Big Move to a Small Town

I'm getting calls from folks who say, "I hear you moved to a very small town. I'm thinking of doing the same. What's it really like?"

1. Check out your town's unique personality.

Do your research -- and don't stop with the internet. Talk to people who live there. Ask who stays and who leaves.

2. Investigate housing prices.

Expecting a bargain? As retirees flood an area, prices rise, especially if there are natural limits to expansion. If prices are low and houses are hard to sell, the local rental market may be tight.

3. Be prepared to be active in your new community.

Often friendships develop from belonging to groups: Chamber of Commerce, churches, hiking -- whatever interests you. Volunteering may be the norm.

4. Be self-sufficient.

"Be good at entertaining yourself:" that's what many small town dwellers identify as the secret to small town happiness.

5. Identify your "must haves" before loading the truck.

Crave an occasional espresso? Fresh-baked bread? A nearby shopping mall?

Check your destination to see what's available. Inevitably, there will be some wonderful options you didn't expect -- and some favorites will be missing.

6. Bring an independent source of income with you.

Jobs may be scarce. If you work for a local company, you may have trouble finding a new job if something goes wrong.

And since people know each other, you can get branded as "difficult" more easily.

7. Be flexible.

No matter how careful your research, you will have surprises. It may never occur to you to ask, "Do you have..."

Customs vary widely when it comes to social life, real estate transactions, and more.

8. Stay in touch with your previous life.

Use email and phone to stay connected to friends, family, and even big city newspapers. Encourage friends to visit. In the long run, you will probably get comfortable faster than if you bury your past and try to "go it alone."

9. Expect small-town dwellers to be more sophisticated these days.

Many newcomers are retirees, fleeing from big city life, and others have lived and traveled all over the world.

10. Bring the dog.

Your dog will probably enjoy the fresher air, slower pace and larger yard. Your dog's happiness will be contagious. And dogs help you make friends and enjoy life as you explore your new home.

Read more articles and subscribe to my free weekly ezine to receive weekly tips and insights. Visit my career and business website.

Free Content Option: You may use this article in any mediium if you include my resource box (below). No charge if you normally do not pay authors. If you pay contributors, I expect to be paid, too!

About The Author

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com.

"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" http://www.cathygoodwin.com

Contact: http://www.cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294

premium house cleaning Lincolnshire ...
In The News:

Lyft rolled out safety upgrades with a new Safety Hub, driver blocking capability and a favorite driver option to give riders more control over their experience.
New research shows Americans increasingly trust AI for wellness guidance over social media, with 63% finding artificial intelligence reliable for health.
Luxury fashion brand Dior experienced a January 2025 data breach affecting customer personal information, and notifications were sent months after the discovery.
The commercial Unitree H1 humanoid robot weighs 104 pounds with 365 pound-feet torque per joint and demonstrates dangerous potential when software glitches occur.
Americans average 10-plus hours online daily, according to recent survey, splitting time between streaming shows on TV and browsing websites on multiple devices.
Boost your smartphone privacy instantly with these security tweaks for iPhone and Android that limit ad tracking, hide notifications and prevent unauthorized access.
Platforms like Hoax Tech and JS Click Cloaker help cybercriminals bypass detection systems using machine learning to selectively display scam content to victims.
A new battery recycling technique transforms old lithium-ion batteries into high-performance components that retain 88% capacity after 500 cycles with minimal waste.
Google's Android operating system can warn users about earthquakes before the shaking even begins – and there are ways to do it on your iPhone, too.
Meta's new gesture control wristband might just be the most seamless way to control a computer yet. And no, it doesn't require surgery, a camera, or even a touchscreen. All it needs is your wrist.
Long-haul trucks are now being upgraded with a surprising twist, thanks to California-based startup Revoy. Their electric boost doesn't replace diesel but works alongside it to cut emissions and fuel costs without major disruption.
PayPal and Venmo just rolled out something big: AI-powered scam alerts for Friends and Family payments.
As data centers multiply across the United States, energy demand is increasing at a rapid pace. This has not escaped the notice of large investment firms from Wall Street.
The Unicode Consortium, the nonprofit organization that maintains the Unicode Standard to ensure emojis work across devices, has announced Unicode 17.0, which includes nine new emojis slated for release this fall, in September 2025.
OpenAI is one of the world's leading AI research labs. Founded in 2015, it's behind some of today's most talked-about tools, including GPT, DALL·E, and ChatGPT.
Ever catch your dog staring at the screen during movie night and wonder if they're actually watching? Turns out, they might be. A new scientific study from Auburn University found that many dogs really do engage with television, and not all pups react the same way.
Stop the scammers from making contact in the first place. They're getting your parents' contact information and much more personal data besides, from somewhere.
The Walker S2 robot from UBTech autonomously exchanges its batteries in just three minutes, allowing continuous operation in car factories operated by BYD, Nio and Zeekr.
The FX Super One electric MPV from Faraday Future offers flexible seating, zero-gravity recliners and an AI system that creates a personal connection between driver and vehicle.
Practical solutions for reducing unwanted charity mail, political texts and email spam by opting out of shared lists, replying "STOP" and using data removal services.
Delta's new AI pricing system eliminates static airfares for personalized rates based on individual data, raising questions about fairness while promising optimized revenue.
AI data centers are straining the power grid across 13 states, contributing to a $9 billion increase in electricity costs, and PJM customers face monthly bill increases of $25 or more.
Artificial intelligence is transforming the music industry as AI-generated bands like The Velvet Sundown earn substantial streaming revenue, prompting lawsuits from major record labels.
Microsoft phishing scams use fake security alerts and links that redirect to credential-stealing pages with warning signs, including urgent language and unusual senders.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

The Art of Thankfulness

With Thanksgiving approaching, I thought it would be especially appropriate... Read More

Why Positive Thinking Doesnt Work!

There was someone I used to work with who, well... Read More

Universal Thought Systems #4

Before we are able to use the Universal Thought System... Read More

From Stress to Adventure

Ten tips to transform your move into a creative life... Read More

Changing Negatives to Positives

Occasionally people will ask me how I keep a positive... Read More

Heres Your Calm During The Storm Of Discouragement

Have you ever known someone like this? "A person who... Read More

How to Get Rid of Frustration and Self-Pity

I've yet to meet the person who never struggles with... Read More

11 Great Ways to be Positive about Change

Look for the positives!Seek them out - those little scary... Read More

Positive Changes Achieved by Exercising Mind, Body & Spirit

My story explains the struggles I had as a 23-year-old... Read More

Change Your Perception and Your World Will Change!

IntroductionWe can find all type of people in this world... Read More

The Power of the Mind

Each of us has a mind by which we convert... Read More

How Our Thoughts Create Mental Bugs

Our thoughts define who we are. They can make us... Read More

Zenobias Life Lessons

I was a young girl aged 12, when the one... Read More

Who Controls Your Mind?

Few people are aware of the thoughts that pass through... Read More

Enlarge Your Vision

Millions struggle through life barely earning enough to survive. Many... Read More

The Courage To Succeed!

The hardest part of success is the **courage** you need... Read More

Watch Your Mouth

Ever had one of those mothers, or grandmothers, who would... Read More

5 Ways To Use Mind Power To Maximise Your Potential

Why do patients who are given placebo pills report that... Read More

Tips on Boosting Your Self-Confidence

How you feel about yourself truly does affect your interaction... Read More

Fear -- Feel It and Keep Moving

Many of us allow our fear to stop us in... Read More

Gratitude: the ICE that Fills Your Half Empty Glass!

Are you completely happy in your life right now? Honestly?... Read More

It Is All About Attitude!

Why do we really need the experiences that we have... Read More

Garbage Words In - Garbage Thinking Out

"At birth, a baby's brain contains 100 billion neurons, roughly... Read More

Perspective Is Everything

Ever witnessed an incident that needed to be reported to... Read More

Get Some Attitude!

You've been looking for a job for as long as... Read More

maid service near Deerfield ...