We unloaded the move-in truck four months ago, and I was left in a strange town. It was a Saturday, and on Monday I would have my first day as a real-life journalist at The Emporia Gazette, formerly owned by journalism legend William Allen White.

Emporia’s population is roughly 25,000. I don’t remember living anywhere smaller than Overland Park, which has 181,000 people and still felt small enough.

Since that day, I’ve learned how to survive in a small town. Daily lessons include

• Making friends with the local barista (a vital contributor to my existence)
• Learning to drive slowly enough to not accidentally kill all the pedestrians
• Saying “hello” to people I don’t know on the streets
• Accepting a drive through the Flint Hills, a hot bath and bottle of wine as a beautiful night in
• Realizing how lucky I am to live in a city where I am within walking distance from Chinese, donuts, pizza, frozen yogurt, a liquor store and (after consuming the above) a  gym
• Living in a real community that knows and (usually) cares for one another

So here we go — a how-to guide for surviving small-town life (and even loving it). Even if you’re young, single and urban-grown. Welcome.