Small Town Shit: The Story of a Twin City Girl Who Moved to Nowhere, USA

"Small Town Shit" is a phrase I find myself saying almost every day. Everyone I left behind in the Twin Cities told me, "You are going to be bored" or "You will miss everything going on here." To which I responded with, "Yeah, that's kind of the point," and found a 100-year-old house on a dead-end street. Now I'm entertained by the eccentric locals and their odd and enduring traditions.

Just today, the city's only fire truck, that was used a total of one time in 2025 for a fire-related incident, made its way down my street, lights a ROLLING. As a city girl you see a fire truck for emergencies or in parades, if you are seeing one with lights on in your neighborhood you're most likely looking at someone's really bad day.

But not in a small town. Today, about a week before America's 250th 4th of July celebration in the town I moved to, they used their sole fire truck as a marketing tactic to raise funds for their town celebration. Honestly, as a marketer, mad respect, it caught my attention.

As a girl who grew up in a metro area? Hated it. My neighbors caught me running out my door and down my driveway to see whose 120-year-old house went up in flames. A few have already met that fate on my road.

I have lived in my tiny town for under a year, and I probably have 100 "Small Town Shit" stories I could share. I feel like I need to document them a little better to explain to people living in cities that never sleep that rest is essential and can give you a new perspective on life. I needed a new perspective on life, so bye-bye Twin Cities and all the convenience that went with it.

After a five-hour drive, we rolled into our new neighborhood, two Subarus packed to the gills, one with a U-Haul in tow. It obviously signaled "HEY, WE ARE NEW HERE," nothing to hide there, it was not going to be an inconspicuous move-in, we expected that.

What was unexpected was how fast our new neighbors came over to introduce themselves. As someone used to a suburban style of life, I was shocked to see someone in the driveway before we could even open the door to the trailer.

One by one, the locals who lived on this historic street showed up in our yard. The conversations never stopped, and every one of them was worth more than gold. The stories ranged from how long they'd been here to how they got here and everything in between.

It was crazy to hear our ninety-something-year-old neighbor tell us his wife's father was BORN in the house they live in, but those are the types of stories that keep this place alive and make it so special. The best part about every interaction that day was how they ended. They all said, "If you ever need anything, come on over and ask," and every single one meant it.

From welcoming us into their homes for Thanksgiving after we got trapped by a 30-inch snowstorm to quite literally selling us their house, every person we've met has been authentic.

There is no "Minnesota Nice" here, the town is too small for that. And I am not naive, I know this is new, and I might be having some "honeymoon" feelings about this place. However, I've moved eight times in the last eight years, and not a single place I've lived has ever given me that "I'm home" feeling like this place does. And I will ride that feeling out for as long as humanly possible.

I've been told my whole life that it takes a village. Unfortunately for me, I've gotten really good at isolating myself over the years, with all the moves and working from home, it was easier to be alone. And I still feel that way, but now I feel like I have the option to join a village that won't chew me up and spit me out. We're all here figuring life out, one day at a time. I'm learning it's a bit more fun when you care about your village and they care back.

Unlearning how the rat race of a metro area can make your body feel is a trying process. But from what I've witnessed so far, it can be so worth it. If you are looking for a different pace of life, it might be time to relocate. And if you're looking for "Small Town Shit" stories, you should definitely follow along!