Danville

Pastoral life has a reputation for being relaxing, but the cold truth is: It’s a lot of work.

If you think development is bad, consider the alternative: shuttered storefronts, weed-choked sidewalks, and failing schools.

When I asked about the racial history of my hometown, I was told we had nothing to hide. But the truth is much uglier.

There are many things a small town has to offer: friendships, a casual pace not often found in the city, and a feeling of well-being and security no lock can provide. But if you’re looking for privacy, you’re better off in the city, where you can live next door to someone for a dozen years without ever learning their names or knowing anything about them.

“There are quite a few homes on the national historic registry right off the courthouse square, and I love to walk around that neighborhood with my dog,” says jewelry designer Sarah Stogsdill.

There might be no such thing as a fountain of youth, but ice cream sure makes you feel young again.