Living in the City Vs. the Suburbs: Pros and Cons

Depending on your individual situation, living in the city may benefit you more than living in the suburbs, or the other way round. If you are a young professional seeking to get into the action, it is highly likely that you may prefer to live in the center of the city. On the other hand, if you are a young professional thinking of starting a family, buying or renting a home in the suburbs may be more preferable.

With that said, in this article we study the pros and cons of living in the city versus the pros and cons of living in the suburbs. Picking the perfect place to live will always come down to your individual wants and needs; therefore be sure bear that in mind.

In general, there are more job opportunities in a big city than in a suburb. With more companies set up in the city and added room for advancement in a career, this is a huge pro for city living. Furthermore, the city has a more superior transportation system which makes it easier for you to quickly catch a train, an Uber or a bus to wherever you want to go.

Living in the city also means there might be more opportunity for you to extend your cultural horizons. You will be within easy reach of art, theaters, music groups and many other entertainment forms regularly, whereas a suburb area might present lesser opportunities.

The cost of living in a city is normally higher compared to the suburbs. Most of the things in the city cost much more. Also, competition for good jobs may be very intense in the city. If you want to get a high-paying job while living in the city, expect the competition to be very fierce.

Another disadvantage of city living is the extra stress dwellers feel. The fast-paced life may make it hard for some to keep up and that’s why depression is more prevalent among city dwellers than in suburban residents.

Living in suburbia is ideal if you want to raise children as the school systems are in most cases better there. Since you will most likely pay more property taxes in a suburb, there is more money for funding education. Schools in the suburbs usually benefit from a larger budget in comparison with schools in the city.

Additionally, life in the suburbs is normally calm and quiet. Noise levels are lower than those in a busy city. You will hear fewer sirens, honking car horns, and less bustle in general when you live in a suburban area.

Living in the suburbs may also mean a cheaper cost of living than staying in the city. However, there might not be as many employment opportunities available in a suburb area, so you might need to commute to work. But in the end, your overall household expenses might be cheaper, which is definitely a plus.

Commutes can be a challenge in the suburbs. Some people might have to drive for one, two or more hours to and from work every day. This can be a big pain and may even make it more difficult for someone to advance their career.

Moreover, many people who relocate from the city to a suburb move into a bigger home. This requires getting additional furniture and other costly items that may cost a pretty penny.

Another drawback is the fact that public transportation might be scarcer in a suburb area. This can make it harder to catch a train or bus to the heart of the city and back based on where you live.

Keep in mind that whether you are better suited for city living or living in a suburb area comes down to your personal needs and preferences. Living in either environment comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, so weigh your options first before making a decision.