5 Benefits of Living in the Suburbs

More and more people are flocking to the suburbs, but the reasons why are still baffling others. What’s so attractive about moving farther from the hustle and bustle of city life? You might be surprised.

Safety

It’s at the forefront of everyone’s minds when it comes to searching for a location for your new home, and for good reason. According to the FBI, suburban areas experience significantly less known offenses of violent crime than cities. But why is that?

For one, the percentage of renters vs. buyers is significantly lower in a suburb, minimizing turnover rate when it comes to neighbors. Getting to know your neighbors, and learning their routines by extension, means you’ll be quicker to notice unfamiliar faces or changes in schedules. More importantly, the close-knit community that forms naturally in suburbs means neighbors are much more likely to check in on you and your family from time to time; this is especially important for those that spend lengths of time alone or have kids that enjoy socializing with others around the block.

Other safety features are in the inherent design of suburbs. Wide sidewalks that come with having more space means it’s significantly safer for those walking or biking in the area. With homes being on individual lots there’s more privacy as well, which plenty of homeowners enjoy.

Quality Education

Due to multiple reasons, schools in the suburbs tend to outrank their inner city counterparts. One aspect is the smaller class sizes. With more schools spread out around a given area, students are less likely to be grouped in classes of 50 or 60 students per instructor. This manageable workload means that teachers are also able to focus and dedicate themselves more, since they’re not being pulled in so many different directions.

Additionally, students in suburban areas tend to have more participation in extracurricular activities before and after school. These can result in better time management, interpersonal communications, and leadership skills that parents want students to develop well before going to college.

While the above is generally true for suburban areas, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to quality of schools in different parts of town. Wondering what schools are like in the area you’re looking to move? We’ve got you covered with a guide on school rankings across each state so you can easily discern which schools will serve your student best.

Healthier Homes

One of the challenges of living in a city is that land has already been allotted to preexisting houses. If you want to build new in urban areas, there’s limited options, and that means you’re cutoff from many of the benefits of living in a newly-built home.

One such advantage? New homes include several health-focused features, such as bacteria-resistant countertops and new air filtration systems. Construction trends have transformed over the years, and it’s much more common for new homes to be arranged around letting in more light. Pairing the plentiful sunshine with personal green space and local parks encourages healthy stress relief and a deep connection to nature.

Plenty of master planned communities are located in suburban areas, and they can come equipped with pools, workout facilities, and even exercise classes! Staying active and living healthy is easier than ever in suburban areas.

Distance from Neighbors

In the city, prime real estate often means condos and townhomes, and while that works for some, plenty want space to stretch out and spread their metaphorical wings.

Suburbs means freestanding homes (so no more listening to your neighbors throwing a rager until 4 a.m.) with yards and a private fence. Family barbecues, late night redecorating sessions, and early morning jam sessions with your dog are all an option when you’re out in the suburbs.

The neighborhood Home Owners Association, or HOA, helps enforce policies that ensure your area remains a pleasant place to live. Because everyone agrees to HOA guidelines before moving in to a new home, you don’t have to worry about berating your neighbors about property maintenance and the like.

Get a little space from your neighbors, even the ones you’re friends with; it’s good for any relationship.

Live that Pinterest Perfect Life

For the crafty – or those that just enjoy a well-designed space – the ability to completely make a home your own is second to none. Sure, living in older homes or apartments you can hang up pictures and put down rugs; but a newly-built home designed for you means that all your needs will be met, including the less expected.

Projects such as building a she shed, starting a home garden, and moving toward sustainable living are all options in the suburbs due to the expanded garden and yard space. Perhaps you want to add that tiny home guest house, or bring a granny pod into the backyard to keep grandma nearby. The amount of expansions and adjustments you can make to a new home are nearly endless in the suburbs.

Still trying to decide if a new home in the suburbs is right for you? Check out our piece on living in a master planned community, or take time to learn about suburban areas that feel like an urban paradise.