My current hometown, Valdez, Alaska, has a population of not quite 4,000. The actual number has been hotly contested since the last census, but I think agreement was reached at something over 3,600. It's definitely a small town. The nearest larger community is 240 miles away - the Palmer/Wasilla area. Most necessary amenities can be found there, but many of us continue on another 60 miles to Anchorage if we take a trip to town. It's a long way, and we don't go often.
Despite the lack of amenities, I like living in Valdez. I thought I'd share a few of the reasons.
- While it still amazes me how many fellow residents I've never seen, everyone at the post office knows me by name, and I never have to show an ID at the bank.
- More people know my daughter than know me. This situation might seem a bit scary, but it means if she's doing something she shouldn't be, I'll hear about it.
The community college staff finds their disco groove in the Gold Rush Days parade.
- Where else can you be asked to judge the local parade than in a small town? Remember, it's all about who you know, and eventually, you'll know the people running everything.
- I can't buy everything I want here, but I can get most things I need. That makes it harder to waste money.
- Once I'm in town (I live about six miles out the highway), everything I need to do is within walking distance. Unless it's so icy that walking's dangerous, I walk to do all my errands during my lunch hour.
- It's still safe for my daughter to roam around town on her own, to swim in the local pond with her friends, and to ride her bike from our house to town.
- I know that if I need help, one of my neighbors will help me, no questions asked. I'll do the same for them.
Sure, I'll complain about all the things I can't do here and how far Valdez is from the rest of the state, let alone the world, but right now, there isn't anywhere else I'd choose to live.
What about you - what do you love about where you live?
