Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The country is filled with small towns like you describe. Some are close to cities, some very far. Most are full of people who grew up there, but get into the mountain west, Colorado, Utah, etc, and you have towns with alot more people like yourself from California, New York, who wanted a simpler life. My Grandma lives in a small town in NW Ohio, its a beautiful street and the kids play unsupervised until dark. Her neighbors all look out for her, all that good stuff. I lived near Morenci, MI for a while and it was a wonderful town, though bad economy. It even has a small movie theater that I don't think has been updated since the 60's, a small downtown pizza shop and an ice cream store. Its the same way here in Burlington, CO. Most towns have an annual festival or town fair (e.g. Chicken Festival, Strawberry Festival...) I'm sure there are towns like this in New England, and the south, I have only ever been to Sodus NY, it seemed nice. Just remember that NO place is perfect, and every town big or small, 1950's or today, have their con artists, creepers, jerks, etc. At least in a small town you know who they are.
Sodus/Lyons area is my only exposure to New England, but I was very (pleasantly) surprised... it felt more like small town Indiana than my preconceived notion of New England. So I'd now believe there are lots of places in NY that qualify .
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
34,717 posts, read 58,054,000 times
Reputation: 46185
ID?
I like Kendrick, Harrison, Clark Fork, Bonners Ferry. (these are all N ID, but plenty in SE too, Check out Soda Springs, It's close to WY, (which has even MORE of what you want... WY people can't be beat and the State is well funded with energy $$ (No state income tax)). SD is pretty nice too (Look into Spearfish)
WA, (east side)
Waitsburg, Metaline Falls, Kettle Falls, Rockford
No advice from me east of Missouri River, (I don't do humidity) tho I will be having a winter place in Hill Country TX (around Wimberley or Kerrville). and in NE TN (near Greeneville)
There are some very nice towns in most states. I recommend within 20-30 min of a jr college for a more rich retirement, with a few additional options.
If you like warmer to hot weather, than I would suggest either Vernon, or Quanah, Texas. I live in Vernon, my grandfather lives in Quanah. They both have thier own historical charms. Museums, historic main streets, Vernon has a classic theater. Theres not much here as far as resteraunts, but what do you expect of a small town? Look us up sometime
I'm just wondering if there is a small town out there reminiscent of the 50's/early 60's. The kind of town that has quiet neighborhoods, safe streets, safe to walk at night, neighbors gathering on front porches for a visit, etc.. I realize that times have changed (actually they have made a somewhat drastic change), but I wonder if there is a place like this somewhere. If you think you know of a place like this or even live in one, please post. I'd love to know. Thanks
I use to live in New England... nice place.
Well... I am at a small town with quiet neighbourhood & see very little cars traveling here, sometimes like close to an hr before there is one in daytime.
We have safe streets since there is barely any cars, only residents mainly w/ an occasional delivery people.
It is very safe to walk here at night... since it is also farm country... you'd encounter a horse, a cow, a fox, a deer if you do walk off the beaten paths...
BUT
Our neighbours very rarely will gather on the front porches because the houses are actually quite far apart.
Yup, all that and good jobs, amazing scenery, and endless outdoor recreation. But most people would balk at the weather and the distance to anywhere else, much less the nearest city. That keeps it from getting too crowded, which is a great thing in my book.
I moved to small town New Mexico where I lived happily for 14 years. but it was a huge adjustment getting to happy...
When you say you want to get away from it all just think long and hard about what that means.
Jobs are scarce and nepotism in hiring is rampant.
Don't badmouth anyone as the person you're speaking to is probably a relative.
You may be 1,2,3 hours from a major airport. If you're lucky there's a rural one, but it's expensive to fly and under threat of closure each budget year.
Your shopping choices are limited severely.
People are friendly, but slow to welcome strangers, so while you like the locals helpfulness and friendliness making friends takes time!
Nightlife is almost nonexistent.
Hunting: It's a way of life.
...and if you are looking for a liberal, rural town I'd give Silver City New Mexico a shot.
Brattleboro is pretty big for a "small town," it's just that there are so few actual cities in Vermont that people might forget the Brattleboro and Burlington wouldn't be small towns anywhere else. If that makes sense.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
.
The kind of town that has quiet neighborhoods, safe streets, safe to walk at night, neighbors gathering on front porches for a visit, etc.. I realize that times have changed (actually they have made a somewhat drastic change), but I wonder if there is a place like this somewhere. If you think you know of a place like this or even live in one, please post. I'd love to know. Thanks 
