February 16, 2018 - Noel Jones

Home is where the heart is, but what if you are torn between the bright lights of the city and the wide open spaces of the suburbs? Selecting the right area for you and your family can be a challenge as there are crucial elements you need to consider before making your move.

What are your priorities? Accessibility to quality schools? A large backyard? An off lead area to walk your dog? A park complete with playground for the kids to run around in? These and other wish-list items such as mountain views or being within walking distance of a busy restaurant strip are an important consideration and can dictate where you’ll be happiest.

Before you begin house hunting, take time to write a list of the things that are important to you and then choose the type of area that fits your lifestyle.

Here are a few points to consider when deciding between the city or the suburbs:

City

If you love the nightlife, dining at top-notch restaurants, browsing designer shops and having public transport right on your doorstep, then the city may be the place for you.

Ask yourself:

Do I go out several times a week for a meal or coffee?
Do I prefer to ride a bike or catch public transport over driving a car?
Will all of my belongings fit in an apartment, unit or townhouse?
Do I work and/or spend most of my free time in the CBD?
Do I value having my work, home and lifestyle amenities all within close proximity?

If you answered yes to most of those questions, then city living is for you.

Suburbs

Suitable to all buyer demographics; be it first home buyers, upsizers, downsizers or investors, the suburbs can also offer superb lifestyle convenience.

Providing great accessibility to schools, childcare and medical services, large shopping centres, public transport, sporting and recreational facilities, the suburbs have many benefits; especially for families.

Ask yourself:

Do I have kids and/or pets that need space to play?
Do I prefer large supermarkets and outlets with plenty of parking over boutique stores?
Does my family have several vehicles and need the space to park them?
Do I like entertaining on a large scale?
Are decent local schools more important to me than nightclubs/nightlife?

If you answered yes to most of the above questions, then the suburbs are the place for you.

Of course, budget constraints may also play a part in whether the city or the suburbs is where you end up. The key to finding your ‘happy place’ is knowing your priorities and sometimes making sacrifices to get there. A family can easily live a city lifestyle, as long as they are happy to compromise on space. Young professionals can live in the outer suburbs, as long as they don’t mind the commute to work every day.

Home is what you make of it; so when it comes to city versus suburbs, the lifestyle you seek will determine your ideal destination.

Image credit: Suzanne Trew

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