When buying a house, the beauty of city vs suburb is in the eye of the beholder. If you are still determining where to call home, keep reading to learn about the differences between suburban and city life.  

Difference Between Cities and Suburbs:  

With the expansion and growth of large metropolitan areas, what defines a city vs. a suburb isn’t exactly clear-cut. For example, we have Olmos Park, Alamo Heights, Schertz, and Live Oak, which are widely considered suburbs of San Antonio, but with the continual growth San Antonio has experienced, these suburbs are starting to resemble small cities.  

Generally, cities are defined as the core of a metropolitan area, while suburbs are outside the city limits. Let’s compare the pros and cons of city living vs suburban living.  

Pros of Suburban Living 

Less Expensive: Living in a suburban area tends to be more affordable in terms of the cost of living, housing prices, and essentials (groceries, fuel, etc.). 

-More Space: Larger homes with a yard are often hard to come by and more expensive in an urban area. The suburbs might be a better option if you are looking for space.  

-Healthier: Since most suburbs are more open and less populated, they tend to have less air pollution, less noise pollution, and more options for outdoor activities.  

-Lower Crime Rates: Typically, crime rates are lower in the suburbs.  

- Better Access to Education: Suburban schools tend to have lower enrollment, higher performance rates, and more access to one-on-one education time.  

Cons of Suburban Living 

Fewer Job Opportunities: Living in the suburbs means you are more likely to have to commute to work, which means there is potential traffic when driving into a city.  

-Quieter Lifestyle: The quieter lifestyle makes suburbs more appealing to families and older individuals.  

Pros of Urban Living 

-Diversity: Cities tend to be more culturally diverse and will have a larger immigrant population. Raising children in a city will expose them to a wide variety of people and help them learn about different cultures. 

-Public Transport: Most large cities have accessible public transportation. This is an affordable and convenient mode of transport.   

More Job Opportunities: Inside a city, there is more access to a variety of job opportunities, especially corporate jobs.  

-Things to Do: Cities have lots to do, everything from concert venues to museums and plenty of restaurants.  

-Renter Friendly: Cities are more appealing to younger adults who often prefer to rent and save up for a house.  

Cons of Urban Living 

Expensive Rent/Properties: Space is a commodity in a city, which often leads to higher rents than in a suburb. Homes in cities also tend to be priced higher.  

-Higher Cost of Living: Groceries, events, and fuel are more likely to cost more inside the city.  

-Higher Crime Rates: Areas with a higher population density often experience a higher crime rate. 

-Traffic/Fewer Parking Areas: Navigating city streets during rush hours means traffic. Another aspect to consider is the lack of public parking. Parking garages are often hourly and can be a few blocks from the destination.  

If you are looking for a new place to call your home, our agents are skilled in various real estate properties. We have agents specializing in apartments, suburban homes, rental properties, city living, and ranch and farm homes.  

Let an LRG agent do the work for you. LRG agents will help and guide you through all your home needs. Contact us at 210-879-8220 or message us on our website. You can also follow us or message us on Instagram and Facebook! Also, check out our TikTok!