“Small towns” today have basically become dilapidated impoverished shitholes that are dying out. “Small towns” in the boomer nostalgic sense were killed by suburban sprawl.

West Allis is two miles from downtown Milwaukee

Basically every small town I’ve ever been to has the average age and general atmosphere of a nursing home

I don’t have the resources to leave. My entire support structure is here

The only places I could afford to own my own home were this and suburban psychosis. It probably helps that I didn’t grow up here and I’m already in with some of the nice boomer libs who know everyone, though. I will say it’s nice still being able to walk everywhere.