Country first, small town second and what I mean by small town is less than about 1,500 people. I guess my life has reflected this desire. I grew up in Kinney, MN, population 203 and graduated with 33 classmates from Buhl, MN, population 1,100. Today I live on an 87 acre hobby farm about 2 miles from Osakis, MN, population 1,300.
One of the most common comments I hear from family and friends that visit our home is how peaceful it is to sit outside on our deck or lawn. The only noise that comes close to resembling city life is the sound of traffic passing by on I-94 about 2 miles away across country. During the summer months when the trees are covered in foliage, we don't hear that very well either. Mornings are my favorite time. I often enjoy sitting on our deck with a cup of coffee watching the birds, deer, and other wildlife as it awakens with the sunrise.