see on their daily walks. It really does feel like a close-knit community, and everyone I’ve interacted with has been nothing but friendly.
I’m back in San Francisco for the summer, so I’ll have to miss these small-town perks while I’m in the city. I’ll miss my quiet morning walks and my nights of stargazing, but I’ll be back next semester. Until then, I’ll try to appreciate the hustle and bustle while I have it….
