Living in at the center of a big city can be marvelous. You’re in the middle of everything, something new happens each day, you’re minutes away from many of the best urban amenities, and you get to rub shoulders with many other lives.
But there’s plenty to be said about the suburbs as well. They often get a bad rap, at least in some circles, but these neighborhoods on the outer edges of major cities can be a haven for people like you and your family. If you’re thinking about a move, here are some facts that might sway your opinion even further.
1. Better Home Prices
One of the biggest pulls to suburbia is the real estate. Home prices drop considerably once you get beyond the main inner neighborhoods of most cities. Quite often, you can exchange a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment without having to pay any more.
If you’re ready to move from an apartment to a home, the suburbs offer many houses in a better price range. If you’re struggling to keep up with your living expenses, a shift to the suburbs can reduce your costs and raise the quality of your living space.
2. Increased Safety
The suburbs are well known as being typically safer than cities. Crime rates are nearly always lower in strictly residential areas. There are far fewer violent crimes, especially, which should help you sleep better at night.
Roads are also usually safer than those in the inner city, so when your kids walk to school or learn to drive, they’re less likely to be in an accident. Research from an Indiana law firm shows that 69 percent of collisions happen in urban areas, and only 16 percent occur on suburban streets.
3. Better Schools
Schools are a huge draw for parents who love city life but want what’s best for their kids. Suburban school districts tend to beat both city and fully rural education programs. They also offer more opportunities and extracurricular activities to help your kids obtain the experience that will make them better prepared for college.
Better schools come at the price of higher property taxes, but most people find that an acceptable trade-off for the value they receive. Even if you don’t have kids right now, it’s smart to think ahead on behalf of your (potentially) growing family.
4. More Space
Compared to urban living, you’ll have substantially more square footage and acreage in the suburbs. Since most people out there buy instead of rent, you also enjoy a lot more flexibility with whatever space you get.
You can plant trees and flowers and give your pets more space to run. If you’re tired of cramped living conditions, and the idea of doing a little landscaping sounds exciting, suburbia could be your utopia.
5. Less Stress
When you work and live in the city, it’s often hard to avoid coming home with work on your shoulders. There’s also congestion and crowding in the cities, which can feel claustrophobic and frustrating when you’re heading home after a challenging day.
Americans who live in suburban areas often report a higher quality of life, even if they have to commute farther to work. The drive is sometimes less stressful and lets people wind down en route. Then the quieter streets and larger areas of private and public land are perfect for more relaxation.
6. Greater Socialization for Kids
Some parents worry about the impact on their kids when they live “so far out from the city.” This doesn’t usually encourage walking to get around, which can make kids more dependent on their parents and less self-reliant. But suburban life typically has the opposite effect.
Parents are more likely to allow their children to ride their bikes down the street or walk to a neighbor’s house unaccompanied because it’s safer there. Kids also enjoy dozens of opportunities for kids to socialize with others their age: through school activities, community get-togethers, sports leagues, and neighborhood barbecues.
This is all great for helping kids understand boundaries and learn to take care of themselves.
7. Cleaner Environment
Although the cleanest air is in rural areas, the suburbs are famously less polluted than the central city. They’re safer from city fumes, and additional plants and trees help to filter carbon dioxide and create a cleaner environment.
Streets, sidewalks, and parks tend to be cleaner in these outskirt areas as well. You can worry less about trash, gum wads, drug needles, and other common city flotsam that can place your kids’ health at risk.
Suburban life can be a highly attractive lifestyle for anyone who seeks more space and a quality family environment. You’re close enough to the city that you don’t have to miss out on some of the fun, but you’re far enough away to stretch your wings and build a comfortable home.
