When looking for a new home, you may be torn between moving to someplace rural versus moving to an urban neighborhood. While it is true that you may be able to get more space for your money with a home in a rural area, there are many advantages to living in an urban neighborhood that simply cannot be overlooked.
What is an Urban Neighborhood?
Before exploring the benefits of living in an urban neighborhood, it is helpful to get a better idea of what an urban neighborhood is. Generally speaking, urban neighborhoods are those that are found in the core of a city. In a larger city, the majority of homes in an urban neighborhood may be apartment buildings, townhouses and condos. This is not always the case, however, and may vary significantly from one metro area to another. In older cities, for example, you may actually find a mix of old meets new, with older warehouses and buildings transformed into residential space. You may even find beautiful historical space within the city’s core that is being used for residential or commercial space.
Reducing Commute Time with Urban Living
For many professionals, living in an urban neighborhood means helping to keep down the amount of time it takes to get to work. The bulk of businesses and their headquarters are typically located within or near to the city center. If you live outside of the city, you can expect your commute to and from these employers to take much longer than it will take if you live in an urban neighborhood. In fact, if you live in the city, you will likely have ample public transportation available at your fingertips, helping to reduce the amount of time it takes to get to work while also reducing the overall cost of transportation.
Enjoying Amenities When Living in an Urban Neighborhood
Living in an urban neighborhood also allows you to more easily enjoy all of the amenities that a city has to offer. This includes those amenities that make life fun, like theaters, night clubs, pubs, theme parks, zoos and museums. You also enjoy easier access to those amenities that make life easier, such as hospitals, restaurants and stores. The further outside of the city that you live, the further you have to drive in order to access all of the amenities that the city has to offer. Again, this wastes time and money that could be saved by simply living closer to where all of the action exists.
Of course, for some people, moving to an urban neighborhood can create a form of culture shock if this is not the type of neighborhood in which you are used to living. Life within an urban setting tends to be more fast-paced than other settings and drivers may seem more aggressive. With the inclusivity of the city combined with its many amenities, attractions, employment opportunities and other benefits, however, you will soon find yourself seeing past this difference in lifestyle and enjoying all that living in an urban neighborhood has to offer.
