That's because -- wait for it -- the cost of living is lower in small towns. Not just rent, but everything, is cheaper. And there are far fewer job opportunities in small towns, especially if you're in a specialized or highly trained field.

You know what else is real easy to find in small towns in the country? Corruption, nepotism, racism, wage theft. Pretty much any way for the big fish in the little pond to keep their thumbs on the scale is easy, because there's so few people to call attention to it, and no real incentive for the state to get involved to clean things up.

Maybe that was working in your favor.