moving to city suburb area
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One of the more difficult decisions you may have to make when moving is deciding whether to live in the suburbs or in the city. This decision can become even more difficult if you are moving with children. For those who are currently living in the city, suburban life would be appealing.

Are you torn between a peaceful house in a neighborhood flanked by trees and a funky apartment in the center of the city? The breadth of alternatives when it comes to living in the city vs the suburbs makes choosing where you want to live a challenging decision.

You’ve found the perfect resource if you’re trying to select between a house in the city or the suburbs. In comparing city and suburban living, this article will examine factors like:

Lifestyles \Costs
Work Possibilities
Possibilities for entertainment

Before moving, learn what to anticipate, and use this information to decide if an urban or suburban residence is the best choice for your family.

You might examine your options and your budget while determining what to do next. The cost of living varies considerably between different geographic areas. However, there are a few universal principles that hold true in all situations.

Suburbs Pros and Cons

In the suburbs, life is fairly easy going and this is mainly due to the fact that there isn’t any type of traffic in the neighborhood and the streets are not busy with an influx of people either. What you do get in this type of neighborhood is great parking and wide, open living spaces. This means that your nearest neighbor would be a few doors down from where you live.

In addition, suburban life offers you a chance to get one with nature since you have the luxury of having your own garden where you can grow plants and fruits. The perfect places to raise children, homes in the suburbs are very affordable, especially when considering the size of the house and land you are likely to get.

If you are thinking about relocating to the suburbs, be prepared to drive to get to some of the stores and places to go shopping. Even if you do not own a car, it would be best to carpool to get the things that you want, since public transportation is not always readily available.

The suburbs, though, are more than just wider yards and bigger houses. Aside from providing conveniences like adjacent grocery stores, retail businesses, and residential parks, these regions also give an alternative to the busy, loud city streets.

It has long been propagated—and is completely untrue—that there is no entertainment in suburbs. The suburbs may not offer the same variety of cultural possibilities, but these communities do have enormous shopping and regional exhibitions that are exclusive to rural areas.

Although there are a few extra expenses related to living in the suburbs, overall, this way of life is less expensive than living in a metropolis. Additionally, keep in mind that you are receiving more room than you could ever find in a metropolis.

City Pros and Cons

For those who plan to be city dwellers, you should be prepared to pay for the high price tag that goes along with the city. This kind of life offers an abundance of clustered buildings, high rises, and a myriad of stores that are conveniently located within mere walking distance. Parking is tough when you live in the city and not to mention it is also expensive to live downtown. There is hustle and bustle when you live downtown, and the traffic can be somewhat overwhelming.

What most would love about downtown dwelling is the fact that getting around is easy with public transportation.  Rent and apartment rental or buying are not only expensive if you were to compare it with suburbs, but you also do not get a large amount of space for the price. Most people who have moved from suburban areas have had to downsize their style of living and ultimately choose to sell or store their items in storage.

It is not surprising that the city tops the list of the most expensive locations to live. Although there are some suburban areas where real estate expenses are lower than in cities, on the whole, city living is more expensive due to greater food and transportation expenditures as well as higher rental prices. Depending on how far outside the city you are prepared to travel, living in the city might be very difficult and expensive for a woman 50+.

Cities often have a younger adult population skew. You might meet more individuals your age in a city if you’re a member of Gen Z or the Millennial generation. Young adults statistically tend to be more urban than older individuals, but this shouldn’t stop anyone of any age from relocating to a big city. Cities are teeming with activity and a variety of activities that appeal to both young and old immigrants.

Your Career Matters

Your career should be a major factor in whether you choose to live in the city or the suburbs. If you work in the landscaping industry, for instance, you might have trouble finding employment in the city because there isn’t much of a need for landscape designers. The reality is that most city residences do not have vast yards with grass that needs to be cut, and there is likely significant competition for landscaping jobs. Similar to how a corporate executive can discover that suburban living lacks the accessibility and convenience of city living.

Children and Pets

Homes in the suburbs are typically significantly larger than those in cities. Your children and dogs will be able to stretch out more in the suburbs thanks to this additional space. Additionally, suburban homes often have at least a small yard. Small children and pets will love it here.

On the other hand, urban residents who have pets or children must rely on parks for their outdoor activities. The stress on parents is increased as a result. You have to take time out of your schedule to stroll your kids and animals to the park instead of just having them play outside in the backyard.

Schools

Moving to the suburbs may be the best course of action if education systems are a concern for your family. In fact, the superior school districts in prosperous smaller cities are one of the top reasons to move to the suburbs. Suburbs typically have better-rated public schools than large cities.

Before determining where to move, do your homework on the suburbs’ school systems. Everyone has a different idea of what constitutes a “great” school, so what they think is a top-notch institution of learning may not be the best fit for you. For instance, a creative, free-thinking youngster with artistic talent may not be the best fit for a school with strong discipline and a demanding curriculum that places only a priority on test scores.

Health

The suburban lifestyle is not a panacea for health-related problems. People typically bike or walk to their destinations in cities. But because there are few advanced public transportation options in suburbs, most people drive everywhere they go.

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Written by Margarita Hakobyan
Margarita Hakobyan is the founder and CEO of MoversCorp.com. She has published more than 300 articles about moving, storage, and home organizing, making her a moving specialist since she began writing about the moving industry in 2005. Follow her on LinkedIn and Twitter.