She Said/He Said Edition: Living in a Small Town
Isn’t it funny how you can be married to someone for, well, forever and just think you know them so well? What they will like. What they won’t like. When we thought about moving to a small town I never realized how different we could view it. See below for the low down!
She Said/He Said Edition: Living in a Small Town
Jessica Klasnick- She said:
My husband just doesn’t get it. My obsession with House Hunters International and Tiny Houses. I really don’t watch tv but man oh man, if I am home alone and that clicker is calling my name I want to know what people are paying for a one bedroom villa in Uruguay and how you can maneuver closets to fit under stairs that can hold an entire wardrobes in the space the size of a Costco sized cereal box. I always turn those shows off a bit amazed, a little confused and definitely inspired.
Once we sold our house in the ‘burbs and all of our stuff in it, we had to figure out what was next. I loved the idea of living in a small town. (But immediately my mind cues to John Mellencamp, “Well, I was born in a small town. And I live in a small town.” Anyone else? Or do you think, “Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world?”)
The boys absolutely love to ski, nature is my love language and we had spent time in Breckenridge for years. We had simplified our life, now it was time to slow it down. Breck seemed like the perfect place but what would it be like to live there? I mean, I am not exactly a small town girl. I like Target, really like Target. Costco is my main squeeze and the mall was just down the road. But I was ready for a change. What if hustling around running errands just wasn’t possible? What if walking was an easier form of transport than darting around in a SUV? What if hikes and bike rides were right out my back door? We were wanting to try. So, here it goes!
Slow it Down, More Time……. Living in a Small Town
xoxo- Jess
Matt Klasnick- He said:
Living in a small town always sounded boring to me. I get anxious if I can't consistently and reliably connect with people or nature. There's something peaceful to the honking horns of a big city in the middle of the night, and conversely the sound of a mountain stream outside your back door. We longed for a mix of both, if that was possible.
While not a "quintessential" small town, Breckenridge, is pretty close. Its not quintessential because it is the busiest ski resort in North America. The locals are small in number and the off-seasons are slow and quiet. We can walk or take a bus everywhere we need, anytime. And, of course, the skiing, biking and hiking are enough to fill your nature bucket in every season.
We're learning that being surrounded by trees and trails is important to us. People ask, "But isn't it so annoying to have so many tourists filling up your town every week during season?" The answer is a patent, “No.” Yes, the traffic gets crazy, the restaurants have hour waits everywhere you look and people are lost, constantly rubbernecking at the 13,000 ft peaks that tower over the town. So what? When I see a family together at dinner at a packed restaurant, I can’t help but recognize how awesome it is to live in a town where everyone is present and engaged in the moment to have fun! On vacation, enjoying each other’s company before heading back to the grind next Monday. Dad's carrying their kids on their shoulders with a smile while walking down Main Street? Sign me up to witness that kind of joy. While this may not be a forever place for us. We love it for now.... minus the June snowstorms.
Cheers to dreaming- Matt