Last Updated on April 16, 2024 by Kari-Ann Ryan
When it comes to choosing a place to live, the suburbs often come up as a popular option. But is it really the right choice for everyone? There are definitely pros and cons to consider before making the decision to move to the suburbs.
Living in the suburbs has long been seen as the ideal lifestyle for many families. It offers a quieter, more spacious environment compared to the hustle and bustle of the city. However, there are also drawbacks to suburban living that may not be immediately apparent.
If you are considering a move to the suburbs, it is important to weigh the pros and cons to determine if it is the right fit for you. Especially if you’re thinking about moving to the suburbs from a big city or a rural area, there are drastic changes that will affect your lifestyle. While the suburbs may offer some advantages, such as a sense of community and more affordable housing options, there are also drawbacks to consider, such as longer commute times and limited access to amenities. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of living in the suburbs to help you make an informed decision.
Definition of Suburban Living
Suburban living refers to a residential lifestyle that is situated on the outskirts of a city. Suburban residential areas typically consist of single-family homes, with larger yards and more space between neighboring houses. Residents of suburban areas often have access to local amenities such as parks, schools, and shopping centers, while still being within a reasonable distance to the city center, either by car or public transportation.
Living in the suburbs offers many advantages, including affordability compared to city living, more space for families, and a generally quieter and safer environment. Suburban living also tends to promote a healthier lifestyle, with opportunities for outdoor activities and access to more green spaces.
Despite these advantages, suburban living does come with its own set of challenges, such as longer commute times and dependence on cars, and a lack of diversity in some neighborhoods.
Generally, many people will move to the suburbs if they are in any of the following situations:
- Want a bigger home for less money
- Want a cleaner, more peaceful environment
- Want a bigger yard
- Want a slower pace of life
- Don’t want to deal with large crowds
If one or more of these qualities sounds like something you want to have, the suburban lifestyle is probably the best option for you. But to help you make the best decision, here are the pros and cons of living in the suburbs:
Pros of Living in the Suburbs
1. Want a Bigger Home for Less Money
If your objective is more space but you’re still on a budget, you’ll find plenty of living options in the suburbs. In fact, sometimes a mortgage payment of a house in suburbia can even be less than the apartment rent in the city.
Some suburbs will still be more expensive than others, but if you do your homework, you should be able to find a location that meets both your standards and budget.
2. Want a Cleaner, More Peaceful Environment
Unlike the crowded feel of the city where commercial and apartment spaces are combined into one building, suburbs will have neighborhoods with homes grouped together. Here your kids can play in your front, side, or backyard instead of on the sidewalk or having to walk to a local park in the city. There also won’t be nearly as many cars driving by compared to living in the city. But houses will still be spaced just enough apart to allow you to meet and make friends with your neighbors.
You may also notice that there actually are stars at night due to less pollution. So if you like to stargaze with that special someone, this is the place to be. In addition, it is less likely that you will find garbage on the streets as people are not in any rush to throw things away.
3. Want a Bigger Yard
If you have a hectic household, such as 3 kids and 2 large dogs, you definitely won’t want to skip out on a big backyard. Generally, larger houses with backyards set in a remote location will compare to smaller homes close to the city. This is definitely something to consider if you are in the market for relocating.
If you are still looking for the big backyard, you may also want to look for some outdoor toys, like a trampoline, swingset, or if you want to go the extra mile, a new pool. Why not? It’s your property to do what you want with it.
4. Slower Pace of Life
If you’re tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, the suburbs would definitely be the place to catch a break. While there won’t be as much public transportation, you won’t have to worry about dashing to your stop to make the 7:45 AM train to work every morning. You also won’t have to face the nightmare of finding a parking spot, let alone pay for it everywhere you go.
In the suburbs, you get to do everything at your own pace without as much stress of things getting in the way. Rush hour does still exist – some areas worse than others – but you will definitely notice the difference if you’re coming from the big city.
5. Don’t Want to Deal with Large Crowds
Sure you won’t be living next to any big stadiums or fields, but that’s exactly what keeps the crowds away. If you’re one who doesn’t mind turning it on at home instead of dealing with the mass of people at the big game, you will definitely enjoy the suburban life more.
Disadvantages of the Suburban Lifestyle
As awesome as the suburban lifestyle sounds, nothing is perfect and there’s a catch to everything. So here are the disadvantages of the suburban lifestyle:
- You need a car to get everywhere
- Job market is more competitive
- It can feel boring
- More space to fill
1. You Need a Car to Get Everywhere
Unfortunately for most, many suburbs do not have public transportation; it is an expectation to have a car to be able to get around. If you wanted the space, then having everything within walking distance must be sacrificed.
Owning a car can also be quite expensive as it comes with having to pay for gas, maintenance, insurance, and of course, the car itself. Also don’t forget that your commute will most likely be longer so you will have to get up earlier to get to work on time. So if you don’t want to deal with this headache, maybe paying a few dollars to get to your destination in the city is the way to go.
2. Job Market is More Competitive
While some suburbs will have a higher commercial percentage than others, the job market is generally more competitive in the suburbs. You may have to post your resumé on multiple career sites, work with recruiters, attend a few job fairs, and have patience in order to land your first position. Although if you know somebody, your chances of getting hired are multiplied and the hiring process shouldn’t take nearly as long.
3. It May Feel Boring
If you are the efficient, energetic type with the need for constant adventure, suburbia is probably not the place for you. The less-frequent outings and slower pace of life can be frustrating for those who want to get up and explore.
There will also be less restaurants and nightlife, a commute for which you will have to make extra time before sitting in traffic to get there. So large concerts, sporting events, and festivals will either have to be sacrificed, attended less frequently, or worth it to sit in traffic every weekend.
4. More Space to Fill
Having more space sounds neat until you realize how empty it looks after moving from a small apartment. Having to fill up the massive space with more furniture and stuff can be costly, especially if you’re purchasing everything new.
Although if you’re looking to cut corners, the suburbs are loaded with resale stores, Facebook Market, flea markets, and other discount stores where you can get exactly what you want at a fraction of the price.
5. Less Amenities
While there is more space for everything in the suburbs, there are still less amenities since everyone is spread out. So less public transportation, fewer colleges and universities, hospitals can make things a bit more difficult. Nevertheless, the quality is still in the suburbs, but they simply won’t be the best of the best.
Making the Right Decision
Whether you choose to live in the city, suburbs, or middle of nowhere, this decision will have a significant impact on your lifestyle. So it’s extremely important to do your homework and research well which environment would best accommodate your living situation. What works for you may not work for your friends or parents.
Choosing a Moving Company that Will Get You There
Finding a moving company is just as important as choosing your next home. Moving to a new environment is already stressful enough, so the last thing you need is your precious belongings or even new home to be damaged in the process. You might also want to check out these signs of a rogue moving company to stay on the look-out for scams.
If you are moving to or from the Chicagoland area, check out our professionals at Mid-West Moving & Storage. Each of our movers have passed a detailed background check and training course in order to provide you with qualified moving services. Whether you are moving your home or business to or from the city, you can count on us to not only transport your belongings safely, but store and pack them, if needed.
Give us call at 847.593.7201 for more information about our moving services or a free estimate! We look forward to serving you soon!
