Choosing where to live can be a difficult decision. Many people experience the challenging choice of deciding whether to live in the city or out in the suburbs. There are many factors that can influence this choice, from job opportunities to growing families.

If you're struggling to decide which lifestyle is right for you— urban or suburban— then check out this pros and cons list to compare living in the city versus the suburbs.

Living in the City

Soaring buildings and endless opportunities are what drives someone to live in a city. However, that balances out with the noise and challenges of having so many people in one space. Only you can decide if you love the hustle and bustle. 

Here are the pros and cons of city life.

Pros

There are a lot of great things about living in the heart of a city. There's an energy that comes from city life that can be invigorating, and make you feel as though you're a part of something more. 

One of the main benefits of living in the city is overall convenience. There tends to be more job opportunities in metropolitan areas, particularly in growing cities like Dallas. Pair that with having an apartment or condo nearby, and getting to work isn't such a chore. It also tends to be easier to find somewhere to live— check out The Urban Avenue, for example.

If variety is the spice of life, then cities are full of flavor. They tend to be more diverse than the suburbs, which encourages growth and a more worldly view.

Finally, there's always something to do in the city at any budget. From large events to free spectacles, it's hard to be bored on a Friday night.

Cons

Of course, for every positive, there is a negative. Life in the city tends to be more expensive than in the suburbs. A sandwich that would cost you $5 outside of city limits might cost $10 within. 

There's also a lack of space due to the overwhelming amount of people. The traffic and noise can become too much. With too many people comes an increased crime rate and smaller living areas.

There are many who prefer to live in the suburbs to get away from the chaos of city life. Here are some of the pros and cons of escaping to the suburbs.

Pros

When you live in the suburbs, you get more space to call your own. Furthermore, that space often comes at a more affordable rate per square foot. 

The suburbs tend to be more family-oriented, with great schools and programs that promote high-quality education and youth engagement. Many who live in the suburbs feel safer, as they tend to know everyone around them.

Cons

As the suburbs are more residential, there tends to be fewer job opportunities. This trade-off means commuting into the city for work in many cases, which can add a few extra hours to the workday.

Additionally, there is less accessibility to entertainment, public transit, and other conveniences the city has to offer.

More space doesn't always mean more privacy. The sheer amount of people in cities often creates a sense of anonymity, which is lost in small neighborhoods and communities. For some, the anonymity of city life feels lonely, while others prefer that level of privacy.  

Should You Live in the City or the Suburbs?

Only you can decide if living in the city or the suburbs is right for you. Many city dwellers choose to leave their metropolitan home when they raise a family, while others see the parks and culture as a worthwhile trade-off for space.

Weigh the pros and cons with your goals and plans to determine the right path.