{"id":19345,"date":"2023-02-21T09:17:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-21T16:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.richmondamerican.com\/blog\/?p=19345"},"modified":"2025-05-12T14:13:54","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T20:13:54","slug":"small-town-living","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.richmondamerican.com\/blog\/small-town-living\/","title":{"rendered":"The Growing Appeal of Small Town Living"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Working from home has become a way of life for many Americans\u2014a shift that\u2019s empowered house hunters to look beyond the range of an office commute when considering their next move. The freedom to choose a neighborhood based on other factors, like local lifestyle, area amenities, suitable schools, proximity to friends and family, and cost of living has helped fuel resurging interest<\/a> in small town living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to a recent Gallup\u00ae survey, between 2018 and 2021<\/a> the appeal of small town living increased from 39% to 48%, particularly among younger adults. In the wake of the pandemic, the U.S. saw growth within some of its rural sectors as urban dwellers sought out a more relaxed way of life that can be hard to come by in cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, a less-hectic lifestyle isn\u2019t the only benefit of living in a small town!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost of living is typically lower in a small town.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Actual costs vary from place to place, but it\u2019s likely local retail, housing and service prices are lower than what you\u2019ll find in big metros, reflecting the lower demand. Cost-of-living calculators like this one on BestPlaces.net<\/a> make it easy to get an idea of what you\u2019ll need to budget in a prospective place, and how that compares to what you\u2019re currently paying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traffic is generally better in a small town.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Any town can have road work delays and rush hour congestion, but the scale (and stress!) of small-town traffic is generally less. Use your favorite mapping app to preview an area\u2019s estimated travel times at different times of day to get a feel for traffic flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crime rates are often lower in many small towns.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While a small town doesn\u2019t always mean a small crime rate, it\u2019s often a safer choice. According to a recent analysis by MoneyGeek<\/a>, small cities and towns have 42% lower crime costs than larger cities and their violent crime rates are nearly half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Noise and light pollution can be lower in a small town.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Big cities rarely sleep, and that always-on energy makes it hard to find quiet places to unwind and enjoy the outdoors in peace. Stargazing, catching fireflies, birdwatching and many other nature-oriented hobbies can be much easier to enjoy in a rural setting.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Homeownership may be more prevalent (and attainable!) in a small town.  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In many small towns,<\/a> the ratio of homeowners to renters is higher than what you\u2019d find in a more densely populated place. That can lend itself to tighter-knit communities, as it\u2019s easier to get to know neighbors who plan to stay in one spot for a while. When you\u2019re house hunting, you may find greater value per square foot or larger yards, if land demand is cooler. A rural location may also open up financing options you might not have in other communities, such as a USDA loan<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re considering making a move to a small town, you\u2019re in luck! Richmond American builds in a number of small towns throughout the country:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hazel Green, Alabama<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"forest<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Approx. population: 4,100
Where we build:<\/strong> Friendship Ridge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Red Rock, Arizona<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"parks<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Approx. population: 2,625
Where we build:<\/strong> Seasons at Red Rock<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Valley Center, California<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"lush<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Approx. population: 9,275
Where we build:<\/strong> Seasons at Park Circle<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elizabeth, Colorado<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"rural<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Approx. population: 1,675
Where we build:<\/strong> Independence<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monument, Colorado<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"natural<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Approx. population: 10,400
Where we build:<\/strong> Willow Springs Ranch<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Severance, Colorado<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"hiker<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Approx. population: 8,500
Where we build:<\/strong> Seasons at Hunters Crossing<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brunswick, Maryland<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"small<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Approx. population: 7,750
Where we build:<\/strong> Brunswick Crossing<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Estacada, Oregon<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"gazebo<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Approx. population: 4,350
Where we build:<\/strong> Cascadia Ridge<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stewartstown, Pennsylvania<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"pastoral<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Approx. population: 2,125
Where we build:<\/strong> Mayberry at Stewartstown<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

White Bluff, Tennessee<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"recreational<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Approx. population: 3,850
Where we build: <\/strong>Timber Crest<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salem, Utah<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"hilly<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Approx. population: 9,300
Where we build:<\/strong> Seasons at Salem Park<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

King George, Virginia<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"wooded<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Approx. population: 4,975
Where we build:<\/strong> Hopyard Farm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orange, Virginia<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"historical<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Approx. population: 4,725
Where we build:<\/strong> Seasons at Round Hill Meadows<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"Man<\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n

Be the first to hear about special offers!<\/h4>\n

Stay up to date on new neighborhoods and floor plans, special offers and more. Sign up for local email alerts.<\/p>\n

I’m in!<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Working from home has become a way of life for many Americans\u2014a shift that\u2019s empowered house hunters to look beyond the range of an office commute when considering their next move. The freedom to choose a neighborhood based on other factors, like local lifestyle, area amenities, suitable schools, proximity to friends and family, and cost of living has helped fuel resurging interest in small town living.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19358,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"ub_ctt_via":"","cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[260],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.richmondamerican.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/SmallTown.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"rahblogadmin","author_link":"https:\/\/www.richmondamerican.com\/blog\/author\/rahblogadmin\/"},"yoast_head":"\r\nThe Growing Appeal of Small Town Living - Richmond American Homes<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"There are many reasons to buy a home in a small town the next time you\u2019re ready to relocate. 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