Growing up in a city like I have definitely had its perks! Most of which are based on convenience and in a society where everyone seems so busy trying to just get by, convenience has become a necessity! Between kid's soccer games, work, carpooling, meetings, shopping, cleaning, etc. many families choose fast food over a home-cooked meal simply because it’s “easier” and the city can provide that! You cannot go for coffee at Tim Hortons at 6am in a small town (and we all know that is important)
But what is the price of convenience? Traffic, higher cost of living, noise pollution, crime, and a constant level of stress due to all of the above.
The average cost of a home in Regina and Saskatoon hover around $300,000 dollars compared to small-town living where homes can start as low as $20,000. Yes, you read that correctly and no I did not forget a zero. $20,000 to become a homeowner in this day and age is almost unheard of yet very possible in small towns!
There is so much more than lower home prices to attract city dwellers to move to a small community. For one your neighbors smile and wave when you go by and not because they want something but because they are genuinely nice! Your local store knows you by name and will greet you with a smile and probably fill you in on some good ol town gossip as well.
No police or ambulance sirens every few minutes due to a much lower population and townsfolk who watch out for each other and never turn a blind eye.
Life is as they say “slower” in a small town as you do not need to worry about rush hour traffic, and when your local store is only a block away and your neighborhood is safer you tend to walk more! Who needs a gym when you can get outside and see nature at its finest plus see more wildlife than just your local squirrel!
More people like my family are choosing to live the country life in small-town Saskatchewan where people still open their doors to invite you in for coffee. Where life may be slower but a lot kinder and it is a pleasure to live where everybody knows your name!
So why is small-town Saskatchewan seemingly dying? Many changes in Government spending has hurt many towns by closing local schools, transferring government jobs such as RM offices to larger locals, and the canceling of both STC and Greyhound bus.
Grain elevators across Saskatchewan have closed their doors in many places leaving the town's only source of revenue to dry up and often the town goes with them.
So is it a lost cause?
Small town Saskatchewan could be an entrepreneur's dream come true especially for small business owners looking for inexpensive startup costs. Low taxes, inexpensive properties, and a drove of people in need of services who as of now have no choice but to commute to the city.
There are also major government incentives for loans and grants to help people start a small business and although the government is not quick to point out money you can save, a quick google search will lead you to many grants that could apply to your business.
By encouraging small businesses to see the advantages of setting up shop in small-town Saskatchewan, it would revive our local business communities and bring new families and new life to our small towns.
Small town Saskatchewan has so much to offer and with all the great people who strive every day to make our communities a better place, our towns will grow again!
In conclusion, the city may have conveniences small-town Saskatchewan cannot offer however next time you read a news report about shootings and crime in your neighborhood, or you are thinking of opening a local business but rental rates within city limits are out of your reach, or you are just tired of the daily stress of city life then consider moving and investing in small-town Saskatchewan.
Written by: Bobbi - Lynne McGarry
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