10 Undeniable Advantages of Living in a Small Town Like Standerton

Ah, small-town life—where everyone knows your name, your dog's name, and exactly how many times you’ve been spotted at the bottle store this week. If you’ve ever wondered why living in a place like Standerton is superior to the hustle and bustle of big cities, look no further! Here are ten solid, absolutely scientific*

advantages of living in a small town Like Standerton and why small-town life is the best life.

1. Traffic? What Traffic?

Rush hour in Standerton lasts about as long as it takes for old Oom Jan to finish his conversation with the Spar cashier. You can get across town faster than it takes a Jo’burger to find parking at Sandton City.

2. Lower Crime Rates (Sort Of...)

Sure, someone might "borrow" your braai tongs and forget to return them, but serious crime? Not so much. If a criminal even thinks about causing trouble, he’ll be caught before he finishes his first boerie roll—because here, everyone knows everyone, and news travels faster than a V8 Ford Ranger on an open farm road.

3. No Fancy Dress Code Needed

In big cities, people dress to impress. In a small town? If you’re wearing shoes, you’re overdressed. Pyjamas at the garage? Standard. Slippers at Checkers? Acceptable. Crocs at a wedding? Well, that depends on the colour.

4. VIP Status at Every Business

Walk into your local Spur Restaurant, and you won’t be greeted with a generic “Welcome” No, sir. It’ll be, “Good Evening’, Tsepo! Your usual table?” You’re not just a customer—you’re a legend.

5. Plenty of Free Entertainment

Forget Netflix—you’ve got street theatre! Nothing beats the drama of a small-town neighbourhood WhatsApp group or the weekly debate at the butchery about which farmer's biltong is best. And if you’re lucky, you might witness an old-fashioned bakkie chase between two family members over a “borrowed” lawnmower.

6. Personalized Emergency Services

Need help? Just call the local mechanic, doctor, or police station—chances are, it's the same guy wearing a different hat. And let’s be honest, if your car breaks down, half the town will stop to help before you even get a chance to Google a tow truck.

7. Affordable Living (With a Few Quirks)

Housing prices? Way cheaper than the city! Just be prepared for some “unique” features, like a bathroom door that doesn’t quite close properly or a kitchen window that’s been “temporarily” fixed since 1998.

8. You’ll Never Get Lost

Directions are simple in a small town: “Turn left at the old bottle store (that’s now a hair salon), go past Johan’s place (his bakkie is always outside), and then right where the road has that big pothole shaped like a heart.” GPS? Pfft. You’ve got Oom Piet’s memory as your guide.

9. You’re Basically a Celebrity

In the city, you’re just another face in the crowd. In Standerton, people greet you by name, and if you ever do something remotely interesting—like adopting a stray chicken—expect to be the talk of the town for at least a week.

10. Strong Community Spirit

All jokes aside, the best thing about small-town life is the sense of community. When times get tough, people rally together. Whether it’s a fundraiser for a family in need or helping fix a neighbour’s fence after a storm, small-town folk look out for each other.

So, next time someone asks why you love living in a place like Standerton, just show them this list. And if they still don’t get it? Well, they’ve clearly never experienced the joy of buying fresh boerewors from the guy who made it himself—or the thrill of finding out who accidentally took your wheelbarrow and swears they thought it was theirs.

*Not actually scientific, but definitely accurate. 😉