The UK has some wonderful, vibrant cities that offer a huge amount to the people who live there, from work opportunities to culture, leisure and entertainment facilities, dining and nightlife.
But is it better to live in the city itself or just outside, in the suburbs? If you’re trying to decide which would be right for you, here are some of the key things to think about:
Property prices
Of course, there are always exceptions, but prices are generally higher in city centres, where both space and convenience are at a premium. Although it will cost you more to buy into a city, the benefit is that you will have easier access to public transport, or can even walk to work or other places you frequent.
Outside space
The closer you get to a city centre, the more of a challenge it can be to find a property with a decent-sized garden and parking. So if those things are high on your priority list, you might be better to focus on the suburbs, where you’ll get more outside space for your money.
Travel and transport
In a city, everything is more or less on your doorstep, and a lot of people find that most of the time they can get everywhere they need on public transport. With work and leisure facilities just a walk or a short bus ride away, couples and families can often make do with one car.
Living in the suburbs, it’s likely to be a longer commute to work and you’ll probably have to travel further to get to all the amenities you need. That means spending more time travelling every week, and you may need to budget for having an extra car.
Of course, the benefit of living on a quieter street in the suburbs is that you’ll probably be able to get to and from your home by car very easily. But as the roads get busier and more congested in a city, that might be a bit trickier, especially at certain times of the day.
Noise and people
If you’re used to living in the city, you may not even register the noise and probably enjoy the hustle and bustle! But there is a lot more traffic, a denser population and more going on in a city than in the suburbs, all of which generates a significant amount of noise through the day - and sometimes a lot of the night.
So, if you haven’t lived in a city before, it’s worth spending some time there really focusing on how busy it is and whether that would suit you. For instance, if you like to have your windows open, could you live with the noise, especially if emergency vehicles pass frequently?
Food and nightlife
If you eat out regularly and like going to bars and events in the evenings, the city could be perfect for you. There’s a huge range of restaurants and different cuisines at every price point, many of which will be either a walk or a short bus or taxi ride away.
Having so much on your doorstep means you can be more spontaneous about going out, and if you want to order food in or get a take-away it tends to be quicker and easier than if you live outside the city.
Green spaces
While most cities have parks, and there is certainly a focus today on providing green spaces and pedestrian-only zones, there’s no doubt that it’s easier to access nature if you live in the suburbs. The further you get out of the city, the more trees and parkland you’ll see, the more likely homes are to have bigger gardens, and the countryside is only a short car ride away.
Safety
With more people in a city and a greater level of anonymity than in the residential suburbs, crime can be more of an issue. That means you may need to think more about home security and being aware of personal safety on the streets. There’s also the general safety concern that comes with getting around on foot when there are higher levels of traffic and construction.
In contrast, suburbs tend to be quieter with more of a sense of community, so they’re often perceived as safer, which makes them a popular choice with families and older people.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your lifestyle and affordability. If you enjoy an energetic environment and value convenience and ease of access to amenities and work, the city can certainly offer those things. In that case, the biggest question for you might be whether you can afford a property in the right location, without having to compromise too much on space.
On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter home life but still want to be within easy striking distance of the city, the suburbs can offer just that, along with more space that you could get in the city for the same price.
If you’d like to chat through your options and see what kind of properties you could get for your budget, we’re here to help. Just get in touch with your nearest branch and speak to one of our sales experts.
