I’ve Lived in the Same City My Entire Life and I Don’t Plan on Ever Leaving

It’s always seemed to me like there’s a bit of a stigma against living in the place you were born — especially when it comes to small towns in the South. We stereotype these people as close-minded and assume their worldviews are as narrow as the towns themselves, but that isn’t always the case. As a lifelong resident of my hometown in Southeast Texas (and someone who expects to remain in the area indefinitely), I have many thoughts on this topic, and I’m excited to share them with you. 

I grew up in a mid-sized city in Southeast Texas, near the Louisiana border. It’s large enough to have abundant grocery stores, entertainment venues, shops, and restaurants without sacrificing that quaint, small-town feel where you can’t go anywhere without bumping into someone you know. (On that topic, why is it that I always seem to encounter people I haven’t seen since high school when I look like I just rolled out of bed? I can’t be the only one!).

Much like the small towns you see in the movies, the schools in my city had your typical cliques: the popular kids, band geeks, etc. I was a bit of an outsider and belonged to none of those groups, but I did have a core group of friends who I remained close with throughout most of grade school. Like many young people with similar dispositions, I spent my days yearning for graduation, when I could finally expand my horizons and break free from the shackles that were preventing me from spreading my wings. 

I attended college in Houston, which is obviously a very different place than I was used to. I met so many interesting people from all walks of life with a myriad of unique experiences and perspectives to share, and for a while, I truly thought I would never come back home except for holidays and other special occasions — but then, something shifted.

After about a year and a half, I started to crave the comfort and familiarity that my hometown provided. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely understand the importance of having an open mind and giving yourself opportunities for growth — but now, I also appreciate the idea of planting firm roots. Just like trees, humans need a strong foundation to build on, and that’s exactly why I chose to return to my hometown. Personally, I would rather use travel as a chance to broaden my scope of perception and know that I have a stable place to come back to. Big cities are just a bit too chaotic for me; I prefer a home base that allows me to live simply and with more certainty. 

Of course, I’d be remiss not to mention the fact that small towns do often have their shortcomings. They do tend to be echo chambers of sorts, and I do realize how important it is to expose ourselves to thought patterns and belief systems that differ from our own. However, as I mentioned above, I don't think it's necessary to actually live somewhere else to accomplish that. My views on most things are nothing like they were when I was younger, and I've only ever lived outside of my hometown for a whopping year and a half.

It has also been interesting to watch my city evolve over the years. In many ways, it's like we've grown up together, and I never would've gotten to appreciate the subtle changes if I hadn't been here the whole time. Yes, the town has grown in size, but I've also noticed a huge shift in the culture. People are much more open-minded and tolerant than they used to be, and it warms my heart every time I think about it.

So, what's your story? Did you leave your hometown as quickly as you could, or do you think it's one of the best places to live in the U.S.? What are your thoughts on living in the place you were born? I'd love to hear them in the comments. If you're proud of the place you live (whether it's your home state or not), you can let the world know by grabbing some gear from Wear Your Roots.