It must be a rite of passage for all teenage kids from small rural American towns to, at some time, have the “I can’t wait to get out of this place” attitude. If I remember right, it goes something like this…
“I’m moving some place where everyone doesn’t know my business…
I’m going some place that has something to do.”
It was that way thirty years ago, it’s that way today.
What I’m wondering is…at what age do we, somehow magically, lose that attitude and change to…”there’s no place like home”?
When does it hit us that “everybody knowing your business” can be a good thing. That small towns offer a sense of family and community. Yes, everyone knew me and what I was up to, but also, everyone was there for me. To support me, to help when needed. Somewhere between 16 and 49andcounting, I realized that…small town people aren’t usually “nosey and into my business”…most small town people care. They want what’s best for me.
“There’s nothing to do” can be a true argument at 16. At least not the kind of things I wanted to do…concerts, mall shopping, a diversity of people, excitement! But somewhere along the way it hits you…”What I’d give for a slower pace of life, for evenings sitting in the porch swing, for one traffic light, for being able to get to the grocery store in 2.5 minutes. What I’d give for no blaring headlines of murder and criminals, and no rush hour traffic.” “Nothing to do” can equal less stress, and enjoying the simple things in life.
Oh at 49andcounting what I’d give for those ruby red slippers and to click three times.
49andcounting 
Very true, in a small town you learn that having fun can just be hanging with friends at the park, grilling out or going to the legion baseball game on a warm summer night. It’s not about “material” things but relationships.