DB in NJ Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Just saw an adorable small town on TV that looks like it *would* be Bedford Falls if they actually decorated for Christmas :glare: Does such a place still exist? Are there any small, thriving towns left in the U.S.? If so, please tell me. I want to live there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5sweeties Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 How small, is "small?" I live in the western US, and there are a lot of great towns that I could recommend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigitte Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 I don't know what or where Bedford Falls is, but Abingdon, Va. is a beautiful, small town that is bustling. The arts are alive and well there. It is close enough to big stores, but they are not right there in town (they are down where I am). It is a town that you can walk around, and the library and farmer's market are fabulous. Abingdon is a white collar town, but housing prices are very affordable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Glens Falls. There are lots of small towns in New England and upstate NY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonshineLearner Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 You're in New Jersey, right? I lived in Leonia when I was 21 (I'm 37 now) small and sweet place. Of course, remember, can you steer clear of all politics...because in a small town, you must not become involved in politics....or you know all the good and evil main people in town... Carrie:-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 This photo I took last year after my town's annual lighted Christmas parade always makes me think of George Bailey and Bedford Falls.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Hate to break it to you but Bedford Falls was a stage set. And as it happens the set was built about a mile down the road from us and is now the site of my son's soccer field. Now about Santa Claus...:001_huh: Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Hate to break it to you but Bedford Falls was a stage set. Yes, I'm sure Donna is aware of the fact that Bedford Falls was a Capra-esque creation.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Yes, I'm sure Donna is aware of the fact that Bedford Falls was a Capra-esque creation.:) And she knows about Santa too ;):D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Have you looked at small university towns? They often remain thriving due to the influx of student money. St Andrews in Scotland is one such, but might be a bit far for you. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in MO Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 This photo I took last year after my town's annual lighted Christmas parade always makes me think of George Bailey and Bedford Falls.:) our small town's annual Christmas parade in the downtown section. I honestly did a double-take, as some of the buildings are so similar. We live in a great small town, but we don't have a regular bookstore (we need a Barnes & Noble) and we could use a few other things. That street does look almost exactly like the main street going through our downtown, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 The only reason I can think of is if cattle used to be brought through, but is that the real reason? I'm always seeing these wide streets in films. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 our small town's annual Christmas parade in the downtown section. I honestly did a double-take, as some of the buildings are so similar. Yes, it's probably fairly typical, with the exception of the windmill (not visible in the picture). We live in a great small town, but we don't have a regular bookstore (we need a Barnes & Noble) and we could use a few other things. Oh, same here. This town suffers from the WalMart syndrome, like most of America. But it is a thriving place in many respects and I am happy to have the post office, library, piano teacher, park, doctor, dentist, and many shops all within a half mile radius ~ and an easy bike ride away from our farm, nonetheless. My heart belongs down the road in the bigger, college city, though. That's where my food co-op is, as well as some truly great local shops ~ including a fantastic book store.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 The only reason I can think of is if cattle used to be brought through, but is that the real reason? Yes, in a lot of cases, that was the real reason. Angled parking is another. There's angled parking on either side of the street I photographed, so when cars are parked, the actual driving lanes are quite narrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karenciavo Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Have a spare 1/2 million or so? What about Haddonfield or Moorestown? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paz Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 I grew up in the town where Jimmy Stewart was born. It is still a lot like Bedford Falls. They have a Jimmy Stewart museum and decorate the downtown main street for Christmas. http://pics4.city-data.com/cpic/ufiles199.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in MO Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 The only reason I can think of is if cattle used to be brought through, but is that the real reason? I'm always seeing these wide streets in films. Laura exactly sure why that is, although your guess is a good one. Our main street honestly doesn't seem that wide, although it looks a lot like Colleen's. It could be the angle of the camera. We only have two lanes down our main street, and the parking is not angled; cars have to parallel park. Many towns in Europe have large public squares, which I think are really cool. Maybe the large main street in the US is our version of "cool". :D I believe Nicollett Mall in downtown Minneapolis allows for no vehicular traffic, and there are shops along the road, plus at times there are certain festivals held there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacy in NJ Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 I have to, have to suggest Pottersville, NJ. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2242/2288824256_77672deb26.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Our main street honestly doesn't seem that wide, although it looks a lot like Colleen's. It could be the angle of the camera. We only have two lanes down our main street, and the parking is not angled; cars have to parallel park. Driving lanes and parking spaces are much narrower in Britain, with an assumption of smaller cars. There's no way that my parents-in-law's American car would fit into the spaces at our supermarket car park. Many of the villages that I drive through daily have less than one lane each way, i.e., no-one has off-road parking, so there will always be parking in one of the driving lanes. People are pretty good about waiting for each other to go along the one free lane. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB in NJ Posted December 17, 2008 Author Share Posted December 17, 2008 Hate to break it to you but Bedford Falls was a stage set. And as it happens the set was built about a mile down the road from us and is now the site of my son's soccer field. Now about Santa Claus...:001_huh: Bill Bill, thank you so much for the info, but I know Bedford Falls is fictional....I just wish it weren't and that I could live there. And hey, what about Santa? :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB in NJ Posted December 17, 2008 Author Share Posted December 17, 2008 Have a spare 1/2 million or so? What about Haddonfield or Moorestown? Well, yeah, that's the problem w/those places! LOL My aunt lives in Haddonfield, and we actually lived in Moorestown when we were first married. Bordentown is probably the closest to Bedford Falls around here, and I don't think it's as pricey as the other two, but it's so far away from the rest of my life. Hmmmm..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB in NJ Posted December 17, 2008 Author Share Posted December 17, 2008 I have to, have to suggest Pottersville, NJ. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2242/2288824256_77672deb26.jpg How cute!! And the irony of it all!!! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 We have a restored movie theatre thanks to Michael Moore and our little downtown looks EXACTLY like Bedford Falls in the snow with the flashing lights on the theatre sign now. It's breathtaking in the downtown at night. Of course, this is Michigan so we're great to move to if you have another job out of state or you're in medicine right now. Otherwise, there's no work here and it's going to get a LOT worse if the automakers go under. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailV Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Hate to break it to you but Bedford Falls was a stage set. And as it happens the set was built about a mile down the road from us and is now the site of my son's soccer field. Now about Santa Claus...:001_huh: Bill Oh, sure, next thing we know you'll be banging on the cash register and yelling out, "Look at me! I'm giving out angel wings!" every time it jingles.:glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsMe Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 This photo I took last year after my town's annual lighted Christmas parade always makes me think of George Bailey and Bedford Falls.:) Oh, I want to be here!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 (edited) I think that Sioux Falls SD is much like Bedford Falls. Very stable economically and socially. Hardly any crime, good housing market and schools. Family oriented, lots of parks, biking trails, and culture. Not too large- 140,000 but large enough for good shopping, fine restaurants, etc. Voted Money Mags "Top 10 places to live" a few years back. Below is a picture of the falls decorated for Christmas. Edited December 18, 2008 by laughing lioness picture added Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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