Towns- good and great

We travel through town after town. Sometimes staying for a walk, or a coffee, or a play in the park. Sometimes staying for a little longer. 

The question comes to mind; what makes a good town? Or, perhaps more importantly, what makes a great town?

Depending on your desires, the ‘stuff’ will have something to do with your rationale. Does it have a good school for the kids? Is there a doctors? Supermarket? Local Church? Then you may look at ‘stuff’ that are more a desire list; does it have a nice cafe, or cafes? Is it close to the surf? Close toT nice bike rides? Does it have a few cool shops? and so on.

Thing is, there are quite a few towns around that would meet most of your criteria. With the amenities you desire, the ‘lifestyle’ you search for. And a short visit could tick off your desire list pretty easily. What you cannot see on the surface is the community behind the town. It is difficult to get a sense of what it would actually be like to live there, to be a community member.

You can get a clue sometimes. The town that has erected special seats throughout the main street which are dedicated to community members who have served. Waking up one morning to see a busy bee happening in the local school, with families together, shovels in hand. A three year old questioning his mom in a supermarket as to who Josie was. “Mum, who is that girl?” There wouldn’t be many people in his community that the three year old wouldn’t know. The pride that people show as you walk through their shop. Pride not only in what they do, but in where they live.

To really get to know what the community stands for, and whether you fit in, you need to give it time. They say that in some towns, this time is around the 20 year mark!

Disclaimer: Of course, many people who live in big cities and indeed, in some towns find their community within the place. That is, at the surf lifesaving club, or at church, or some type of club.

So does that beg the question, you feel part of a community in which you wish to give to and for. By doing so, it becomes the community you wish it to be?