> 5 minutes walk or 1 minute drive to a shop for groceries, hardware, lumber, restaurants, kid parks. Yes, this sounds amazing. In fact you've just described

> 5 minutes walk or 1 minute drive to a shop for groceries, hardware, lumber, restaurants, kid parks. Yes, this sounds amazing. In fact you've just described exactly what (most) in the big city enjoy about it. You also described a vanishingly small amount of American small towns. Most are much more akin to suburbs, which to me is the absolutely worst form of living yet invented. I completely understand those who want to live in small towns/rural area around nature. I completely understand those who want to live in a big city with big city conveniences. I simply do not understand those who want to live in between.