Moved From City to Small Coastal Village; Prefer It Over a Suburb

Almost five years ago, my husband and I made a decision: It was time to move out of our city rental and into a house somewhere else.

It was a choice no one expected from me, a lifelong city girl. After spending a long stint in New York and then a few years in Boston with my spouse, though, I found myself growing tired of the hustle-and-grind lifestyle.

We started our search in the Boston suburbs, but there were two major issues. First, we couldn’t find a home we loved within our budget. Second, as a child-free couple, we quickly realized that the suburbs are geared toward families with children.

We didn’t need four or five bedrooms, and we didn’t want to be the only people in our social circle without kids.

So, we started looking at houses in coastal Rhode Island and Connecticut, and found ourselves visiting charming homes that were more suited to the size of our family (that is, two people and a cat). We loved that many of them were near villages with lots to do.

When my husband and I first looked at our now-home in a small Connecticut coastal village, we walked through the neighborhood, enjoyed a drink at a waterfront spot, and decided this would be our forever place.

We made an offer on the house, and we haven’t looked back since.

I spend my days feeling like I live in a Nancy Meyers movie

Many people decorate their homes and gardens to try to replicate Nancy Meyers’s easy-breezy aesthetic in their own lives, and who can blame them?

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Living in a coastal New England village that’s part Meyers with a heavy dose of “Gilmore Girls” makes it easy to appreciate the small parts of my day-to-day life.

Now, I run into neighbors on my daily morning walks. I’m a regular at my favorite café. I even get to pet a cat named Clancy at least twice a week (he sits outside his house to monitor the comings and goings).

Living in a walkable village makes it easy to get places and meet new people

Speaking of walking around town, the top thing on my checklist when we left city life was walkability, which is hard to come by in the suburbs.

I didn’t have my license — I gave it up when I lived in New York — and wanted to be somewhere I wasn’t completely lost without a car.

Since we are both lucky enough to work remotely, we probably drive just two or three times a week. I love minimizing my time in the car; it helps me spend more time at home and outdoors.

I’m also a big believer that building IRL community is important for mental health, and there’s no better way to do that than by strolling around town.

After living life as a ‘townie,’ I’ve become a smarter traveler

One of the most surprising parts of becoming a “townie” in a small village with lots of attractions is how learning to navigate the tourist season at home has improved my own travel experiences.

I already had city behavior locked down (walk fast, never stop and stare). What I’ve learned in a small village, though, is that slowing down and listening to locals is really helpful.

Now, whenever my husband and I travel to smaller towns, we don’t book any excursions or adventures in advance unless they’re an absolute must. When we arrive, we spend the first day walking around and finding a local pub or restaurant.

I’ve learned that if you can get a nice chat going with a bartender or barista while they’re less busy, you can usually get some good recommendations for things to do that are off the beaten path.

Recently, while visiting Vermont, I got tips from a local about a great German restaurant a little off the tourist strip, along with a hike that ended at a waterfall. Friendly energy goes a long way in a small town — as do generous tips!

Whenever I come home from a trip, I pinch myself that I get to live here

No matter how much I love to travel, I’ve always looked forward to coming home to my own bed.

Still, the slide back into the routine can be painful. Since moving to my cozy coastal village, I feel that pain a whole lot less.

With lots to do, like beach walks, quaint shops, kayak rentals, and more, I’m busy year-round with activities people travel across the ocean to experience.

Of course, no matter where you live, state of mind is most important — find things you love in your community and embrace them! That said, I know I live in a place that others consider a destination, and that’s something I never take for granted.