Photo courtesy of the Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Southern Living Magazine’s October issue just came out and has a great Southern Cities Review section which reviews Asheville, Louisville, Austin and Pensacola.  If you can pick up a copy I think you will find it interesting like I did, if you are a fan of city reviews.

Asheville NC is well know as a great retirement town. It is a college and trendy downtown with boutiques, art galleries, organic markets, bookstores, and is walkable.  You are surrounded by majestic mountains that offer sightseeing, hiking and day trips. Sounds good to me.

Austin TX is well know as a young person place with it’s music, urban loft living and a lot to see and do.  But these same traits are attractive to seniors.
Louisville Kentucky’s downtown is right on the river and is a well keep secret of a really neat place to visit (and live).  Art galleries, shops and entertainment.  In May Derby week is really something to behold (I have been twice!).

Pensacola FL downtown has a rich and long history evident with it’s brick streets and Art Deco buildings.  Very walkable downtown square.

source: Southern Living Magazine

These are uncertain times.  Some people say we are in a depression or nearing one.  Crime is rising and expected to rise even more.  If things get more out of control, who knows what may happen.

It is suggested that living in a small town would be safer than living in a city or urban setting.  In a small town you would be far removed from city gangs or crime waves.  You would probably know and respect your neighbors.  You would probably be living a more self sufficient lifestyle, maybe making or growing some of your food.

If things deteriorated in the city, people would start leaving and relocating to small towns or other locations.  That is what is happening in Mexico right now, with the drug cartel crime wave and killings, Mexican citizens are relocating to Texas or Arizona to get away.  Just pulling up stakes and leaving.  The same thing could happen here in the USA.   Where would you go?

Knowing your neighbors and respecting and relying on each other, certainly has it’s benefits if things get tougher. Helping each other out and watching out for each other is more likely to take place in small towns.

Being more self sufficient is a trait most people living in small towns have.  They don’t have all the services and trades available to pick up the phone and have someone come over to do the job.   So they learn to do it themselves.  Many people small town residents have gardens so they can grow their own food.  They are close to farmers where they may be able to purchase fresh produce if transportation to the grocery and cities break down.  Growing a Victory Garden is now “in”.  I have started my Victory Garden with Heirlooms seeds in my Square Foot Garden.  These Square Foot Gardens can be grown just about anywhere, but having a bit of land sure would be nice.

Many people living in small towns have hunted and fished at some point.  Those skills may come in handy.  Just as important is being close to the forest where game live.

Real estate values in small towns could hold their own or maybe even increase as more people look to move out of the cities if this crises escalates.   Some people already are moving to ‘the country” who have lost their jobs and are looking for more affordable housing.

Of coarse as I have written about before, their are other Advantages of Living in a Small Town.