City vs. Suburbs

[Anonymous]

If your budget allows you to rent a nice house in the suburbs or nice apartment in the city, what would you choose and why?

We have 2 kids, 5yo and 1yo, I'm SAHM. Both places have good public schools.

We lived in the city and moved to the suburbs because everyone says it's better for the kids but we kind of hate it. But maybe we're wrong.

(Unfortunately, we can't buy right now because of reasons that are work related and not money related and have to rent for now)

[Anonymous]

City. Because I've always preferred the city. I like to be able to walk to things. And I think it's a richer environment for the children.

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on which city and which suburb.

Really, it depends on your personal preference. Personally, things like walking to places (parks, gym, community events, grocery store) is priceless.

Though, I think I might also be happy somewhere out in the country or mountains. Surburbia is dead last to me. It is my personal hell. But what's hell for one person is heaven to another, so it depends entirely on what kinds of things are important to you - chiefly, more space or closer proximity.

[Anonymous]

Neither! Small town far from the city and the burbs.

[Anonymous]

What i found was having the house in the burbs to be best up until about sixth grade. Then move to the city. Th at way the kids can be more independent by using mass transit.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in the city and suburbs, but the older I get the more I want to move away to the country. We live in a semi-walkable burb for now. I probably wrongly believe that the majority of the people in a city are either very rich, come from one parent homes, are very liberal, or a mix of these three. Neighborhood school in the burbs is a mix of democrats and republicans with children of mostly two parent households of moderate incomes. We like the stability and we don't have jobs in the city so there's no reason to move there. If I could move to a small town or the country though with great schools nearby, I would.

[Anonymous]

It really depends on the city. Like many others, I really value the walkability and close-knit urban communities I've lived in.

[Anonymous]

Our commutes keep us in the close-in suburbs, but if not for commute issues we'd rather be in a large apartment in the city.

[Anonymous]

You do realize that thousands of people make each of those choices every day for very unique and individual reasons, right? There is no one-size-fits-all. I'm a suburban type; always have been; always will be. I have many friends who would be miserable if you forced them to live in the 'burbs. There are many features that go into this decision and only you and your spouse can make the call which choices are primary and which are secondary and hence, which decision is right for your family.

[Anonymous]

city.

we are currently in the city but will be making a move to the suburbs because of a career change for my dh. i love being able to walk to restaurants, parks, shops, etc. i hate having to get in the car and drive everywhere. i also feel like its harder to find the local shops and restaurants in the suburbs and everything just feels like chain restaurants and chain stores all the time.

if i couldn't have the city, i think i would prefer the country to the suburbs.

[Anonymous]

Suburbs for me! I would never be happy in a high-rise or living along a city street. I crave space and at least some privacy.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, if the schools were good, I would have stayed in the city forever. I love city living. Walking everywhere makes me happy. The only reason I didn't buy in DC (instead of North Arlington) is that I couldn't afford something nice in the areas with decent schools and I'm neurotic enough that I'd be completely obsessed with trying to figure out the charter thing. So we live in a walkable part of Arlington and my commute is short.

See if you can find a community with a pool, though. It's really nice to have a pool when you have kids. That's my one regret about where we live - no community pool and the nearby pools have waitlists.

[Anonymous]

I would prefer city life for sure. When things go well.

But I am spoiled by reliable public services like timely snow removal, trash removal, and fast ambulance response. Those types of things have a tendency to be subpar in many large cities.

[Anonymous]

City.

[Anonymous]

Burbs, but such a personal choice. If you like the city I don't see any reason why you shouldn't live there. You've lived there before, so you know what you're getting yourself into.