If the thought of making the move from the city to the suburbs has crossed your mind, you’re not the only one. Many real estate experts say that the coronavirus has had a major effect on people’s views of city life. Fear of catching the virus is no longer the main concern. People are questioning what they want most from a home— which makes sense at a time where we’re spending more time at home than ever before.
After covid-19 shelter-in-place restrictions were announced, about 5% of New York City residents left the city for some amount of time. While it’s true that some people are making temporary moves to less busy areas, many are making the move permanent. Here are a few reasons why living in the suburbs could be perfect for your situation.
Green space and the outdoors
With more time spent indoors, and without an end in sight to social distancing, families and single people are going stir-crazy indoors. This is especially true for people living in huge cities like New York, such as a couple who made the move from the Big Apple to a suburb in New Jersey in June. They commented that being able to let the dog out in the yard changed everything.
Small things like this, along with the ability to garden and relax in your own backyard, are becoming more appealing to city-dwellers. Families with kids, in particular, might find their kids enjoy non-city life more. With low-traffic streets, kids are free to ride their bikes around the neighborhood. If you find a home with a trail or park nearby, playing outside is all the more convenient.
Space to breathe
For a couple in a Manhattan apartment who’s homeschooling kids for the first time (while also working from home), the idea of a large suburban home with a pool and backyard sounds like a dream.
Simply having a more spacious living area means families can have separate areas for relaxing, working, and eating. Many families have been using one space for everything in their city apartments- for example, using the kitchen table as a multipurpose place to eat, work, educate, and play. That makes it all the more appealing to think about living in a larger home, along with the option to hang out on the porch or in the backyard instead of being cooped up inside all the time.
The rise of working from home
With more companies offering the ability to work from home full time, employees have the freedom to choose where they live based on their lifestyle, instead of just proximity to work. And when you’re not commuting or paying as much in gas, people can choose to live in an area that’s further away from offices and shops if they’d like to live a quieter life.
Affordability
Your dollar simply stretches more when in the suburbs versus the city. When it comes to your home, you’ll get more square footage for your dollar than you can in the city. And homeownership comes with many advantages when compared to renting, such as control over renovations and the ability to build equity. If you’re thinking about buying a home in the suburbs, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Beyond that, the cost of living is typically much easier on the wallet if you choose to move to the suburbs. Of course, a move out of the city means fewer options when it comes to entertainment, restaurants, and other shops. However, everyday items, entertainment, and services (such as childcare and going to the movies) are much more affordable in the suburbs. It all depends on what you value most in the place you call home.