Suburban Life Vs. City Life

Where you choose to live is a major contributor to who you are as a person.

 

Choosing between suburban life vs. city life can be a tough choice for some, but easier for others. Two very different sets of benefits determine whether homeowners are drawn to the suburbs or to the inner city. There are many factors to consider, including the cost of living, proximity to work and lifestyle when choosing between the two. It is very important to understand how life in the suburbs and cities differ. After understanding the pattern, buyers can make their pick more easily.

Just a quick rundown on what suburban living is and what city life is, in case you forgot from 5th-grade social studies, because I know I don’t remember everything from 5th grade!

City living is an active nightlife, full of noise, sophisticated public transit system, and sometimes small and expensive city apartments.

 

 

 

Suburbs are large residential areas away from the core of town yet close enough to the city center. Single-family houses are typically found in the suburbs.

 

 

 

Here are the 4 most important topics to consider when deciding between the city or the suburbs.

 

1. LIFESTYLE

Your lifestyle is one of the primary considerations in deciding where you ought to live.

Very often the suburban life has more of a sense of community: a very neighborly vibe, safer environment for kids and more green and outdoorsy activities.  The city, on the other hand, offers a vibrant and dynamic climate with a easy access to cultural activities, entertainment, and recreational options. Proximity to work and friends may motivate you to live in the city as well.

Basically, you have to ask yourself a few questions: Are you looking to become a homeowner instead of renting? School districts matter? Are you okay paying more money for private schools? What’s non-negotiable and what has flexibility? Lastly, where do you think you will thrive as an individual or collectively as a family?

 

2. CULTURAL FIT

Cities generally have more cultural diversity. There are museums, festive events, and more restaurants to choose from. You can people watch and experience being around people from all over the world and hear different languages. The further into the suburbs you go through, the more standardized your range of experiences. In some suburbs, the range of dining options is limited to chain restaurants and food courts.

 

 

3. TRANSPORTATION

Cities are convenient in the sense that you’ll always be close enough to public transportation and won’t have to drive everywhere. You are encouraged to walk, get exercise and you don’t have to worry about driving everywhere. You could stop and take in the window displays or get a bite at a street fair or farmer’s market.  In the suburbs, however, most homes have an extremely low walk-score and require cars even for day-to-day errands. But it is more convenient to be able to buy groceries and easily transport them to your car versus walking the city streets.

In urban settings, people usually walk or bike to where they are going. But since most suburbs lack sophisticated public transportation, people typically drive everywhere they go, and this can contribute to health problems. So if you choose the suburbs makes sure you come up with an exercise routine.

 

4. COST

Choosing whether to live in the city or the suburbs usually comes down to the budget—where can you afford to live? For the most part, living the city is more expensive than the suburbs. Real estate prices in the suburbs are cheaper per square foot, which means you can get more space for your buck. For many couples with children, city homes within a reasonable price range may be too small for comfort. The benefits of the suburbs are you get more space for your buck. Kids will have room for toys and plus you can have your own backyard with a garden and plenty of space to entertain.

 

 

Whatever situation you imagine yourself in, you can make it work for you. It just depends on what tradeoffs you’re willing to live with. To assess what is best for you, you should figure out what your definition of quality of life is. This, of course, depends on perception and personal preferences. This is usually influenced by your attitude toward life, where you work and how much you can afford.

 

Looking for a city home or suburban home, I have you covered! Contact me today to get started on the home search or click here to view my current listings.