Pros and Cons of Living in The City vs. The Suburbs

Do you know the advantages and disadvantages of living in the suburbs vs. the city? When looking to buy or rent a home, there are a lot of things to look out for. You need to make sure it has enough space for you, has a design you enjoy and is suitable for your lifestyle.

Thankfully, you will likely be able to find what you’re looking for. This is because there are millions upon millions of existing homes sold in the USA alone every year. This gives you a lot of options. Even if you are a renter, there is a ton of inventory in most areas that range from affordable and economical suites to luxury apartments.

However, in addition to deciding which features you want in your home, you also need to think about where you want to live. Many people opt to live in cities, but most cities have suburbs surrounding them, as well. Living in a city or a suburb each have their own pros and cons that need to be considered before deciding where to live.

So whether you are looking at some Valley Ranch, TX apartments, or a unit in the heart of downtown Dallas, this article will help you learn more about living in the city vs. living in the suburbs. We will go over the many different pros and cons to help you make as informed a decision as possible.

Pros of Living in the City

Much More Convenient

Living in the city makes it easier to do almost anything. Living far away can make seemingly simple things like grocery shopping much more difficult. Always being close to the things you need and use can greatly reduce the amount of time you will waste.

More Excitement and Things to Do

If you live in the city you will generally have more things to do, which can help make your life more exciting. There are more restaurants, parks, museums, shows and other things in general to check out and do. Living in the heart of any major city should keep you from ever getting bored or running out of things to do.

Quicker Commute

The average American is spending a lot of time commuting to work. Because of this, reducing your commute is something many people want to do. Because most jobs are located in cities, if you live in those cities, your commute will likely be much quicker. This faster commute could also save you money. It could save you gas if you drive, or allow you to use public transit to skip owning a car altogether.

Cons of Living in the City

Very Little Quiet Time

While the hustle and bustle of the city can be fun, there are also some times that you will want some peaceful living. Unfortunately, in many cities, this simply isn’t possible. With people all over the place and things always happening, you may miss the quiet time that is offered by living in the suburbs.

Too much action can stress and tire people out, so city living is not always comfortable. Many people have a difficult time sleeping in the city because of all the noise and distractions that can occur on a regular basis.

Normally More Expensive

While more convenient and probably closer to work, buying or renting a home to own in the city is more expensive. There is much more demand and competition, so the prices increase as a result. In addition to your rent or mortgage, your overall cost of living will also be higher as most things are more expensive, from groceries to parking.

Less Space

One drawback of living in a city is that you will often have less space. Lower square footage and less outdoor space are common as those all come at a premium and can be expensive. This can be a big culture shock to those who have never lived in the big city before, so it is undoubtedly something to keep in mind.

Pros of Living in the Suburbs

More Affordable

There is no doubt that one of the most significant benefits of living in the suburbs comes down to affordability. Because you are often further away from amenities and there is less competition, the prices of rent and real estate are usually less.

The cost of living as a whole should also be less, and your dollar will almost always stretch further in the suburbs than in the heart of the big city. This is a significant reason why the millennial home buying trend is to move from the city to the country.

More Simple and Laid-Back Living

If you seek a more laid-back and quiet lifestyle for yourself and your family, living in the suburbs might be for you. There will be fewer people, less commotion and it will be much slower paced. This will allow you to relax and enjoy a lifestyle that is less extreme and action-packed than living in a big city.

Of course, if you crave some excitement or energy, a simple trip into the city can help you satisfy that need.

Larger Spaces and More Room

In the suburbs, you get much more space for your money. In terms of both rentals and purchased homes, larger homes and apartments are cheaper than they would be in the city. While a studio apartment in the city will often be the same (if not more) expensive than in the suburbs.

This isn’t always the case, as every city is different, but the suburbs often offer more value. This is why many families will live in the suburbs, as it allows them as much space as they need, without having to pay an arm and a leg or it!

Cons of Living in the Suburbs

Potentially Long Commute Times

The bane of the existence of most people who live in the suburbs is commute times. Most people who live in the suburbs will need to spend multiple hours every week driving or carpooling to work. This is because most jobs are in the city. As you could imagine, this can waste a ton of time, a lot of gas and be a generally inefficient use of time.

Can be Boring For Some

Living in the suburbs is quiet, but this can often lead to it being boring. There are fewer people, less going on, and finding fun things to do isn’t always easy. There may be a few things you do, but they could get old. Sure, you can go into the city for the excitement, but doing this all the time can potentially be time-consuming and expensive, depending on how far away you are.

Subpar Public Transit

If you don’t own a car or prefer to get around by public transit, the suburbs likely won’t be great for you. Many don’t have the best bus or train service, so individuals can be greatly inconvenienced. In the city, you are never that far from a bus stop or station, but that is not the case in most suburbs. Having a car is often recommended in the suburbs if you so choose to live there.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, we hope that this article has helped you learn some of the pros and cons of living both in the city and the suburbs. Of course, be sure to perform your own research. Take time to think which would work better for your situation and lifestyle.

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About the author: The above article on pros and cons of living in the city vs. the suburbs was written by Kyla Stewart. Kyla is an award-winning writer who discovered her passion for providing knowledge to readers worldwide on topics closest to her heart – real estate. Since her first high school award in Creative Writing, she continues to deliver awesome content through various niches touching the digital sphere.