Ten years ago, cities focused on revitalizing the central regions and increasing their viability. This made a lot of sense, given that the young millennials had few family responsibilities and wanted to be closer to the city center. Construction of apartments in the city center worked for cities during the recession, because the increase in housing options required a small investment in infrastructure. In addition, more people rented than bought because loans were harder to obtain. And this reduced moving to suburban neighborhoods.
But in the last few years, the suburbs have been revived. Even millennials are now moving to suburban neighborhoods – and they affect future development outside of cities. The renewed interest in the suburbs is mainly due to the fact that the millennials are getting older and creating families. But there are many reasons why more and more people hire moving companies Bergen County NJ and move to the suburbs.
Here are nine benefits of moving to suburban neighborhoods that encourage people to return there
1. More space
New Home Source notes that the popularity of the suburbs is growing because they offer more space for distribution. The closer you get to the center of the city, the smaller the size of the dwelling is. This can be doable for individual professionals or couples, but for families, this can be a problem.
2. Best price per square foot
As homes become less accessible in urban centers, people are moving to suburban neighborhoods. Although houses are bigger, they are often cheaper in the suburbs. For example, in August 2018, the average price of a single-family home was around $295,000. When you want to get the most out of your house for your money, the suburb is the place to hunt the house.
3. Less crowded area
When moving to New Jersey, it’s hard not to be in the center of the crowd. But when moving to suburban neighborhoods, it is possible. Of course, you may have to travel a little further when you live in the suburbs, but this is the only time that you have to deal with the crowds of the city. A suburb almost always has fewer people per square mile, which means less congestion. For example, in 2017 in Hackensack, the population density was 10,563 people per square mile. That same year, Upper Montclair had 4,561 people per square mile. One of the key areas in which less population density is a big deal is in schools. In the suburbs, as a rule, the ratio of students and teachers is better.
4. A better general school system
One of the main advantages of living in suburbs for families is the school system. Although charter schools are beginning to change the landscape everywhere, suburbs, as a rule, have schools with higher ratings. In New Jersey, this is certainly the case when suburban school districts, such as Millburn and Princeton, are among the highest rated in the state.
5. More privacy
Due to fewer people and wider, open spaces, suburbs can offer people more privacy than city life. This is especially true when comparing suburban home with a downtown apartment.
6. Convenience is closer than ever in suburban areas
This is just one of the ways in which millennial migration to the suburbs changes development. As the suburban population grew and changed, so did the choice of amenities. Design movement “New urbanism” brings more diversity and opportunities for suburban residents, from green markets to entertainment.
And all these amenities are closer than ever. Many new communities are designed to be suitable for walking. Today, even in the suburbs, mixed spaces begin to develop. More and more suburbs are starting to feel like small cities without a higher price.
7. More nature to enjoy
Although in some cities, such as Jersey City and Newark, there is a lot of green space, that is not always the case in every big city. However, more greenery and nature exist in the suburbs. For outdoor enthusiasts, the best NJ suburbs offer much more nature, trails, and parks. Many communities even have their own hiking and cycling routes for local residents.
8. Safety
A few years ago many people were moving to suburban neighborhoods mainly due to security concerns. Cities are safer today than decades ago, but in most of them, the crime rate is still higher than in the suburbs. It is also more common to see gated communities in the suburbs.
9. More voice in local government and community development
To be fair, no matter where you live, you can always somehow participate in the local community. However, in a small suburban community, it is much easier to be heard and assume a role in the local government, your children’s schools, etc., because there are fewer people with whom you have to fight.
10. Enjoy the quality of life
When you live in the suburbs, you are close enough to get to the city for work and cultural events, but you can also use shops, restaurants, medical services, and emergency services right in your own society. If you are in the center of the city or are surrounded by farms or rolling hills, which you most want, you may find that the suburbs are too big a compromise. But if you are looking for a taste of both worlds, the suburb is probably for you.
