Moving From the City to the Suburbs

While you are likely aware of the current real estate surge in the US, did you know that many of the moves are happening out of cities and into the suburbs? This trend started to pick up speed in 2020 and has been further empowered by the boom in remote work and school. 

If you’ve been considering a move from the busyness and bustle of the city to a quieter, calmer suburban lifestyle, here are a few pros and cons to consider.

Suburban conveniences vs. a Longer commute

Most cities present a wide variety of activities and amenities, but these are often spread out across many miles, requiring some forethought and planning to take advantage of them.

The suburbs are known for shopping centers that give you the convenience of many retailers, shops, and restaurants in one location. And unlike in the city, suburban parking is usually widely available and almost always free.

Conversely, if you live in the suburbs, a location that may not be close to you is your place of work. While commute times can be long in the city, public transportation is often available which allows you to take advantage of that commute time. However, moving away from the city and into the suburbs can mean long waits in rush hour traffic.

Take a test drive of the route and times you expect to travel to assess if you can deal with it daily.

Better school districts vs. Zoning challenges

It’s a fairly common idea that urban schools are sub-par compared to suburban schools. Yet studies have historically shown that suburban schools typically receive more funding resulting from higher property taxes. This can result in comparatively smaller class sizes, a higher level of facility maintenance, and a more desirable workplace for teachers who are often already in high demand.

On the other hand, keep in mind that, depending on where you might live in the suburbs, you may not realize these tax-related benefits. Zoning in suburban school districts can be notoriously strict and not always make sense. Your home can be in one zone while your across-the-street neighbors are in another. 

If one of your top drivers for moving to the suburbs is a better educational experience for your kids, do your homework on the zoning situation in the area you plan to live.

Peace & quiet vs Hustle & bustle

You’ll often hear people remark that they moved from the city to leave the busyness, noise, and distractions behind. While there are certainly locations in every city where traffic is heavy at seemingly all hours and late-night partiers can keep you awake, this isn’t true of every part of the city.

Yet for some people, this is enough for them to consider a move to the suburbs. They may have visions of only hearing the serene sounds of nature, with only birds and crickets as their background noise. Conversely, the idea of silence may make others wish they’d stayed in the urban scene. 

Take this into consideration when visiting suburban neighborhoods where you may picture yourself living. Even spending a night or two in or near prospective areas where you might buy a home can help give you insights into what your suburban environment might be like.

Bigger homes (and yards) vs. More maintenance

One of the biggest draws of suburban life is more space—in both the home and the overall property. Consider that a 2-bedroom downtown Memphis apartment is about 1,000 square feet, while the average square footage of a home in the Germantown or Collierviille suburbs jumps to almost 3,000 square feet.

That difference in space can be significant, especially for homeowners who want to expand their families. And these larger homes often sit in the middle of larger slices of property, providing large yards and outdoor spaces that just aren’t possible in the city.

However, there is a cost in both dollars and time. To maintain the larger home and property, you’ll need more and larger tools and appliances. You’ll need a lawn mower (and maybe a snowblower!), tools for indoor and outdoor repairs and upkeep, budgeting for periodic re-roofing, painting, and other maintenance. 

In addition, suburban homeowners often pay those higher property taxes mentioned above, as well as homeowner’s association (HOA) fees which are required to live in most suburban neighborhoods. 

Sitting down to consider your monthly costs in both dollars and time to maintain your suburban home is a good exercise before making a move.