It's been 4 months now since we pulled up roots in Oakville, Ontario and drove an hour and a bit in a south western direction to Tavistock, Ontario.
Oakville - Population 175,000 - Tavistock - Population - 2,400
Oakville is a fairly well known name. It's an upscale community on the shores of Lake Ontario midway between the metropolitan cities of Toronto and Hamilton.
Tavistock, not so much. Tavistock's claim to fame is playing host to the annual World Crokinole Championship. This year the games are being held June 4th. Tavistock only has one stoplight but it controls a wonky 5 way intersection.
When people were asking me where I was moving to I often told them Stratford, Ontario. Stratford is a much more recognizable name, famous for the Shakespeare Festival, and, oh yeah, Justin Bieber.
I zip down the backroads in 15 minutes to Stratford on an almost daily basis. My RE/MAX office is there as are my parents and major stores and restaurants. Tavistock offers a local grocery store, drug store, a couple of restaurants, a liquor store, 3 hardware stores, Tim Hortons coffee shop, two gas stations, a couple variety stores and a number of other service providers.
The owners of the furniture store also operate the funeral home on the other side of the street. There are also a couple of feed mills and I'm getting used to the different smells eminating from those mills. It often smells like a brewery here actually.
Tavistock also offers a quieter environment, and a peaceful setting amongst some of the richest agricultural land in Ontario. Townsfolk wave to you even if they don't know who you are.
When I'd tell people in Oakville I was moving to Tavistock, I'd see the blank stare on their faces. So it was just as easy to say Stratford. I've also told people I live in the Stratford area. Now that we've moved, if people in Stratford ask me where I live they know where Tavistock is.
In fact many say "oh you live in Tavi". Yup, Tavistock has a nickname. Right now I'm just getting used to saying I live in Tavistock. 
I'm not sure when (or if) I will be able to call my community Tavi. I guess if that word ever does slip off my tongue, I will know I'm here for the long haul.
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