By admin@thesilverpetticoatreview.com 
“Your Environment Reflects Your Actions”
I often come across posts listing the “10 best cities for insert category here: students, graduates, families, raising a dog, LGBTQ+, living on a budget, retirees…” and the list goes on. Personally, I don’t think there’s a perfect city for anyone. Many dream of living in New York, but it’s incredibly expensive and the weather can be harsh. Chicago winters? No, thanks. San Francisco? The ocean is freezing most of the year. However, every place has unique and amazing things to offer if you’re open to exploring.
When I relocated near London for work, I ended up in a small town of about 60,000 people—definitely not a place I would have chosen if not for the job. Initially, I dreaded the cold UK winters, the rain, and the early nightfalls. But then I shifted my mindset and started looking for fun activities in the city. I found free city tours, a monthly farmers market, decent shopping options, and a lovely river for rowing or walking. In autumn, I picked berries and preserved fruits from the farmers’ market. In winter, I played in the snow, spent cozy days at Ikea, or visited the quiet seaside.
At first, I took the train to London every week to visit family and friends. Soon it became a monthly trip, then quarterly. Eventually, I fell in love with my little town. It was just a two-block walk to the town center. I took NLP and yoga classes to meet people and tried most of the local restaurants. Sundays were spent in a charming pub outside town, enjoying beer and roast by the firewood. In summer, the long days were perfect for playing tennis at a free court nearby and attending free park events.
Despite being a big city girl used to Paris, Marseille, Barcelona, and Guatemala City, I came to love that little town.
My next move was to the Guatemalan jungle. Social life was limited, with only a handful of friends scattered around the lake and Guatemala City being 8 hours away. The nearest supermarket was 20 miles away, and the closest decent mall was 300 miles away. The climate was hot and humid, with occasional visits from snakes, scorpions, and raccoons. Yet, I embraced it. I took up running, swimming in the lake, growing vegetables, raising chickens, and made city trips to Paris or Miami once or twice a year.
The point is, don’t expect a place to offer what it can’t. No place is perfect, and you’ll rarely find a location that checks all your boxes. So make the most of what you have. Guatemala is amazing for exploring Mayan ruins, enjoying local culture and food, and diving in Belize, which attracts people from all over the world. However, you won’t find many cultural activities like theater, opera, concerts, or art shows, which are just starting to develop here.
I know many people who’ve lived in Paris for years but never climbed the Eiffel Tower. When you live somewhere, it’s easy to get caught up in daily life and forget to enjoy what your city offers. Take a moment to be a tourist in your own city—you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Even if you live in the middle of nowhere, explore nearby state parks or historical landmarks.
We often complain and imagine that life is better somewhere else. “Oh, if I lived in NY, I’d go out every night, live in a fabulous apartment, and watch the city lights from my bed.” But the reality might be just waking up, going to work, commuting back, and falling asleep in front of the TV.
Small towns, big cities, remote villages—every place has its own charm. Try to make the most of wherever you are.
How do you make the most of your little corner of the world?