Things to consider when moving from urban to suburban

There comes a time in most city-dweller’s lives when they decide urban living may not be for them anymore. When you’re young, in school and like to go out on the town, living in the busy, bustling downtown core is appealing. You don’t need a car, you can walk home from the bar, you’re close to everything you need and there’s often no need to really leave your neighbourhood. However, once you grow older and get tired of the bar scene, you decide to have a family or you are simply over the loud city lifestyle, you start to look elsewhere. Perhaps you’re not totally ready to give up the conveniences of city-living, but you could sure use a break from rush hour, police sirens and overcrowded sidewalks. Solution? The suburbs!

If you’re considering moving to the suburbs, ask yourself these questions before making the switch:

What are the amenities like in the suburbs?

It’s important to know what will be easily accessible if you move out of the city’s everyday hustle and bustle. Are there good schools close by if I decide to / already have kids? If we run out of milk or bread, where is the nearest grocery store? How quickly can I get to the nearby hospital? These are all questions you should have answered before deciding this is the suburb for you. If you like to have things easily accessible, perhaps you’ll choose an area close to a shopping centre or beside a major roadway leading you back to the city.

How long will it take me to get to my regularly scheduled appointments?

Map out how long it would take you to get to work, your doctor, your best friend’s house, all your regular trips. These are all important places that may not be changing for a while, or perhaps ever, so it’s important to know how to long it will take you to get there and if you’re willing to make the trip regularly or in poor weather.

What kind of activities/services are available in this new suburb?

Whether you like to go to the movies, attend regular fitness classes, shop or eat out at a variety of restaurants, you need to know what’s available in your new neighbourhood. Suburbs often mean fewer services available with shorter hours of operation, so you’ll have to be ok with this. If fitness is important to you, perhaps you’ll choose a suburb close to a recreation centre or public swimming pool. If you like to get outside on your bike or run on trails, maybe you’ll choose a suburb right on the edge of the city with pathways and an easy exit to the mountains nearby.

On top of these questions, you should look into the tax differences, daycare services, local events and outdoor activities offered in your new suburb before making your final decision. There are many pros and cons to living in the suburbs, so make sure that this is the right choice for you before pulling the trigger.