Why I Left My Small Town… And Why I Regret It | S1 E1: Perham, Minnesota

Growing up in this small town, all Cory Hepola ever thought about was moving to a big city to chase his dreams. Now, a 40-something husband with three little kids, Cory wonders what it would be like to move back? Curious, Cory meets with a man who chose to move to rural Minnesota and found exactly what he was looking for at an iconic candy company.

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V I D E O T O W A T C H N E X T :

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#smalltown #rural #wrestling #candy #licorice #america #minnesota

[MyTownSeries]

Where are you watching from? Let us know in the comments below 👇

[MattGraunke]

Good stuff! Subscribed. Found it via LinkedIn. Totally relatable, moved from the suburbs to Lake Country to get some land, some space, and some 'me' time.

[hellofromastranger]

Absolutely gorgeous. Beautifully filmed and so much heart! Can't wait to see the rest of the show!

[Sebman]

I love those small Minnesota towns. The sort of place where the kids are smart, The air is clean, The winters are cold. The sort of town where Friday nights are with friends and/or family, on the lake fishing on Saturday, and going to the Lutheran Church Sunday morning, watching the vikes in the afternoon with friends and family.

[julieolson]

Great stories! Looking forward to more episodes and seeing what makes each small town a community! Very special film series. Thanks for doing this series!

[rickybs]

Great Job! I can't wait for the next episode!

[williamdertinger]

Great show - I’m glad it showed up in my feed

[pattimlloyd]

This was great! Watching from Long Prairie, MN

My daughter was in this, making popcorn 🍿 😁

[patrickbachman]

since I left home (Brainerd) right after high school, I find this eerily similar to my journey back home. After 47 years, Marion Lake south of Perham is my retirement home.

[toddguse]

This was a wonderful show to watch. It made my day and likely beyond. Thank you! I had a similar story, I moved from East Bethel, MN to Minneapolis and then to Zimmerman, MN back to East Bethel.

[hyrumsmith]

Watching from Rice Lake (near Duluth), MN. Grew up in Corcoran, small town west of Minneapolis, and went to Rockford schools until high school, when I transferred to Wayzata. Man, what a change that was. I loved growing up in a rural area, and I hope my kids can have that life as well. The freedom, the space, the people. So many great memories and experiences that shaped who I am today.

[tinmanisawesome]

Perspective is the greatest gift in life. We don't realize anything fully until our perspective is given a chance to flourish. I am from Kittson County in MN about 15 miles from Canada. It has been the greatest gift life could give me. Instead of not knowing my neighbors in some of the bigger towns I've lived in, i live in a town of 50 but personally know more people from towns surrounding my hometown than i ever met in the time i lived in towns of 100, 000 plus people. Its not better or worse but the normal i enjoy waking up in every day.

[wendyredland]

Oh my goodness Cory...I remember meeting you when you covered a story on our small town Community about 10 years ago...America's Best Communities competition. You came to Lindstrom, MN to the Chisago Lakes Chamber and shared the Chisago Lakes Community's journey in the competition. You and your wife had just had your twins and I too have 3 kids...a daughter and then twin boys within 22 months. Mine are now 24 yrs and 22 yrs. My sister in law's mother and father in law lived in Dent and the family farmland is still in the family there. Perham and Dent are such great places. My family lives in Almelund which is a super great tiny township and we loved raising our kids here. So fun to see your story. Move to Small Town America...there's nothing better!! The night sky is amazing!!! :)

[cd]

Best thing is to find a small town near a big town. That's what I did. I live in the country surrounded by woods but I can be in a downtown large city area in only 16minutes.

[trishjohnson]

Btw, I work for Leighton Media and our Intern wanted to look into doing an interview with you? This is so fun!

[doorflipz]

great video look forward to the next. do one on sauk centre at some point felling trailers is the company i can compare in this video easily with how much they do for that community

[jessicalhansoncht]

Watching from Willmar, MN.
Grew up just north of Perham, MN.
It’s always good to go home no matter how far you roam.

[funkslawncareservice]

Rural areas are wonderful. Perham is a great town

[corey]

I grew up about 20 miles from Perham. I now live in Idaho, but in a small town very similar to where I left in MN. Love visiting Northern MN, especially the lakes and rolling hills in Becker and Ottertail counties. But I won't be moving back. The West is the place for me.

[robinnewstron]

Always lived up north . Couldn’t imagine living down by the cities or even Duluth lol .