Small Towns and Cottages - Finding the Right One For You

Covington, LA

Front porches, friendly neighbors, easy walking distance to small town offerings. A slower pace, a more downsized easy-to-care-for life. A sense of history. These are all real reasons to have a crush on small town cottages/bungalows.  If you want to be near shops and restaurants but don't want to live an apartment condo in the concrete jungle of a big city, a small town cottage is a fantastic match. Let's look at some dream ones -

St. Simon's Island, GA

Eureka Springs, AK

Mount Dora, FL

Leslie, AK

As I've been considering my retirement in North Carolina, I weighed lots of factors to find the small town that fits me. At first, I wanted to live in Wilmington because it has the cleanest air in the continental US. I adore the ocean. But, as I considered seasonal crowds and how much I adore the chance of snow and gardening in rolling hills, my search moved on to wine country. 

I didn't necessarily want a farming rural town as I'm not in my youth with kids that want goats and folks who are working families.

I figured wine country gives me great growing conditions, some fine shops and restaurants, and picturesque views. 

Taking the research a bit further, I found Mount Airy. You remember the town of Mayberry in the Andy Griffith Show? Well, this is the town it was fashioned after.

Things to remember when looking for your small town and adorable cottage - 

Education and religious levels of the citizens. Sometimes, this isn't compatible. The town is adorable, but there is no one there who understands you or where you are coming from. You do need to make friends there and feel you fit in.

Access to resources - stores, hospitals, etc. Are you okay being 30 or 40 minutes from a grocery store of size? How about your health? Do you need to be near enough to hospitals and clinics? 

Downtown or periphery? Downtown areas often have wonderful streets with cottages and things in walking distance. If you need social engagement daily, this is a great option.

Visiting family and friends? How far from an airport and how remote is this location? 

Climate is an important consideration. If your body lets you know a storm is coming and winter makes you feel like a rickety stick figure, maybe you need to be a snowbird. 

Cultural activity is another consideration. If you like historic sites and museums, plays and the like, you might need to be in a small town on the periphery of a big city. 

I hope this has helped y'all to consider the factors involved in making a decision to simplify, downsize, and live the quiet life.