City living vs suburbs

Posted on Tuesday, November 22nd, 2016

Choosing where to live can be a very difficult decision. There are lots of factors to consider, and you may have to take the needs of your family into account as well. Every person and situation is different, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution to whether city or suburban living is best. They are two completely different entities and have different things on offer for residents.

If you’ve been weighing up whether you’d like to live in the city or the suburbs, take a look at the list of things you should consider below before you make your decision.

Requirements

First, you need to decide why you’re moving home. Are you looking to move closer to work? Nearer the best schools? Do you want a more relaxed way of life? Or are you interested in living somewhere more cosmopolitan and vibrant than your present village, town or city? You need to try to decide which location fits your needs best. Otherwise, you could move to an area that is completely the wrong fit for you and your family.

Space

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to you that living space in our cities comes at a premium. It is already estimated that 54% of the world’s population live in cities. When you combine this figure with all of the amenities, traffic hubs and recreational areas that most cities come with, it’s easy to see why so many of them are cramped. Properties in the city are often more expensive, too.

In the suburbs, you have more space to yourself, although you will be further away from the facilities that a city can offer. Most suburban houses come with back gardens and larger rooms, too, so there is more room for your family to relax and breathe.

Transport

Cities usually have more sophisticated transport networks than the suburbs, which makes them great if you’re looking for a way to get around without driving. However, the roads are usually busier, which could result in a more stressful journey.

Public transport tends to be less advanced in the suburbs, and you may have to rely on an infrequent bus or train service to get to the nearest city or wherever you work. Of course, you could drive if you have a car, but this could result in a large proportion of your income being spent on petrol – especially if you live a fair distance out of the city.

You will have to decide which method of getting around you would prefer, and you may have to consult with the rest of your family before settling on a decision on where exactly to live and how you will commute to and from work on a day-to-day basis.

The best fit

Cities are vibrant places and a melting pot of cultures, languages and activities. They are incredibly busy, but if you prefer this non-stop, energising lifestyle, perhaps this type of living is the best fit for you.

Suburban areas offer a slightly slower way of life. In fact, they can be a good middle ground between rural and city living. Housing is affordable and the transport links into the city are often very good. However, you should be aware that suburban areas cannot match the bigger cities in terms of facilities, so you will need to weigh this up before you commit.

There are many more things that you’ll need to consider before deciding on which option is right for you, so it’s important to conduct thorough research. It’s all about gaining a clearer picture in your mind of what you want, before making some compromises to secure the best fit.