City vs. Suburbs: Where Is It Better to Live in Southern California?

Whether you were born in Southern California or are planning to move to the area, the choice between suburb and city can be a difficult one. If you are in the city now, you might be tired of the traffic, the noise, and the lack of parking. Or maybe you're bored of suburban life and want to live somewhere more exciting. Regardless of what you are looking for, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of living in both the suburbs and the city.

Key Factors in Deciding Whether to Live in the City or Suburbs

Some of the things you should consider include housing, commute times, schools, and available amenities. At the end of the day, the choice is going to come down to your current and desired lifestyle.

Housing Options
An important thing to keep in mind when deciding to move to the suburbs or the city is the housing options. Living in the city is an excellent option for singles or couples because there is no shortage of apartment complexes and condominiums. However, the housing options in the city might not always work for larger families unless they can pay a high price. If you have children or pets, moving to the suburbs may be a chance to afford your dream home that gives everyone in your family personal space and better opportunities.

Commute Time
Commuting is also another important factor you should consider when deciding if you should move to the city or the suburbs. Commuting in the city is supposed to take less time because of the short distances. If you already live in one of Southern California’s major cities, however, you already know this isn’t always the case. But there’s no doubt that commuting to the city from the suburbs will take longer. If you work in the city, it may be a good idea to stay close to your job. If you work closer to the suburbs, your commute would be much nicer if you move to the suburbs.

School Options
If you are moving with children, you've probably researched schools in the area already. Generally, suburbs have better-rated schools than those in the city, but this will vary depending on where you’re looking. If educational opportunities are a concern for you, this is an important factor to keep in mind. You should find a school that offers the educational opportunities and curriculum that meet the needs of you and your child—whether it’s a robust arts or sports program. Even if you have younger children, be sure to consider the middle schools and high schools they will attend as they grow older.

Entertainment Options & Amenities
The most crucial factor when looking for a new city to live in is to make sure that it fits your lifestyle. Are you looking for a place with limitless entertainment options and outdoor activities? Are you looking for a location that has recreational activities available for your child? Or are you looking for a city with nightlife and adventure? Cities like West Hollywood or downtown Los Angeles may be an excellent location for couples who like to have limitless entertainment. However, Burbank may be more suitable for a family of four.

Why Choose the Suburbs?

Here are a few of the reasons people choose the suburbs over the city in Southern California:

• Lower Cost: It’s typically cheaper to live in the suburbs versus a city. According to one study, families in cities spend about $9,000 more each year on housing and childcare costs than those that live in the suburbs. This number is higher in areas like California and New York, where the cost of city living is exceptionally high.
• More Space: Houses, apartments, and condominiums in the suburbs are often larger than their city counterparts. There’s more space and the cost of real estate is lower, so you are likely to be able to get a larger property in the suburbs of Southern California than you would in the city.
• Less Crime: Major U.S. cities are likely to have higher crime rates than suburbs. Specific crime statistics will depend on the city or region, but you’re likely to see fewer property crimes and violent crimes in suburbs.

Why Choose the City?

Here are a few reasons people choose Southern California cities over suburbs:

• More Cultural Diversity: Southern California’s major cities are rich with culturally diverse people, architecture, art, music, and food. Living in Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood, and similar areas will typically offer more cultural diversity than suburbs.
• Easier Transportation: If you live in the suburbs, you’ll be almost entirely reliant on private transportation to get around. You’ll most likely need at least one car. Families will probably need at least two. In the city, however, there are more options not only for public transportation but for rideshare services like Uber and Lyft.
• More to Do: There is absolutely no limit to what you can do and experience when you live in a Southern California city. There are countless museums, art galleries, educational centers, parks, malls, restaurants, bars, theaters, and so much more. In the suburbs, your options may be limited.

City or Suburb? Either Way, Our Southern California Movers Can Help!

Whether you’re moving to a city or suburb, if you are ready to pack your things and move to an area that fits your needs, contact Affordable Quality Moving and Storage today. We have been owned and operated by our family since 1996. We help people make their moving process an easy one as we pack, transport, and unpack their belongings in their new home. We believe that quality, all-inclusive moving services should always come at an affordable price.