The Case for Country
“You’re moving where?! Why?!”
This response was by far the most common among acquaintances when I told them excitedly that I was leaving my Washington, DC job directing the policy program at Community Food Security Coalition to be an organizer in rural Nebraska at the Center for Rural Affairs. Not that I blame them entirely – while I did grow up in Wisconsin and am not afraid of the “Midwest fly-over zone” as coastal people like to call it, the smallest town I’d ever lived in for any length of time had a population of 65,000. It was nearly unfathomable to my east coast friends that I would want to live in a town of 963, where the nearest city of any size was 60 miles away. They searched for some reason, some justification that could explain why I would do such a thing.
After all, who doesn’t love the crowds of people, endless traffic, and always being a hair’s breadth away from being sideswiped on my bike or rundown by a bus? Or the bad air, non-existent housing, the unending concrete, and always looking over your shoulder or down an alley for someone trying to make trouble. Few stars, tiny yards, and nowhere for me to really be alone or feel at home.
What’s not to love about city life?
Yet I traded it all for an affordable house with my own kitchen and a garden that is currently giving me more tomatoes than I know what to do with. I’ve got a view of a cornfield, a community where everyone nods a hello when I pass, air that doesn’t make me wince and water I can drink out of the tap. Here in Lyons, I have everything I need on a daily basis within a very short walk: a library, a bank, the post office and the grocery store, the bar and the restaurant. There’s a gas station and convenience store, a mechanic in case I ever buy a car, a doctor and a dentist. All the stars I could ever care to look at, with lightning bugs to supplement in the summer.
Honestly, it was not a tough choice.
While driving through North Dakota last week, what struck me most when I managed to get away from the Interstate was the character and sense of community that many small towns in the Midwest have. Not only that, but I also discovered that the prairie can be breathtaking when a breeze blows over the soybean fields or a storm rolls in with its purple clouds, making the green grasses seem to glow.
As the new organizer at the Center, I look forward to getting to know the communities around me and to contributing on this space. I can’t match Dan Owen’s knack for insightful cynicism, but I hope that even if I don’t convince all our readers to move to a rural community, I at least remind you that small towns and family farms are vital components of the American fabric, and that you are moved and motivated to help us forward our mission to maintain and revitalize strong rural communities.
Comments
North Dakota
North Dakota
Welcome Steph!
Where at in North Dakota were you?
I was in Bismarck
I was in Bismarck for the Governor's Rural Community Summit. On the way up there I drove through central South Dakota (via Aberdeen), on the way back I had to take interstates 90 and 29. The picture on the post was taken in South Dakota as I was on my way to my friends' farm west of Brookings.
I'm always up for stopping to chat with folks, if you let me know where you are, I'll do my best to stop in!
Thanks!
Hey this is a great post. I'm in debt to Becky McCray for sharing it.
Like you, I converted from urban to rural. However, I moved from a much smaller city right here in the fly-over zone (Des Moines, Iowa), to my favorite part of Iowa, closer to where I grew up. I am also living in a town of about 1000 people. Although I didn't previously live in a coastal community or a massive metro area, I still appreciate what you are saying. I wouldn't trade my relaxed "real" life for the helter-skelter life of long commutes and short tempers.
One thing about your post bothers me: soon all the city people will move to the country, and then the country won't be country any more. Actually only a tongue-in-cheek worry, paraphrased from a song by the late cowboy singer, Chris LeDoux.
Citified Grandkids love the Country too
Small towns
Your post reminded me of a very cold night a few years ago when my transmission failed at 9:30 p.m.about 5 miles out of Spalding, Nebraska (on my way to a CFRA board meeting) Within a half hour, 4 different travelers had stopped to offer help. Try that on I-80, or any other major highway. The last guy found me a place in Spalding to have the car stored overnight, a shop in Grand Island, 80 miles away that would tow it in free, and a motel room in Spalding. He called the next morning to see if everything was ok.
Welcome
Welcome to the wide-open spaces of rural America. Thanks for bringing your passion and your blog, too!
Big Grin
Steph, I couldn't help but grin reading your post. Be it ever so humble, there's really no place like the Midwest. There's always some part of me that just breathes easier back in my home region. Glad to hear you're off to a great start!
City life is for young people
Welcome to rural America!
country move
I just made a country move myself to be where rent is cheaper and I could wake up to mountains. I love the city but just can't afford to live in one and would rather and good views then a suburb that doesn't have the city's charm but does have the dirty streets and lack of green.
P.S. and I'm 24 country can be for young people too.
3 decades!
What is the point..
Re: Blog for rural america
Lived in rural areas
Town vs Country the ago old debate
The Case for Country
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