LOCATIONS – URBAN SUBURBAN AND RURAL

When buying a home, location is just as important a consideration as home type. Families, for example, should take into account things like crime-rate, school ratings, recreation spaces, etc., while those without children may prefer an environment with a lively nightlife and culinary scene. Whether urban, suburban, or rural, the location is as much a part of the purchase as the home itself. Here are some helpful guidelines for choosing the right location for you.

 

LOCATIONS – URBAN SUBURBAN AND RURAL

Living in the city can be exciting and convenient, but it also presents a variety of challenges. From heavy traffic to noise-, air-, and street pollution, to a higher cost of living, urban life isn’t for those who like to stop and smell the roses.

Pros

• Urban settings feature access to amenities like shopping, entertainment, and eateries.
• Many of these amenities will lie within walking or at least biking distance, and many cities offer public transport, saving city-dwellers on driving expenses such as gas and car insurance.
• Night owls and those with variable schedules can take advantage of extended hours of operation.
• Cities are culturally diverse and often have dynamic art scenes.
• Most cities feature playgrounds and other public spaces.

Cons

• The city tends to be loud. From the constant sounds of traffic, to the constant din of voices, it can be hard to escape the noise.
• Besides noise pollution, cities also tend to have air and street pollution. This not only looks bad, it’s bad for you.
• Urban areas are densely populated. That means a lot of people in a small space. For those who demand privacy, this can put cities out of the running.
• Urban homeowners pay higher property taxes and incur an overall higher cost of living than suburbanites and country-dwellers.
• Cities are generally less safe than other environments, making them a risk that many families aren’t willing to take.

 

LOCATIONS – URBAN SUBURBAN AND RURAL

The suburbs are the most popular home location for families. That’s because they’re safe, and because they offer many of the conveniences of cities, while also catering to a more relaxed, private lifestyle. The rows of manicured lawns certainly look ideal, but the suburbs aren’t ideal for all buyers.

Pros

• Suburban neighborhoods are often built on the outskirts of cities, making them convenient for families who have to make frequent use of modern amenities. College Park, for instance, retains a quaint suburban charm against the backdrop of downtown Orlando, which looms less than two miles away.
• Suburban homes are usually larger than city dwellings, offering families the space they need.
• The single-family homes that account for the majority of suburban residential real estate have the highest resale value of any type of property.
• Suburbs have, on average, lower crime rates than urban areas. Their relative safety is probably the biggest draw for families.
• Suburban neighborhoods often feature public spaces such as playgrounds and fitness trails.
• Suburban property is taxed more lightly, and is cheaper per square foot, than most urban real estate.

Cons

• Suburbanites often incur long commutes to work, costing them gas money and sleep.
• Architecture and landscaping in the suburbs can tend to be overly homogenized, especially in cookie-cutter housing developments.
• Investors in short-term rental properties have a limited selection of suburbs that allow vacation homes.

 

LOCATIONS – URBAN SUBURBAN AND RURAL

Many prospective homebuyers have dreams of moving to the country. The privacy, scenery, and large properties at low prices attract people from all points on the grid with the promise of getting off of it. But while living off the beaten path can be a luxury to some, it can be a burden to others.

Pros

• Rural homes are relatively safe due to inaccessibility and small surrounding populations.
• Privacy! For those who seek solitude, a rural property is the only kind of real estate where they’ll find it in its pure form.
• Nature lovers can enjoy the outdoors with no man-made obstructions or eyesores.
• Rural homeowners don’t have to worry about pollution, neither from noise, light, emissions, nor garbage.
• Country-dwellers don’t have to submit to any stringent city or HOA regulations mandating the look of their property.
• Rural property taxes are low.

Cons

• While property taxes are low, the reason for this is that rural properties lack access to amenities and infrastructure that urban and suburban homeowners enjoy.
• Older homeowners may want to consider the prolonged response time of medical units to remote properties.
• Reselling a country home can be a difficult process as it will have a more limited demand than comparable urban and suburban homes.
• Children in rural environments miss out on the formative socialization afforded to neighborhood kids in the cities and suburbs.

 

LOCATIONS – URBAN SUBURBAN AND RURAL

Orlando’s immense size and variety of locations afford prospective homebuyers a wealth of options in choosing where to live. As Orlando real estate premier area experts, our Team uses our intimate familiarity with Central Florida’s urban, suburban, and rural landscapes to help steer you on the right path in your home-buying adventure.