From the center of Izmir to a quiet Arkansas town: why I love small-town life in America

October 20, 2026 · 3 min read

I wrote about my first month here before: the sweet bread, the long drives, the mailbox (My first month in small-town Arkansas). That post was about surprises.

This one is about something else. A few months later, the surprises are gone, and one thing is clear: I love this quiet life.

Where I came from

I grew up in the center of Izmir, a city of millions. Traffic, horns, crowds, people arguing in the street, everyone in a hurry. That was normal. I did not even notice it, because I had never lived any other way.

My mornings now

Every morning, I wake up, make my coffee and go out to the yard.

The first thing I hear is birds. Squirrels run along the fence and up the trees. Sometimes, in the morning around ten or eleven, or at sunset, deer come to the edge of the yard. I just sit and watch them.

No traffic. No horns. No noise. Nobody rushing anywhere.

For someone from the middle of a big city, this still feels unreal.

The park

In the afternoons, I often go to the park. There are squirrels everywhere, and they are not very afraid of people.

I put on music on my phone. Nobody tells me to turn it off. Nobody bothers anyone. Everyone minds their own business.

It sounds like a small thing. After a lifetime in a crowded city, it is not.

Fun out here

Small town does not mean boring. Here, fun is outside:

E-bikes. We thought they would be fast. They are fun, but not as fast as we expected.
ATVs. My wife rides an ATV, and I chase her on the e-bike.
Long drives. The roads are wide and empty. A drive is not stress here, it is part of the day.

I share some of these moments on my YouTube channel, in short videos.

What is not perfect

To be honest, small-town life has its costs:

Everything is a drive away. Without a car, you cannot do much. That is why our truck was one of the first big steps: Buying a car as a new immigrant.
Fewer jobs than in a big city.
Less choice in food, shops and international products.
It can be lonely at the start, especially before you can work.

For me, the quiet is worth all of it.

What I would tell someone thinking about a small US town

Do not judge it in the first weeks. The quiet can feel strange at first. Give it time.
Plan for a car. It is not optional here.
Go outside every day. The yard, the park, a walk. That is where the good part is.
Find a hobby that fits the place. Bikes, fishing, hiking, gardening.
If you come from a big city, you may be surprised how much you like it. I was.

Summary

I came from the center of Izmir to a small Arkansas town.
My mornings: coffee in the yard, birds, squirrels, and sometimes deer.
No traffic, no horns, no noise, and nobody gets into your business.
E-bikes, ATVs and long empty roads are the fun here.
It is not perfect, but this quiet life is the part of America I love most.

Going through the same thing? If you are stuck on this step and need help, send me a message. I read every one.
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I am not a lawyer or an accountant. This is my own experience, written down as it happened. Rules change and every case is different, so check with the official source or a professional.

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