what was life like in the town where the story takes place

I suppose this depends on who and when you mean. Initially life in Maycomb, for scout and Jem, is pretty idyllic. Their father is a respected lawyer. Their summers are long filled with endless play. Others didn't fare so well. Still, the town in general is slow and lazy. There are very few secrets. The blacks are segregated and the Ewell's live on a garbage dump. Most of the people are poor, simple and rural. Maycomb is in the South and the way of life has been ingrained in this town for generations. Although the Civil War has long been over, it certainly has not been forgotten.