7 Great Reasons To Live In The Suburbs

If you’re in the process of purchasing your first home, choosing between a big city, rural area or suburb can be difficult. Factors like price, square footage, amenities and even perceived quality of local school districts can all play a major part in determining the right setting for you and your family and enriching your life as a homeowner (and possibly as a future seller, too). If you’re having trouble deciding, explore some of the unique potential benefits suburban areas may have to offer and see what might resonate with you.

It's important to know the facts about the suburbs, especially when you're home shopping. The suburban life may not be for everyone, but there are a lot of advantages to living in the suburbs. 

What’s so attractive about moving farther from the hustle and bustle of city life? You might be surprised! Here's what you should know.

1. Affordability

If you have a limited budget or are looking for a better deal, a nearby suburban neighborhood may have the perfect space for you. In the suburbs buying a house or renting an apartment is usually cheaper than in the city. Unless you plan on moving to a famous or prestigious suburb, the odds are your property's price will be a great deal for the amount of space you get. For the same amount of money you spend to live in a big city in a one bedroom apartment, you can live in a two bedroom apartment that includes parking and all utilities. Generally, you find more space for less money in the suburbs. Not only housing but other necessities are also lower in costs compared to the big city, which means you can save up more money for other expenses and even luxuries.

2. More Space!

3. Amenities

As more and more residents have relocated to the suburbs over the years, they’re still bound to find countless little spots and businesses that make everyone in the community love where they live. Whether you’re looking for a local farmers market, your new favorite restaurant, a fully equipped recreation center or world-class entertainment, rest assured you may not have to give up all the benefits of city living. With many suburban areas now also focusing on walkability, mixed-use space and even designated ‘downtown’ areas, you may be able to get the best of both worlds in the suburbs without the higher price tag.

4. Quality Education

One of the major benefits of suburban living for families is the school systems. 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 the quality of schools in different parts of town. 

Wondering what preschools are like in some Tennessee areas you’re looking to move? We’ve got you covered with A Guide of Best Preschools in Nashville and A Guide of Best Preschools in Williamson County so you can easily discern which schools will serve your child the best.

5. Safety

When searching for a location of a new home, and for many people safety is a top concern, particularly for those that have children. According to the FBI, suburban areas experience significantly less known offenses of violent crime than cities. 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.

6. Healthier Lifestyle

All the busyness and noise of a city can lead to stress and sleep disturbances. But, in the suburbs, there is a lot of peace and quiet. You can escape from work and the stresses of a city, while still being close to people and necessities. Not only is suburban living healthier, it's also safer. Crime rate is lower in comparison to the city making it safe for you and your family.

Further, the abundance of plants encourages fresh air and reduces pollution. You are less exposed to city noises which can help give you a good night’s sleep. The suburbs make it easy to lead an organic, healthy lifestyle. If you prefer a more relaxed and laid-back lifestyle then the suburb is a great choice for you!

7. More Nature to Enjoy 

The suburbs are filled with nature from trees to wildlife. As the suburbs offer more space compared to high-rise buildings in dense cities, it caters to more trees and plants. More varied species of flora grow on the natural ground compared to manmade gardens, so you can cultivate different kinds of vegetation in the suburbs. They also offer local parks where you can enjoy fresh air and natural scenery. Less pollution and cleaner air make the suburbs a healthier place to be. At night you can even see the stars because of less light pollution. For outdoor lovers, the suburbs offer much more nature, trails and parks to enjoy. Many communities even have their own hike and bike trails for neighborhood residents. The suburbs also offer close-knit neighborhoods. There are many opportunities for you to meet people in your neighborhood and have a strong sense of community.

The suburbs are appealing to lots of people knowing  the potential increased square footage, smaller price tag and wealth of opportunity, it’s easy to see why they choose to relocate to the suburbs. Nearby suburban areas may offer many of the amenities of city living, and potentially, the perfect new home but knowing if it's the perfect fit depends on your needs. As always, it's best to talk with an experienced real estate agent to find a home that will fill all those checkboxes.

Wondering which Tennessee suburbs particularly in Davidson and Williamson County are the best to call home in 2021? Send me a message now! : )