Harlan, Iowa: Population 6000

Where...

...you'll only find 2 stop lights
...your realtor is married to the president of the bank
...you can get a house for $39,000 that in New Haven County, Conneticut would cost $250,000
...if locals have to wait behind 3 whole cars at a stop sign, befuddled, they wonder, "Is the county fair today!?"
...the drivers at the stop signs wave--"you first" "no you" " no, really, you"
...a house above $120,000 is considered an"upper end home"
...from anywhere to anywhere in town shouldn't take more than 5 minutes driving
...you're 30 minutes from the nearest church Branch
...you're 60 minutes from the nearest "big city", Omaha
...you're 40 minutes from the nearest mall
...the vp of the bank comes in on Saturday just for you
...you are surrounded by trees, fresh air, and farmland
...you'll find at least 4 churches of various denominations
...it was estimated that about 70% of the community regard religion as important in their lives
...the ENTIRE town shows up for the Homecoming football game--the town's greatest event each year
...the "Pork Queen" (as some pork industry is out there) makes the cover of their local paper
...on the second page in the local paper you can read everyone who has been issued a speeding ticket
...diners show up in jeans and flannel shirts to eat at The Country Club (and yes, it's a paid membership)
...you learn what permafrost really is
...you really don't lock your house up unless you're going out of town
...it has been noted more than once during the bitter winter--a driver leaving the car running in the store parking lot while they shopped so the car would be warm upon their return
...we just might have to own a "sit down" mower
...my husband can work 4 minutes from where he lives
...because of some of these things, and despite some of these things, I am very excited to be living the next chapter of my life!