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- I’m raising my kids in a town with fewer than 1,500 people. Cost of living is cheap, but we need to drive to find diversity. (businessinsider.com)
I live with my family in a quaint New Hampshire town absent of stoplights and bustling traffic, a stark contrast to the larger communities nearby. This picturesque but tiny locale—home to less than 1,500 people—offers a serene escape with nature at our doorstep and lower living costs, though it requires some travel for daily activities and a conscious effort to find diverse interactions.
When my daughter turned six, her newfound passion for gymnastics meant finding a studio nearly 45 minutes away because our remote town offers limited amenities for children’s activities. Years ago, in a Boston suburb where we used to live, amenities like a gymnastics studio were just a short bike ride from our home. However, we moved to rural New Hampshire for my husband’s employment, initially settling in a midsize city of roughly 60,000 people before seeking even more seclusion in our current home.
Initially hesitant about rural living, I was unsure about the availability of activities for children and opportunities to engage in community life. The first town we lived in offered the basics—a handful of grocery stores and a small T.J. Maxx—but lacked the vibrancy of communal events and spaces that encourage social life.
Nevertheless, the allure of nature was irresistible. The opportunity to spend days hiking, canoeing, and skiing in scenic wonders was a significant draw for us. Now, even more remote, we’re minutes away from luxurious natural retreats, nestled among lakes and mountains, presenting an idyllic setting for family life.
Life here feels laid back, enhancing my parenting experience as the tranquil environment allows for quality family time, supported by the affordability of property that eases financial pressures.
However, living here comes with its set of challenges—lengthy drives to basic facilities, adapting to wildlife encounters, and managing well water and septic systems. Moreover, the lack of diversity is a concerning drawback. While we maintain connections with diverse family and friends, it doesn’t compensate for daily multicultural interactions that could enrich my children’s perspectives.
Despite these hurdles, the benefits of our secluded home in nature where community bonds eventually form outweigh the drawbacks for us at this life stage. We aim to overcome the inconveniences with proactive solutions, ensuring our children’s interests are nurtured, regardless of our geographical location. We’ve found our little slice of solitude in the woods to be the optimal choice for raising our family at this moment.
[Read the original article on Business Insider]