Anonymous wrote:They are snobs and will soon be jealous of the things you can afford with your small town life. I grew up in a Midwestern college town and I don’t think there is a better combination of low cost of living + hip, mid-priced stores and restaurants + cultural opportunities (independent films, speakers, concerts, awesome camps for kids) + local schools with educated, involved parents.

+1
The town I grew up in was not a college town but was in central PA not far from other cultural amenities. COL way lower, schools were much better, community was stronger.
They sound very snobby and like they actually do not know what they are talking about in terms of what each area has to offer. Although DC has way more available I go to far fewer cultural things than my folks in my hometown do because doing stuff in this area is such by a mob scene.

Put-downs are rude. Whatever the topic. They are choosing to be rude. You can and perhaps should tell them - that their comments are rude. Don't accept "being too sensitive" as a come-back. If anyone, family included, continue to be rude ... just as anyone else ... you would choose to see/interact with them less.

They are taking that risk. You can tell them that too.