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Deciding where to live is just as important as choosing a home to live in. One of the most common dilemmas people face while buying a new house is choosing between living in the main city vs suburbs.
More often than not, the answer depends on your budget. However, money should never be the only deciding factor when it comes to making this choice. There are a lot of other factors one must take into account before buying a house, considering how it is the biggest investment most people make in their entire lifetime.
If you are stuck in the same boat and can’t decide if you should choose the main city vs suburbs, we’ve chalked out the major advantages and disadvantages of both of these options, which will help you move one step closer to purchasing your dream home.
For the sake of clarification, the main city refers to the densely-populated residential and commercial hubs within a metropolis. Meanwhile, the term suburbs is used for neighbourhoods located on the outskirts of the city.
Here are the major advantages and disadvantages of city life vs suburban life.
Pros and Cons of Living in a City
| Pros | Cons |
| Proximity to Amenities | Higher Cost of Living |
| Big Events and Activities | Can Be Noisy |
| Public Transportation | Densely Packed |
Let’s take a look at the highs and lows of living in a city.
Pro: Proximity to Amenities
One of the most important advantages of living in a city is your proximity to, well, everything. In other words, city life can be very convenient. Regardless of which area you dwell in, there must be grocery stores, supermarkets, restaurants and cafes located a short walk from your home. Not only do you live close to such facilities but also have a wide range of options to choose from.
Moreover, those living in cities enjoy quick access to top educational institutes, state-of-the-art medical facilities, theatres, shopping malls, amusement parks, museums, banks and much more. Companies also prefer setting up their offices in city centres, which is great for employees and job seekers who live nearby or at a short distance.
Con: Higher Cost of Living
Living in cities is generally more expensive than living in the suburbs. Owing to the increased demand and higher concentration of people, the rents in city centres can be exorbitant. The same goes for buying property. Cities such as Karachi and Lahore mostly house well-established neighbourhoods in their centre, with newer residential schemes developing in the suburbs. Buying an old, existing house in a densely populated area will probably cost you just as much as constructing your dream home in one of the developing housing societies.
You can learn more about the pros and cons of buying a newly constructed home here.
Furthermore, the overall cost of living in a city is higher than that of living in a suburb. Those living in the main city areas usually pay more for utilities and facilities. In fact, even some items of daily use can be a bit more expensive in the city compared to the suburban areas.
This is one of the major disadvantages of living in a city.
Pro: Public Transportation
Who doesn’t want to live closer to their workplace or educational institute?
An average person spends a significant amount of time, sometimes even hours, travelling to and from work every day. Therefore, reducing the commute time is usually high on the list of priorities for many. In this regard, access to public transportation is one of the biggest pros of living in a city.
Most jobs are located in the city, which is why most people prefer living there. If you drive your own car to work, you’ll be able to save money on fuel while living in the city. Similarly, if you use public transportation or private ride-hailing services, a faster commute will still be beneficial for your pocket while working in a city vs a suburb.
Con: Can be Noisy
While the excitement of fast-paced city life can be a plus point for many, others might consider it one of the main disadvantages of living in a city.
Almost all big cities share one common trait: they are noisy. It’s next to impossible to find a place to live in the heart of a major city without suffering through traffic jams, loud horns and blaring sirens. Of course, there are residential societies in every major city that boast a peaceful and safe environment. However, you are bound to experience traffic jams during your daily commute.
If you enjoy quiet time, then city life might not be suitable for you. It is also a major difference between living in a city and the suburbs.
Pro: Big Events and Activities
Another top benefit of living in a city is that you will never be bored.
Whether you are into exhibitions, music festivals, trying new types of food, theatre, or book readings, you are bound to find something of your interest that is going on in some corner of the city.
Needless to say, if you live in the heart of a major city, you will never run out of things to do. Most metropolises, such as Lahore and Karachi, also boast vibrant nightlife. Those who consider themselves adventures are generally more suited to living in a city vs suburbs.
Con: Densely Packed
Most cities are not only densely packed. Therefore, one drawback most city dwellers face is the lack of space. Apartments and houses are usually smaller and you have to pay a premium price for features such as a patio, lawn or yard.
If you are looking to buy a home with a garden or a yard within a limited budget, you’d probably be able to get a much better deal in the suburbs vs the main city. Also, if you have just moved to a big city, be prepared to share a few walls with your neighbours because the separate independent houses are quickly being replaced with apartment buildings and residential complexes to accommodate the growing population.
Restaurants, hospitals and recreational facilities in city areas are also much more crowded than those in the suburbs.
Pros and Cons of Living in the Suburbs
| Pros | Cons |
| Bigger Houses | Longer Commute |
| Peaceful Environment | Competitive Job Market |
| No Crowds | Can Feel a Little Boring |
Now that we’ve discussed the benefits and downsides of city living, let’s check some pros and cons of living in a suburb as well.
Pro: Bigger Houses
If you have a big family you are probably looking for a bigger house to move into. For many families with young children or pets, having a garden or a backyard is also somewhat of a priority. While you can find these features in any of the major residential areas in the middle of the city, it is certainly going to cost you a fortune. If you are looking for more space on a budget, living in a suburb might be your best option.
This is one of the biggest pros of suburban living when it comes down to the main city vs suburbs comparison.
Of course, some housing societies located in the suburbs are more expensive than others owing to their infrastructure and facilities. However, if you do a little research, you will be able to find a place that fits both your budget and standards.
Houses in the suburban areas usually have extra space for lawns and front yards, which is not very common in the city centres.
Con: Longer Commute
Among the main disadvantages of living in a suburb, longer commute time stands out as the top contender.
Since most offices, schools and universities are located in city areas, you will have to drive a greater distance to access any of these facilities than those living in the city. Also, you must have your own car if you are relocating to the suburbs because public transportation available in these areas is below subpar. The farther away you live from the city, the more difficult it will be for you to access public transit.
Longer commute time also means you will end up spending more money on fuel and fares than those who dwell in the city.
Pro: Peaceful Environment
While cities can be loud and noisy, the suburbs are usually quieter and more peaceful.
Residential neighbourhoods in the suburban areas are usually located away from the commercial areas, which is something you don’t see in the cities. With apartment spaces and commercial outlets all combined into one building, your kids may not have enough space to play outdoors.
Meanwhile, suburban housing communities have more space. Moreover, they usually feature more green spaces, community parks and playgrounds. This is beneficial for both your physical and mental health.
Top suburban housing societies such as Bahria Town Lahore and DHA Rahbar pride themselves on providing open green spaces to their residents.
Similarly, compared to living in a city, there aren’t as many vehicles driving by the suburban neighbourhoods. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about traffic jams and loud horns disturbing your peace.
Con: Competitive Job Market
A competitive job market is also one of the main cons of living in a suburb.
Owing to a small percentage of commercial buildings in suburban areas and a high number of applicants willing to work close to home, the demand and supply gap in this area is usually big. If you don’t want to commute to the city on a daily basis, then you’d have to work a little harder to find a suitable job.
Here are a few things you must research before job interviews.
Pro: No Crowds
One of the biggest advantages of living in a suburb is its slow-paced lifestyle and a lower concentration of residents.
Compared to the cities, the suburbs are much less crowded. Since almost all big events and sports tournaments take place in the heart of the city, you won’t spend your time stuck in traffic jams waiting to go home. Restaurants, parks, shopping malls and recreational spots in suburban areas are also not very crowded. In fact, you are most likely to come across people from your own neighbourhood while shopping at the supermarket or taking a walk in the park instead of a stranger from a different part of town.
Fewer people to deal with is one of the main pros of living in a suburb.
Con: Can Feel a Little Boring
Lastly, the slow-paced lifestyle of the suburbs might feel a little boring to some from time to time.
The number of cafes and restaurants in suburban neighbourhoods is usually limited. The same goes for retail outlets, cinemas and other recreational spots. If you are someone who loves attending sports games, going to exhibitions, visiting amusement parks and trying out new eateries, living in a suburb might not fit your lifestyle.
This is one of the top disadvantages of living outside a city.
Living in Main City vs Suburbs: Which One is better for you?
Are you still wondering if is it better to live in the city or the suburbs? Well, the best way to evaluate whether you should settle in the main city vs the suburbs is to weigh the pros and cons of each option. In addition to that, you will need to do your own research, and take time to factor in which of these lifestyles would be more suitable for you and your family.
So, would you rather live in the city or the suburbs?
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If you are new to the world of real estate, our guides on different types of properties in Pakistan and the basics of real estate investment will definitely help you out. First-time homebuyers must also avoid making these mistakes while buying a house.
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