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Suburbia vs. inner city – the residential debate

Market Insights
6 years ago
4 minutes

The debate between city dwellers and suburban settlers as to who has the better lifestyle is a familiar, relentless and divisive one. So, with both camps determined their neck of the woods is superior, how do you know which is right for you?

While there are many attractive factors that make inner city living a haven of connectivity, suburbia boasts a similarly alluring list of benefits – this, of course, is what makes the life-changing decision of where to take up residence a difficult one. To discover which option will offer you the best lifestyle, block out the biased ramblings of your friends and explore our list of all-important criteria.article-image

Anew apartments in Sydney's suburb Rockdale

 

Connectivity and travel 

Before you start exploring luxury highrise apartments in the CBD or charming townhouses in the suburbs, objectively consider your lifestyle with regards to location. Where do you work? Where do your friends and family live? If you spend most of your time in the city and detest travel, picking an inner-city location is a no-brainer. Likewise, if your life is suburb-centric, take up residence nearby.

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The Revy apartments in Sydney suburb Pyrmont

If, however, you quite enjoy singing along to the car radio or you use the morning tram ride to escape into a book, then the need for instant connectivity may not be your biggest priority.

 

Local amenity

For city dwellers, the incredible access to whatever you want, whenever you want it, is often recited as a top benefit of inner-city living. And if you’re the type of person who craves 2am milkshakes or enjoys working out before the sun comes up, it’s likely that a cosmopolitan setting is better suited to your needs and desires.

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Collins Arch apartments in Melbourne CBD

That’s not to say suburbia doesn’t offer a healthy range of amenities. Most neighbourhoods have a local bakery, butcher, favourite cafe, hairdressers, opticians – you name it. Although you might run out of places to buy new specs if you fall out with the local optometrist, you should find enough eateries, bars and shops to meet your daily needs. And if you’re prone to more adventurous shopping escapades, make sure you have a dependable link to the city.

 

Community Feeling

In the beating heart of the city, every type of person can be found. The CBD is a wonderful mix of diverse local communities, suburban daytrippers or nighttime visitors and exotic tourists. This collective makes finding your niche community possible, whatever you’re looking for – something which may not be possible in the suburbs. On the flip side, the anonymity that the crowds allow you can be refreshing and liberating.

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Castle Residences in Sydney CBD

Those happily settled in the suburbs will argue that community involvement is easier in a smaller neighbourhood. They enjoy the warming familiarity of greeting neighbours in the supermarket and the fact that the baker knows their kids’ names – these little details do wonders for creating a real sense of belonging to a community. If you’re enchanted by old-fashioned ideas of village living, it’s likely you belong in the suburbs – in a shiny, new apartment, of course. 

 

Relax your way

What do you do to relax? If you’re picturing yourself in a rooftop bar with a drink in hand, being in close proximity of city bars might come in handy. If a jog in the park, surrounded by dogs, children and nature is more up your leafy street, your ideal home is probably away from the hustle and bustle of city life and nestled neatly in the suburbs.article-image

Quadrum apartments in Sydney suburb Cremorne


Have a better idea of where you want to start looking for your new home? Search for off the plan apartments in the city and the suburbs here.