I’ve always considered myself a city girl. While I grew up in Kitchener (not exactly an urban mecca, I know), I never missed an episode of Fashion Television where Jeanne Beker would take me to Paris, London and New York. These shiny capitals became my kindred city spirits and so there was no debate that after university, I would move to Toronto. Then came marriage and I found myself pin-dropped on an off-the-map plot of acreage outside of St. Thomas (insert birds chirping here). Not only was I miles away from my daily lattes, my fave sushi shop and my beloved Bloor St., I had no idea just what to do with all of this space.
And so I drove. With my newborn napping in the back, I would make the 45-minute trek to London, just to get my green tea latte fix. And my husband, baby and I would jump on the 401 to head back to Toronto almost weekly, just to escape the silence of our bucolic abode.
Nine years later, my drives have gotten more frequent but also much shorter as I’ve learned to adjust to life in a small town. And like any avid shopper knows, it’s the thrill of the hunt that produces the biggest rewards. Now, my weekends are packed with super fun things to do and incredible little places to visit, all within 20 minutes of where I live.
Here’s how make the most of your weekend on a budget, no matter where you live:
- Talk to people! Nobody writes exhaustive guidebooks about tiny little towns. Your friends and neighbours are your best source for finding those hidden gems you’d otherwise pass by.
- Make a 30-kilometre weekend rule. Staying local helps you to visit shops, restaurants and local attractions you might have otherwise ignored. You’ll save time and money when you don’t have to stay somewhere overnight.
- Get creative. We might not regularly hit up big concerts or the coolest new restaurants, but we live 5 minutes from the lake. Every weekend, we get to take our kids for long walks on the beach (romantic, huh?) and feel like we’ve had a mini vacation.
- Lose the attitude. I wasted so much time those first few years focusing on the negative aspects of living in a small town. Look for the positives (no traffic jams, lower cost of living, less stress, stars you can actually see, loads of unpolluted oxygen?) and you will find them.
- Leave your wallet at home. Now that we have kids, our budgets are a bit more stretched than they used to be. Geocache on your local trails, visit a local farm (free petting zoo), and hit up weekend festivals. Every city, no matter how small, has loads of opportunities for free fun.
Happy weekend! (Isn’t it always?)
Disclosure - This post was brought to you by Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited via Mode Media Canada. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited.
