When considering where to live, people often have to choose between living in the suburbs or in the city. Both options come with pros and cons that are important to consider based on individual preferences and lifestyle. This article will explore some of the key factors that differentiate living in the suburbs from living in the city, including cost of living, commute times, access to amenities, safety, space, and sense of community.
Suburbs vs the city
Here’s a comparison table highlighting key points between suburbs and the city:
| Aspect | Suburbs | City |
|---|---|---|
| Space | Generally more spacious homes | Higher density, smaller living spaces |
| Lifestyle | Quieter, family-oriented living | Vibrant, fast-paced environment |
| Amenities | Limited shopping and dining | Abundant options for shopping, dining, and entertainment |
Cost of Living
Housing Costs
In general, housing in the suburbs tends to be more affordable than housing in urban city centers. The average home price in major U.S. cities is over $400,000, while the average home price in suburban areas is closer to $300,000. Rent prices also tend to be lower in the suburbs – the average suburban rental rate being around $1,400 per month compared to over $2,000 per month in major cities.
Other Expenses
While housing may be more expensive in the city, living in the suburbs often comes with higher transportation costs. Without good public transportation access, residents must rely on personal vehicles for commuting into the city as well as for daily errands and activities. Factoring in costs of car payments, insurance, maintenance and gasoline, the overall transportation budget tends to be significantly greater for suburban residents compared to those who live in urban areas with walkable neighborhoods and reliable public transit systems. Other living expenses like groceries and utilities also tend to be slightly higher in suburban areas.
Commute Times
One of the biggest trade-offs of living in the suburbs is longer commute times into major employment hubs located within cities. While an average suburban commute is around 25 minutes each way, commutes from outer suburbs can extend to over an hour each day. City living allows much shorter commute times of 15 minutes or less on average since most major job centers are within walking or public transit distance. Shorter commutes allow for more free time and less stress. However, working from home has become more common which helps offset longer suburban commutes.
Access to Amenities
Entertainment and Dining
Cities offer a much wider variety of entertainment and dining options that are accessible on foot or via public transit. Major concert venues, theatrical stages, art galleries, museums, clubs and an eclectic mix of ethnic cuisines are typically concentrated within city limits. Suburban areas tend to lack the same density and diversity of amenities, often requiring a car trip into the city for cultural events and dining experiences beyond casual dining.
Groceries and Shopping
While both cities and suburbs offer major grocery store chains and big box retailers, urban neighborhoods feature a variety of independent grocers, specialty food shops and vibrant shopping districts ideal for walking or transit use. Suburban commercial areas are usually designed around large parking lots and vehicular access, providing less options for shopping without a car. Cities also have access to large regional malls, outlet centers and wholesale retailers not always accessible by public transit from the ‘burbs.
Green Space and Outdoor Activities
Cities provide access to expansive parks, nature trails, beaches and recreational facilities within city limits. However, suburban and exurban neighborhoods typically offer even larger private yards and lots as well as nearby regional parks perfect for family recreational activities. Many suburban communities are also located close to rural towns and agricultural areas ideal for horseback riding, hunting, fishing and other outdoor pastimes.
Safety
Crime rates are often perceived to be higher in large cities compared to suburban neighborhoods and small towns located outside major metro areas. However, statistical data shows that property and violent crimes occur in both urban and suburban locales. Well-policed and affluent city neighborhoods with strong community ties can be just as safe as suburbs. Overall, factors like income levels, proximity to social services, and neighborhood demographics have a greater influence on public safety than broad categorizations of geographic locations. Well-lit streets, engaged homeowners associations and small town policies also help maintain security in suburban and smaller exurban communities.
Space and Privacy
One of the defining aspects of suburban living is the ample private outdoor and indoor space provided by single-family homes. Suburban lots typically range from 0.1 to 1 acre, allowing for sizeable lawns, yards, gardens, driveways and 2,000+ square foot homes. Multi-family high-rise or row house configurations common in dense city neighborhoods provide less privacy and fewer amenities per unit. However, smaller urban living spaces are a trade-off that appeals to those who value walkability, transit access and proximity to city destinations over large private lots. micro-units and condominiums can still provide comfortable living at higher costs per square foot.
Community and Sense of Place
Cities are renowned for their vibrant, diverse and tight-knit communities. Downtown neighborhoods and historic streetcar suburbs cultivate a real sense of character, with neighbors who know each other and actively participate in local business districts and cultural events. However, newer ‘bedroom’ suburbs comprised entirely of single-family homes and residential tracts have less walkable public realms and fewer community focal points or third places to naturally encounter others and build social networks. Strong bonds take more effort to establish without shared public transit, schools or other infrastructure conducive to casual social interaction. Both cities and established older suburbs can foster a strong sense of place, while auto-oriented ‘burbs may leave residents socially isolated unless proactively engaging with community organizations.
Lifestyle and Demographic Preferences
Ultimately, whether city or suburban living is a better fit depends on lifestyle needs and values. Those seeking walkable urbanism and effortless access to jobs, cultural offerings and population diversity tend to prefer cities. Families with school-age children or Those prioritizin recreational space, security, public schools and homeowners usually gravitate toward suburbs. Young professionals and empty nesters are commonly attracted back into revitalized urban neighborhoods. Overall trends indicate growing demand for mixed-use, transit-oriented suburbs and lifestyle centers that provide some of the walkability and amenities of cities within a lower density format. With evolving work-life flexibility, individuals now have greater choice to seek the ideal balance of city and suburban qualities depending on life stage needs.
Conclusion
As seen through this analysis, both cities and suburbs present distinct advantages and disadvantages depending on personal and family priorities. No single environment will be optimal or preferable for all individuals and households. Those considering a location change would be wise to carefully weigh factors like cost of living, transportation access, amenities, privacy, safety, community engagement and lifestyle against their needs at different stages of life. While stereotypes persist, many suburbs now competitive with urban amenities and numerous cities contain a diverse mix of urban, suburban and exurban-like neighborhoods. An open mindset allows finding the best match between lifestyle requirements and the attributes of available city or suburban environments.