Living in a City Versus Living in the Suburbs, Which One is Best?

Listen, we all have our opinions on the topic, or maybe we just accept some arbitrary and outdated standards. If you're here, you're probably trying to figure out if moving to either the suburbs or the city is the right move (or you're trying to see if staying where you are is actually better than an expensive and stressful move). So let's find out what the right decision is for you.

The pros of living in a city

There's always something to do.

If you're the kind of person who gets bored easily, city living is probably the better choice. From amazing restaurants to interesting museums to rooftop bars, there's always something new and exciting to check out.

Events like concerts, museum exhibits, parades, and more tend to take place in cities. The white picket fence of the suburbs might have more space but a large yard is what you trade for a chance to feel the pulse of a city's culture. Though a big city might be the first thing you think about, even smaller cities have the benefit of access to a variety of different activities. The suburbs may have more square footage in each house, city dwellers get to explore the densely packed and stimulating environment of cities whenever they want.

Not to mention that amenities like nice restaurants and great bars are always nearby.

You can get anything (and everything) you want at your fingertips.

Public transportation availability.

Not everyone loves driving, though it may sound strange it's true. Most cities plan around making it easy for people to get around. This means walking, biking, and using public transportation are all popular options. If you don't want to use any of these modes of travel, the suburbs may be more your speed.

Most city dwellers don't have access to a car (or choose not to own one). This saves them money without having to sacrifice their ability to get around. Traffic in cities can be a nightmare, but if you're willing to put up with it there are always options to get where you need to go.

The convenience of being able to take public transport easily whether it's for a commute or a late night out is unbeatable for some people.

A more diverse choice of housing options.

City life isn't for everyone, but there are always options available when it comes to choosing an apartment or house in a city. From towering skyscrapers to brownstones, rowhouses, and everything in between.

Never truly far from anything.

A coffee shop around every corner, a specific store in every neighbourhood that's only a few minutes away by public transport or just walking, a choice of supermarkets, a slew of entertainment options. Most cities are rife with a variety of shops and amenities that make the living costs worth it.

More opportunities.

If you're looking for job opportunities, it's often easier to find them in cities. This is especially true in emerging fields. Cities are constantly growing and changing, so it's a great place to be if you want to be involved in all of it. You can go out on a limb, find an opportunity you want and work hard for it. If you have your entire life planned out already, the suburbs are probably better but if you prefer being spontaneous, cities are where you should live.

The cons of living in a city

Higher cost of living.

Cities are expensive. Especially if you want to live in a central neighbourhood. You're paying for the convenience of being close to everything. The variety in the types of housing alleviate the issue but rent in major cities can put off many people when the closest grocery store also needs to charge more to compensate for additional costs.

You may even end up in a small apartment that costs so much that it robs you of the experience of living in the city.

Less space.

Following up on the previous point, the city might feel like your own sprawling yard but you might still not have any private outdoor space. In other words, it's hard to enjoy live music when what you really need is more space in your kitchen to cook comfortably.

More noise.

Though it's possible to find a quiet neighbourhood in the city, it's not always easy. And if you're looking for peace and quiet, you'll end up paying a premium for it. More privacy in a city means a significant bump in what you pay for your monthly rent.

Higher crime rates.

With more people living in smaller spaces, it makes it more likely to be near some sort of criminal activity. It all depends on the neighbourhoods of the specific cities but it's worth keeping in mind that with the increased density, you'll have more people coming and going, increasing the chances of dealing with some form of crime or another.

What kind of lifestyle fits well in a city?

That’s a difficult question to answer, as what may be perfect for one person might be terrible for another. However, there are some things that all city-dwellers can agree on.

For starters, living in a city requires a lot of flexibility. You need to be able to go with the flow and adapt to changing circumstances. Whether it’s a last-minute dinner invitation or an unexpected work meeting, you can’t let yourself get bogged down by plans.

In addition, city living necessitates a high level of self-sufficiency. Unless you have a live-in chef and personal assistant, you need to be able to take care of yourself. That means being able to cook, do laundry, and take care of basic hygiene tasks. It can also mean being comfortable with a high level of noise and activity.

Finally, city living requires a strong sense of community. Whether you’re meeting friends for drinks or attending a neighbourhood event, it’s important to feel connected to the people around you. This can be a challenge in a city of millions, but it’s worth the effort.

So, what kind of person is suited for city living? The answer is: anyone who is willing to make some adjustments. If you’re able to be flexible, self-sufficient, and open to new people, then a city lifestyle is right for you.

The pros of living in the suburbs

More space

As mentioned earlier, this is one of the biggest draws for people who live in the suburbs. Whether you have a large family or like to entertain often, having more space is essential. And, unlike in the city, you can actually find suburban neighbourhoods that are quiet and peaceful. Suburban life, even in apartments, means more space for the same amount of money. Maybe the city offers a lot of interesting spaces outside your apartment but if you want to relax in your own home, nothing beats the suburbs.

Moreover, if you have a large family with many kids, you may want them to have a lot of space to run around in your own home rather than out in the city. It's a matter of preference in the end but it's worth mentioning. Living in the city can be great but kids but many families tend to settle in the suburbs to give their children more space.

Quiet neighbourhoods.

This one is a biggie for people who want to be able to relax after a long day or get a good night's sleep. The suburbs offer the peace and quiet that many city-dwellers crave. Both the city and the suburbs have their quiet moments but its rarer for sirens to go off or cars to honk in the middle of the night in suburban areas compared to urban areas.

Lower crime rates.

As mentioned earlier, when there are more people living in a concentrated area, the chances of crime go up. This isn't always the case, but it's worth noting that suburbs usually have lower crime rates than cities.

Lower cost of living.

Since you're further from things that a lot of city residents value like concert venues and a bustling lifestyle, your cost of living goes down. Nearby shops don't need to pay as much of a premium for their location, and your access to a car makes getting to shopping centres easy - all of that adding up to better living costs.

More privacy

That depends on the kind of residence you find yourself in but it's easy to not have windows peering straight into other apartments or other situations like that. If you like spending time with your curtains open, suburban living works out better in the end. A better sense of community also means that the people living around you feel less like strangers in their own bubble and more like people you get to know. As long as it doesn't turn in an episode of Desperate Housewives, they can even feel like family!

Better schools and public parks

Another bonus of many suburban areas is the fact that they often have great parks and schools. You can still find those in the city but it's easier to do so in suburbia. Suburban neighbourhoods tend to be within range of great schools because of how people settled in different areas in the past. Suburbia became synonymous with family life and schools and parks were built to reflect that, creating a feedback loop.

The cons of living in the suburbs

Less access to entertainment venues, such as clubs and concerts.

This is one of the biggest drawbacks to suburban living. While the city offers easy access to public transportation, concerts, and nightlife, the suburbs usually don't. You're also more likely to need a car in the suburbs than you are in the city which can add an extra expense to your monthly budget.

Fewer places to eat and convenience stores.

Suburban life is great for people who like convenience but it's lacking in some of the options that city-dwellers enjoy. For example, you may need to drive a car or walk a long distance away from your home before reaching a restaurant. If you love eating out, the suburbs might not be for you.

Can be repetitive and mundane.

Living in the suburbs can be repetitive because there's not as much to do as there is in the city. You may find yourself driving to the same places or hanging out with the same people all the time. This isn't always the case, but it can happen.

You'll end up mostly going to a nearby city if you want to see something new and interesting.

Socializing may be more difficult because of the lack of density in people.

While it's easy to make friends in the suburbs, the lack of density in people can make it difficult for you to find your social group. This isn't always the case, but it's worth considering if this is important to you. While you may love your neighbours, there's also a chance that you don't get along either and that can feel more isolating than anything in suburban neighbourhoods. You'll bump into the same people in the grocery store or when taking advantage of your yard or other outdoor space and meeting new people is reliant on more people moving in and out of the area.

Dependent on a car to get around

You may need a car to get around your suburban neighbourhood. That's not always the case, but it can be more difficult to walk or bike when you live in the suburbs compared with life in the city where public transportation becomes fairly ubiquitous. Not to mention things like the cost of car maintenance, car insurance, and fuel.

The suburban lifestyle almost requires a car, and you have to be ready for these costs and inconveniences.

What kind of lifestyle fits well in the suburbs?

If you're someone who likes larger houses, like the idea of suburban schools and other families living nearby, then you'll probably fit in the suburb of your choice. If you're the kind of person that couldn't care less about new restaurants, concerts, or nightlife then suburban living could be just the right thing for you - the extra space is a nice bonus too.

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