Alt-text: An aerial view of houses and lawns in a suburban area with a roundabout.
Recently, there has been a noticeable surge in the number of people moving from the city to the suburbs. Several different factors influence people’s decision to move from the city to smaller and more peaceful areas in the vicinity. If this is something you have thought about, you need to make sure you know both the pros and cons of moving to the suburbs. Once you know the benefits and pitfalls of life in suburbia, you can make an informed decision that will help you reach your goals and lead the lifestyle that suits you.
The pros
There are various benefits of suburban life, some of which are even more evident than usual during these trying times and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Affordability
Property prices in suburban areas tend to be quite a bit lower than in the city. This also applies to rental rates. For that reason, many people are choosing to move to the suburbs during these uncertain financial times. For the equivalent of a small flat price in the city, one could buy a suburban house with a yard and all. Because of the current pandemic, you should familiarize yourself with the process of buying your house remotely. This way, you can find the place you want and stay safe.
Alt-Text: Being able to own a house surrounded by greenery is one of the pros of moving to the suburbs.
Caption: If you dream about living in a house with a yard the suburbs might be just the place for you.
Sense of community
It may not seem like an important factor, but to many, the sense of community that suburban life provides is an essential aspect of life. Lower population change rates, meaning a lower flux of people moving in and out of the neighborhood, means that suburban residents have a greater chance to get to know their neighbors and develop meaningful, long-lasting relationships.
Safety
Another result of a more tightly knit community is increased safety. The simple fact that your neighbors know you and your habits well means they are more likely to notice any suspicious behavior or anything out of the ordinary around your property. Not only that, but they are more likely to communicate their concerns to you due to a closer relationship. Many suburbs also develop some sort of “community watch” program, which contributes towards safety.
Peace of mind
A safe and closely-knit community tends to offer suburban residents more peace of mind and tranquility than is the case with their city inhabiting counterparts. Knowing your children are playing in the safety of your back yard or within the confines of a gated community will ensure you have less to worry about than in the city.
Flexibility and freedom
Life in the suburbs offers more flexibility and freedom in more ways than one. Imagine that you wish to conduct some home improvements or upgrades such as installing environmentally friendly and energy-saving heat pumps or solar panels. It can be done easily in a suburban property you own, whereas you are bound to face several obstacles to conduct the same project in an apartment in the city.
Privacy
While suburban communities are more close-knit than those in the city, at the same time, you will enjoy more privacy in the suburbs. The simple fact that the population density in the suburbs is much lower than in the city means that fewer people can disturb you or see what you are up to in the privacy of your home.
Space
Perhaps one of the most significant influencing factors in people’s decision-making process to move to the suburbs is the fact that they can have more space than in the city. The lower property prices mean they will be able to afford a larger property, with more space than they would be able to in the city.
Fewer crowds and less traffic
No one enjoys dealing with crowded streets and traffic. Unfortunately, these two things are an everyday occurrence in most cities around the world. This is not the case in most suburbs though, meaning that suburban life is less stressful. Avoiding large crowds is of particular interest during the Covid-19 pandemic and the need for social distancing.
Alt-Text: A large number of vehicles stuck in a traffic jam.
Caption: Moving away from the city will reduce the number of traffic jams you encounter.
If all of the above sounds precisely like what you are looking for, you should contact Verified Movers and begin your stress-free move to the suburbs.
The cons
As with everything in life, it is important to keep a balanced view and know that there are two sides to every coin. The same can be said about life in the suburbs, so let’s take a look at what the cons of suburban life are.
Less diversity
Having fewer inhabitants per square mile means that there is also a less diverse population in the suburbs. Whilst cities offer a multicultural environment, suburbs do so to a much lesser extent. Living in a multicultural society is beneficial as it helps us accept diversity and learn about different traditions and cultures.
More maintenance
Although living in a larger property is fantastic, there is also a larger property to maintain. Mowing the lawn is something you might not ever think about when living in an apartment in the city. But it could be part of your weekly chores if you live in a house in the suburbs. There will be a larger surface area to vacuum, dust, and mop. You will also have to pay more attention to the exterior of your property, which means you will need to be on the lookout for affordable curb appeal ideas or house upgrades, depending on your new home state.
Fewer job opportunities
Cities tend to have a higher concentration of businesses than suburbs. This means that they also have more job opportunities to offer. Finding a job in the suburbs might be a tough ask, especially now when job loss is growing and even more so if you are trained in a highly specialized field.
Fewer entertainment options
Finding a bar, club, or restaurant you enjoy is pretty easy if you live in a big city as the high population density means that there are many potential customers for pretty much any style on offer. The same cannot be said for the suburbs. One of the most common complaints coming from people who live in the suburbs is the lack of entertainment options such as live music venues, a variety of restaurants, clubs, or theatres.
Alt-Text: A Dj in front of the crowd.
Caption: Consider how important having different entertainment options is to you and your family and examine what is on offer before making a decision.
Longer commute times
The suburbs do have less traffic. But if you plan on moving to the suburbs and working in the nearest city, be prepared to face longer commute times. Also, public transport networks tend to provide less coverage. This can mean that you might have to change more than one bus line to get to your destination.
The conclusion
Given the current situation regarding the global Covid-19 pandemic, suburban life probably offers a safer alternative to life in the city. We face new challenges every day, and recent events are changing the game and increasing the number of suburb orientated moves. The explanation for this shift comes down to the risk of exposure to the virus — the dangers of exposure grow with increased population density and social interactions.
The only thing we can conclude is that there are both benefits and downsides to living in the suburbs. What is better for you depends on what it is you are looking for.
If you are searching for a place where you can enjoy a balance of the benefits of being close to the city but at the same time relish more space and privacy with fewer people, moving to the suburbs might be just the thing for you.
Used images:
https://unsplash.com/photos/f9qZuKoZYoY
https://unsplash.com/photos/178j8tJrNlc
https://unsplash.com/photos/rEl0oE28zqE
https://unsplash.com/photos/nLUb9GThIcg