Not everyone is a big city fan. Some of us like the setting of a small country farm. Dillion, TX, was once a thriving community, where people could relax and feel at home. The small blacksmith shop down the street from the post office was home to dozens of like-minded people. Eventually, people outgrew the small country and moved away.
Now with the big cities filling up with crime, economic distress on the rise, and religious fanatics marching for change. People are trying to get back to the straightforward way of living. We have looked at 15 cities that you can compare to Dillion, TX.
Small towns are friendly, productive, and filled with good old-fashioned fun. Most residents in small communities spend their time baking pies, attending football games, and relaxing with family and friends. Close-knit communities offer more in terms of togetherness, which means that everyone is treated like family, even visitors.
1. Austin, Texas
Texas, the longhorn state, is one of many places where the Texas Rangers roam the streets. Austin is like Dillion, TX in so many ways. The town’s population is less than one-million people. Despite the famous places that keep the small town alive, it still manages to attract visitors from away.
Places like the Riggins Brothers House, where the famous brothers film their scenes, are places of interest. People in Austin are flabbergasted to have reality like people in their town. The Riggins are characters on a television series called Friday Night Lights.
Ray’s BBQ is the place to visit, for the tastiest BBQ in town, and you cannot leave without paying a visit to Garrity Motors and Taylor’s house, or Grandma Saracen’s House. These are just a few places in Austin that will remind you of home. Leading the industry in clean energy, the cost of living in Austin is higher than in most states. Housing costs are nearly doubled and staying overnight might cost up to $80 per night.
2. Pflugerville, Texas
Being the next-door neighbor of Austin, Texas has its benefits. Pflugerville played a part in the filming of Friday Night Lights and residents loved the attention. The nearby Pflugerville High School football games were filmed at Kuempel Stadium. The city is known for its beautiful natural landmarks and impressive parks. This place is necessary if you are a true nature lover.
If you love the outdoors, are an avid lover of football, and are a fanatic of tech, math, and science, you cannot visit Texas without stopping by Pflugerville. If you are passing through and want to stay over, be prepared to spend up to $145 per day. If relocating is on your mind, you can expect to pay the national average cost for your home.
However, real estate prices are still on the rise. Some parts of Texas are much higher, but that depends on where you want to live.
3. Odessa, Texas
It seems like football is in the air in Odessa, Texas. The residents of Odessa love welcoming visitors to their friendly town of 119,702. The Permian Panthers play for Odessa Texas High school, and they are an inspiration for Friday Night Lights. Cultures do not clash in this town, because everyone loves to get along. The friendly folks here treat everyone like family, and outsiders are welcome.
No one is a stranger in Odessa. Get to know the people, study the culture, and take an interest in what appeases you. Take yourself to a football game, and afterward find someplace exciting to visit. Whether you like indoor fun, scary, or quiet nights, you got it.
If you like the great outdoors and want to try your hand at fishing, biking, hiking, golfing, or skateboarding, you can come to the right place. Homes here are affordable, and due to its thriving economy, gas and oil are great resources. If you are thinking about hanging around for a few days, rooms are available between $50 to $160 per night.
4. Prattville, Alabama
What can you find in a small town of 37,781 people? You may be surprised. Alabama the Beautiful has the largest industries in the healthcare, manufacturing, and public sectors. Residents and visitors have access to Prattville’s 1000 sq ft antique mall, the Pick and Eat Nut Grove, Cooter’s Pond Park See, and the Autauga Creek Walk.
If you are a football fan, you cannot get away with not attending one of the football games held at Stanley Jensen Stadium. Join the crowd and watch the Prattville Lion leap into action on the field.
Stick around and watch the ten million renovations of the stadium take place before your eyes. If moving to Prattville is your dream and the cost of living is on your mind, drop the pressure. The cost of living in Prattville is below the national average, making Prattville an affordable place to live. If you plan to stick around for a day or two, you can expect to pay $87 to $263 per night for lodging.
5. West Monroe, Louisiana
Small towns have a lot to offer, and West Monroe is no exception. With a population of under 13,000 residents, it is very easy to see why football games are at the top of the list for entertainment. Fans come out to Rebel Stadium, and Don Shows Field and gather to watch their high school team score. The team almost made the ESPN TV show called Varsity Inc.
This recognition is due to the eight state and twenty-five state and district championships the football team has won. If shopping is on your mind, try visiting the Northern Louisiana Mall, and stick around for some great food at any of the one hundred local restaurants. At the end of the day, cozy up in one of the nicely furnished hotels from $70 to $170 per night.
6. Pinetop Lake, Arizona
If you like a close-knit community, where everyone knows everyone, you will love Pinetop Lake. Experience the 621/2home of the Lue Ridge Yellow Jackets in full form. Be part of the rotary club senior food drive and year-round community events.
The lake sits up an impressive 7,000 ft, and the community has a strong presence of 4.030 residents. Visitors will experience outdoor fun and activities with family and friends. Pinetop’s popularity is experienced by locals and visitors, and its summer resort is second to none when it comes to hospitality.
Pinetop’s cost of living is average, but homes in the area are of higher value compared to national averages. If you must stick around, you can visit the healthcare facilities, shop retail trade, and check out the education system. You can get a room at the Pinetop resort starting at $90 per night, and up to $220.
7. Eunice, New Mexico
You may have seen pictures of the beauty of Mexico, but until you experience it on your own, you can only imagine. Eunice specializes in quarries, gas production, and local mining. The cost of living is lower in Eunice compared to other parts of New Mexico. The people are few, around 2,922. The Cardinal football team makes the town proud with fifteen state championships.
The Hispanic culture serves as an inspiration to both residents and tourists. The main tourist attractions include Carlsbad Cavern National Park, Roswell, and just the beautiful scenery of New Mexico itself. If you want to stick around for a vacation, or if you are thinking about moving to Eunice, the average room rental in Eunice ranges from $35 to $113.
If you have never experienced Mexico, now is the time to gear up and take flight.
8. Mayfield, Kentucky
This small town has a lot of heart. With 10,017 residents including local business owners. Their entertainment is the twelve-time football championship team, the Cardinals. For nice clean fun and small get-togethers, residents meet at Cartwright Grove, an 1800s-old western town.
The beauty of Kentucky must be experienced, more than seen. The Icehouse Gallery highlights the exquisite work of local and regional crafters. Learn how wine is made from the finest grapes. Take a tour of the Fancy Farm Vineyard and Winery. Your eyes will not deceive you when you take a stroll in the gorgeous waters. You will find median-priced homes in the area.
If you want to experience more of Mayfield, book a room at the finest hotel. Rooms range from $90 to $180 per night. Unemployment is low, and so is the cost of living. If you are worried about getting sick, Mayfield has a strong presence in healthcare and retail shopping. Everything you need to make a smooth
9. Bluefield, West Virginia
Light up the fireworks for the holidays. The small town of Bluefield with its 9685 residents loves the bright lights and outdoor festivities. Fancy parades, Christmas celebrations, and all the charm are what you get when you visit Bluefield. The town’s proudest young members are members of the West Virginia football team. These state champions have won eleven state games, and the town is counting down for their next big event.
If you are a fan of Facebook, you can visit their home page and show your support. Everything you hear about small-town fun is true. Enjoy outdoor fun, food prepared to near perfection, and unheard dishes. You can not walk away from these dishes without giving them a try.
Thinking about moving to Bluefield. Here is something to think about. The cost of living is lower here than in most cities in West Virginia, the house prices are the median average, and you can spend a night at one of the luxurious hotels in town, starting at $50 up to $177 per night.
10. Lincolnton, Georgia
The Devil might not wear Prada, but they do play a mean game. The Red Devils have memorized the small town of 1,480 residents, with their newspaper pictures and photographs. The song, “Hall of Heroes,” is a song in unison if you have the ringtone on your phone.
What is even more interesting is the fact that 1,200 of Lincolnton is perfect water scenery. Enjoy outdoor watersports like camping, and hunting along the beautiful coastline.
Outdoor activities, and walking barefoot on the sand, are all special times you will never forget. Take in a movie, with family and friends. There is a lot to see and do in the small town of Lincolnton.
If you are intrigued by history, you can fill your eyes with views of over 160 historic buildings in Lincoln County. You can vacation here and spend your nights at the local hotel with prices ranging from $67 to $118 per night. If moving to this town excites you, you will be thrilled to know that the cost of living and the median home prices are low compared to other cities in Georgia.
11. Strawn, Texas
Strawn might be small with a population of 653 residents. The football team is the Greyhound Friday Night Light and was featured in a series called Texas 6, hosted by CBS. If you are looking for some outdoor fun, visit the Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. The park sits on 18,000 acres of land, known as Possum Kingdom Lake. It is a hunter’s dream come true.
The city is best loved for its forestry, hunting, fishing, and agricultural industries. Houses are in the median range; the cost of living is low compared to some major cities in Texas. If sticking around for a few days sounds good to you, plan to spend at least $45 to $95 for such a lovely place to sleep.
12. Robbinsville, North Carolina
What can a small town of 620 people do in a small community like Robbinsville? For starters, the small town has a football team that has won most of its state championships and is proud of its fourteen victories. This sports team has been featured in popular television shows like Walk in the Woods and Fugitive.
The small town sits at the foot of the renowned Great Smokey Mountains. If you are coming to enjoy the nature trail, you can walk alongside the forest trails, fish in the lake, or go kayaking. There is always something fun and entertaining to do in Robbinsville.
Not surprisingly, tourism, construction, and retail stores are in abundance. Housing is listed in the median range, and the cost of living is lower here than in similar surrounding areas. If you want to stick around for a few days and get to know the area a little better, hotel rooms are priced at a reasonable rate. Plan to spend an average of $80 to $200 per night.
13. Shiner, Texas
Imagine a football team with thirty-one wins, and the first team to win a back-to-back 2021 championship. Well, look no further than The Shiner Comanches. Small towns pack large power and produce great athletes. The southeastern region is known for its fancy beer brewery (Shiner Bock Beer).
If drinking beer is not your favorite pastime, try some delicious wine. The winery makes over 190 assorted flavors. If that does not impress you, you might decide to try one of the 250 flavors of beer. Shiner is known for its love of education, manufacturing, and football.
If you are considering buying a home in the area, the cost of living is average. Importantly, the price of the average home is priced at the median price. This small-town community has 2192 residents. If you are not ready to leave just yet. You can stick around for a vacation or a few days starting from $75 per night, up to $175.
14. Sheridan, Indiana
Sheridan Indiana has a secret that most small towns do not have: a winning coach. For 55 years, the Sheridan has had Coach Bud Wright, the town’s legendary icon. If you want to see how Sheridan honors their special person, visit the Sheridan Historical Society Museum.
What makes the football team and its coach so memorable? It could be the nine championships. The town has a strong resident presence of 3,000, and visits are made to feel at home. Friday nights are where family and friends gather to watch their favorite team spring into action.
If you like jellies and jams, and apples and honey, you will enjoy visiting Stuckey. Stuckey is an orchard farm and cider mill with twenty-seven varieties of apples and over 4000 trees. If you adore fresh pumpkin pie, bake your own, from the pumpkin you choose. If anyone tells you that small-town people do not know how to relax, enjoy life, and have fun, now you know better.
The economy gets its advantage from manufacturing, retail trade, and healthcare. The cost of living in Sheridan has affordable housing that is in the median range. Which is much lower than other parts of the country? An average night in one of Sheridan’s finest hotels is $75 per night, but you could spend up to $190 per night.
15. Hoover, Alabama
Football season brings out the best in people in small towns like Hoover. People here love to watch the High School Buccaneer players. Alabama the Beautiful has an impressive history. Hoover University is the state champion of thirteen statewide games and is one of the most-watched football games in America.
The town made history with the MTV series Two-A-Day. With 92606 residents cheering on the football field, life can get more interesting in Hoover. Although Hoover is about one-tenth the size of Austin, there are plenty of great fun-loving things to do. You can meet up with the gang at Gabriel’s Sports Café. There are 250 acres of Moss Rock nature preserve, and 30 acres of Aldridge Garden scenery to explore.
After a fun, relaxing evening, take in some walking therapy at the retail store at the Riverchase Galleria. Employment is low, the housing market is in the median range, and the cost of living is average. If you want to stay around for a few days and explore more, you can rent lodging for $60 per night, and up to $370.
Summary
If you think there is no place like home, think again. Living in a big city has its perks, but also its downsides. Choosing a quiet place to live with less traffic, less noise, and more entertainment is just a few miles away. A small city does not have a lot of hustle and bustle, but it does have the feel of home, and home is where the heart is.
You can move to a quaint little town with fewer people and have the best time of your life. Towns like Dillion, Texas are rare and far-in-between, and when you find one that sparks your interest, do not think twice about it. Moving to a small town means downsizing your lifestyle. If you are ready to make the move, now is the time to put those words into action.
