Suburbs vs city? Why do people want to live in the suburbs?

Question

I'm in a medium sized city and people seem shocked that I choose to live in the city.

It's safe, rents are cheap, great old houses, diverse neighbors.....can't imagine fleeing this for some prefab ranch in a lilly white suburb at twice the price. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

Around some cities it is cheaper to live in the suburbs. Especially bigger ones. If I wanted to get another apartment where I live, I'd be paying $700 utlilities not included for a 2 bedroom, no backyard, no basement, etc,.... In the suburbs of this city, I could get a house for that price with everything included with all the perks. But I don't have a car, plus I live in low-income housing.

Answer 2

I like the city, as long as it's a good city. I'm from Canada, and I've lived downtown in Victoria and Toronto, and I've lived in the suburbs of Victoria, Vancouver, and Kingston. I much prefer living downtown. It's true that there's less traffic in the suburbs, but I still drove way more in the suburbs; things are further away and almost nothing is within walking distance. In the city, I hardly have to drive anywhere. It's true that it's harder to park in the city, but this is more a problem with living in the suburbs, since if you already live in the city, it's not usually necessary to drive to other places in the city. Some people believe that the city has more crime. Luckily, I've never been a victim of a crime, but I did do a bit of research on crime rates in some of the cities I've lived in. It turns out that crime rates are not lower in the suburbs; there are plenty of suburban areas with higher crime rates than urban areas. Crime rates tend to be higher where average income is lower. Poorer suburbs tend to have higher crime rates than wealthier urban neighborhoods. As for the noise, it's true that it's noisier in the city. But I find that the suburbs are almost too quiet for me; I like a bit of background noise. I also feel there's more privacy in the city. In the suburbs, the neighbours are always putting their noses into other people's business (especially my business). In the city, the neighbours mind their own business. Someone mentioned that cities have poorer schools. This seems to be an American phenomenon, since the US has the dumbest way of funding schools in the Western world. When I was in school, I attended city schools and suburban schools, and I never noticed much of a difference. One other thing I like about the city is its diversity. There tends to be much more of a mix of income levels, ethnicities, family types, etc, but everyone seems to get along. In the suburbs, (almost) everyone is the same, and if you're not the same, people look at you funny. An acquaintance who was visiting a friend in the suburbs of an American city was pulled over and questioned by the police (e.g. "What business do you have here?"). He suspects the fact that he is African Canadian had something to do with this. Then again, everything I've said applies only to the cities I've lived in. There are lots of cities I don't think I would want to live in. In some cities, for instance, the urban areas are much poorer and more rundown than the suburban areas. But in the cities I've lived in, there are some very nice places to live in the city.

Answer 3

I live deep in the country and cant see what you do about the 'burbs. Out here there isn't even lines on the roads and we like it like that. The sounds I hear at night come from the crickets and the bull frogs in the summer and the wind in the trees in the fall and winter... Gods country for sure!

Answer 4

Cities and suburbs are both horrible, full of polution and cars, and no wild animals, besides birds and squirrels and stuff. Give me a small town and mountains any day.

Answer 5

well i don't live in either and don't understand why anyone would want to live where there is traffic noise pollutions and where you have to park your car in the street and no privacy... why would you pay so much for a home when you can look out your window and see your neighbors and only own less then a lot off land... that to me is STUPID.. I paid for my home and 5 acres of land and have no one looking at me or watching me and i can park my car where ever i wish...

Answer 6

I am looking to relocate, I am retired, I like quiet places, trees, hills, mountains and trails, like to walk at any hours sit and enjoy my coffee and a bagel on a park bench. Would appreciate suggestions. Please post.

Answer 7

Are you kidding me, i live in New York City,,the rents cheap? where the hell are you talking about ,,Detroit? i love manhattan BTW

Answer 8

big cities r the hood thats y. ppl prefer a quiter place w/o the violence, crime, pollution, etc.