Urban vs. Rural Housing – The Pros and Cons

For first time homeowners, it can be difficult to decide on the perfect piece of property. The location you choose should accommodate your lifestyle both short-term and in the long run. Understanding the pros and cons of urban vs. rural housing will point you in the right direction when considering your location.

Overall Cost of Living

Generally speaking, the closer your proximity to metropolitan areas, the more expensive housing will be. A three bedroom home in the country may cost the same as a small, one bedroom apartment in the city. Living in an urban setting also comes with higher overall costs where everything from food to parking to gasoline is more expensive. If you’re just starting out and on a limited budget, living in the city can be difficult from a financial perspective.

Amenities

When it comes to restaurants, shops, venues, clubs and general entertainment, an urban area has much more to offer than a rural one. If you’re the type of person who craves constant stimulation and enjoys a fast-paced lifestyle, a large city is the ticket.

If you’re more laid back and prefer a serene and tranquil setting, then a smaller town is your best bet. However, the downside is that you will probably be limited in terms of amenities and may have to drive a longer distance, which means more money spent on gasoline.

Job Opportunities

With metropolitan areas being the central hub of commerce, they tend to have considerably more job opportunities than places with a smaller population density. Regardless of the industry, there’s usually more potential to further your career when living in an urban environment.

You also don’t have to deal with the pain of commuting like you would when living in an outlying area and still working in the city. However, with many of today’s jobs involving some level of telecommuting, this isn’t as big of an issue as it was in the past.

Raising a Family

If you have a family or are planning on starting one in the future, this can heavily influence your decision making. A rural area can be advantageous because larger homes that are capable of housing multiple people are more affordable than in the city.

Safety is often an issue when raising children, so many parents are wary of big cities with higher crime rates. There is also more space for children to play outside and minimal supervision is required. However, the upside to raising children in the city is that you will usually find more educational facilities with a variety of academic programs.

Pollution

Industrialization and deforestation are two things that go along with building the infrastructure of a big city. An unfortunate byproduct of this is increased pollution, which can diminish air quality and throw of the environmental equilibrium. If this is an issue, then an urban setting probably won’t be to your liking.

Proximity to Nature

Living in a rural setting means closer access to parks, forests and recreational areas, which is a big plus for some people. If you enjoy activities like hiking, camping and mountain biking, living in the country is ideal. Otherwise, urban living can be a fine option if proximity to nature isn’t a big deal.

This blog has been provided by Union Mortgage Investment Group

6705 Red Road Suite 508 Coral Gables, FL 33143

305.598.9896 (Office)

http://www.unionmtg.net/