Rural vs. Urban Living. What are the Benefits?
Choosing a spot to live is about more than picking a place at random and moving there. There are plenty of determining factors that will help you decide on where the perfect spot is. For example: what do the school districts look like? How accessible is the location? What does the commute look like? Do you want a walkable community or more land area? Or are you looking for something with a mix of both? While this list isn’t all you need to ask yourself, these are important questions and factors to consider. When looking to buy a home, it is also important to find a confident and competent agent who knows the unique situation in each potential location.
Urban Living – walkable communities and eclectic neighborhoods
Picture this: you’re a regular at your favorite corner store coffee shop and the bakery up the street knows you (and your dog!) by name. In St. Louis, we have a wide variety of unique, cultural, and tight-knit communities where your favorite spots are within walking distance.
The Grove, Central West End, and South Hampton are all examples of vibrant neighborhoods with corner stores galore. The allure of urban living is strong, and these idyllic spots are perfect for a single person, new couples, or even an established family.
In St. Louis, there is also plenty of historic architecture in these urban neighborhoods, with a healthy balance of new construction to draw in developers. While the urban St. Louis area is a hot commodity though, that can also make it a bit harder to find the perfect spot because so many other families are looking in that spot! But don’t get discouraged – the right agent will help you secure the perfect home.
Additionally, you’ll likely be working with less yard space, less parking, and houses that are closer together. There are a few ‘unicorn’ spots in the region with ample green space, and many come with a garage, but chances are your yard will not be sprawling and your neighbors will be close!
Regardless, urban living is a dream for many, and can have so many pros, including that coffee shop and mom-and-pop bakery! If you want to work with an agent who was born and raised in the area, let’s chat!
Rural Living – sprawling acreage and beautiful views
Within no less than 30 minutes of the downtown St. Louis region, you can find stunning views and communities that rival even the best ‘small town feel’ without being too far from a metropolis. In St. Charles City and County and Jefferson County, you can live your rural dreams while still having access to the larger region!
With a larger distance between neighbors, rural living offers a quieter alternative to urban and even suburban life. The cost of living can be cheaper, and you’re typically allowed to have farm animals (or even just chickens!) whereas in an urban setting you could not. With rural living though, you will likely experience a longer commute (unless you WFH!) and you may be further from the center of town.
All things considered though, rural living provides plenty of benefits and opportunities, especially for those looking to live a quieter and simpler life.
