Blending into small town USA

This is our first base where we chose to buy a house. We always hear how wonderful it is to own your own home and how once you live off base you never go back. Well, we took a leap and purchased a home here since the housing was cheap. I say its cheap but only because I come from CA where houses 1500 sq ft cost over $300K. Of course all that was before the economic crisis.

Now we own our home and live in a small town (less than 10K people) 15minutes from base.

I remember my mom being with us when we were looking for houses and as we drove through this town she thought it was so cute and lovely. We both were excited thinking that everyone would be so nice and friendly. How all the people are probably the nicest people in the world and we will live happily like they do on TV. LOL  Not even close!!!

Maybe I am too much of a big city girl but I don't agree with small town politics. I also didn't know that nearly everyone will somehow be related and they all seem to have gone to school together. Everyone knows everyone and they ALL know your business or at least they try really hard to know all your business. 

I am used to military communities where people welcome you and are eager to be your friend. 

Where people are glad you want to get involved and listen to your ideas.

They care about your family and want to learn more about you.

This small town has been nothing like that at all. In fact I will NEVER live in a small town again.

I learned very quickly that when applying for a job you need to either know the hiring person or be related. Of course I don't fit any of that criteria here. So when I applied for 3 jobs in the school district I did not get hired. They didn't even call me to get an interview!!  I remember calling and asking about the job in question and they told me that they had already done some interviews and they filled the position.  How in the heck can you just do some interviews! Isn't that illegal. I didn't even get a fair chance and I had experience with the job that I applied.

That was just the beginning of my small town woes.  I truly miss living on base and feeling welcomed. I know that we will not live off base unless we are truly living in a military community. The people here seem to be stuck inside there little bubble and have blinders on. I am fortunate that I have found 3 good friends that I can trust and aren't gossip whores. That is sad that only 3 people here have opened there hearts to our family and we have lived here now for almost 3 years. Oh well- no love lost. It shall be the easiest base move we will ever go through. I envision myself on our moving day looking at the rear view mirror with the greatest smile on my face. I SO look forward to that day.