I’ve been driving a lot recently from Indianola, my family’s residence for the past five years, to Columbia, our new home, and the trip has reiterated something I already knew: I never want to live in a big city. Just driving through Jackson once during rush hour cuts a year off my life expectancy, I think. That’s both through the risk of a wreck and the increased threat of heart attack and stroke from dodging the traffic.
I-220 possesses elements of both a NASCAR race and a destruction derby. There appears to be speed humps in the middle of the highway that bounce your car all over the place. Knowing what we all know about Mississippi politics, I’m guessing a car repair shop magnate slipped an envelope stuffed with $100s under the table to the engineer designing it to add that element.
Getting out of there makes one appreciate a small town like Columbia even more. The lack of traffic is one of the many reasons I’m excited about moving here.
It seems my sentiments are the opposite of many of my generation, who are flocking to urban centers and leaving rural communities behind. Part of that, understandably, is because of jobs, but social aspects play a role. Every major city in the South is becoming another Atlanta. That is, suburbs that spread vast distances, unbelievable inflation on home prices and an ever-decreasing quality of public schools.
I predict that in a generation or so we’re going to see a shift back to rural areas because of those factors. Places like Columbia will only stand to benefit.
One of the best parts about living in a community like this is how quickly you get to know people who are willing to help you. I’ve been very impressed so far (I started work Monday) with the kindness shown to me and my family. I’ve been invited to visit the Rotary Club and given much-appreciated tips about preschools, among other displays of hospitality. Those kinds of things make a big difference for people moving in without any family in an area.
A little about us: I grew up in Tennessee and have been in Mississippi newspapers for the past decade. My wife, Ashley, is a Tupelo native and a Certified Public Accountant. We have two daughters, 3-year-old Maggie who loves princesses and planning and putting on shows for the family, and 3-month-old Laurie, who loves anyone who will hold her and talk to her.
Through July I’ll be driving back and forth between Indianola as I wrap up my duties at the newspaper there, and I wait for a house to come open. But we’re very much looking forward to getting established in Columbia and getting to know people here — not to mention getting off the road.
