As a Realtor ®, one of the oldest questions I’ve heard people ask over the years is: “is an urban home better than a suburban home?” Although both options might have their positive points, it’s best to thoroughly examine the choice to move to city or suburbs before making the commitment.
Why Move To An Urban Setting?
One of the benefits of choosing to move to the heart of Portland, Oregon, a true urban setting, is that we have the highest concentration of shops, stores, restaurants and entertainment options to choose from compared to other towns across Oregon.
Over the last few years Downtown Portland has also become a “foodie” destination thanks to the variety of restaurants and food trucks that we have here.
When you’re not enjoying Portland’s food scene you can enjoy our many breweries or use our easy to use public transportation system to get around without the hassle of driving.
Although urban living is the choice for many residents of “Portlandia” it’s important to keep in mind some of the cons of living in an urban setting which include:
· Higher crime rates (depending on neighborhood)
· More traffic
· Busy streets
The costs of living in an urban setting also include higher mortgages, insurance premiums, HOA, and other costs which come with owning a home in an urban setting but the payoff is worth it if you want a home in an area where you can really enjoy your quality of life that the city has to offer you.
Why Move To A Suburban Area?
Lower home prices is just one of the many reasons why some people choose the suburbs versus moving to an urban setting like Downtown Portland.
Some more reasons to consider moving to the suburbs include: quiet streets, more green spaces, friendly neighbors, and the same type of suburban atmosphere you might have been raised in as a child.
Keep in mind that when moving to the suburbs you may face a longer commute to your job each day so that’s an important factor to consider when thinking about how either decision will affect your life.
For more tips on moving to the suburbs versus moving to an urban area, contact me, Katie Bain, Realtor ® with EquityPoint Real Estate by calling me at (503) 595-8800 or click here to contact me through my website.