Ever since the rise of the suburbs in the mid 20th century, families have flocked to the security and serenity that suburban life offers. But in recent years, the rate of growth in all major U.S. cities has increased dramatically. Families, for the first time in nearly 50 years, are opting for city life. So why are people starting to gravitate toward living in the city versus the suburbs? Here we’ll help you decide if living in the city or the suburbs is better for you.
Homes appreciate faster in cities. As we all know, city home prices can be a bit more than homes in the suburbs. It was found that city homes increased in value by an average of 11.3 percent while suburban homes’ value grew by 6.7 percent. These appreciation spikes are due to new development and refinement of major cities’ downtown and historic districts. For example, here in Long Beach, the downtown area has gone through some major reconditioning within the last couple of years.
Your dog will be happier in the suburb. As we all know, apartments, condos, or townhomes are usually smaller than a single-family suburban home. Every room, from bedrooms, kitchens, and living rooms, are more spacious in the suburbs. On average, suburban homes are 300 square feet bigger than homes found in the city, making them a great option when raising kids and dogs.
Museums and mojitos vs. trails and teachers. For city dwellers, there’s nothing better than being able to fill a craving for Indian food at 11 pm on a Wednesday. In the city, you can find an array of ethnic cuisines, museums, and shopping, all within walking distance of your front door. On the other hand, suburban residents skip out on the fumes of city buses and garbage trucks. While city home listings may boast of the fun going on in the neighborhood, suburban homes boast of nearby trails and parks. Suburban homes also tend to be located to better public schools.
Cities are not as dangerous as one might think. We all know that cities usually have higher crime rates than suburban towns. This may be true, but the United States as a whole has seen crime drop significantly in all major cities. While crime may be a real concern for some people, a study by the University of Pennsylvania found that unintentional injuries, like car accidents, firearms, or poisoning, are 15 times more likely to happen to someone than a homicide.
The route to a healthier lifestyle differs. While there is no research showing disparities in terms of access to health services, city dwellers are exposed to other health concerns. Exposure to dirty air leads to respiratory problems, a dense population can lead to the spread of viruses, and fast-paced life can lead to higher levels of stress. That’s not saying suburbia is not without health concerns. Suburban residents tend to drive more while city residents walk or bike more often, decreasing their levels of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Whether you decide to live in the suburb or the city, Long Beach has it all. This city has all the fun and diversity of an urban setting while still having the security and space of the suburbs.
