Moving out of NYC?

New York City is the epicenter of so much professionally, culturally, and socially. After a while, however, many homebuyers start to consider leaving the city. When the pandemic hit, in particular, individuals had to rethink aspects of their lives and consider the benefits of the suburbs. So what are the things that brought people out of New York, and, more importantly, what are the things that got them to leave for good?

What People Love About the Suburbs:

Space: New Yorkers have often championed their ability to live in apartments with small square footage. When everyone was told to stay home at the start of the pandemic, apartments became the place for everything: sleep, work, exercise, entertainment, meals, etc. Extra space was the most sought-after and needed amenity. Homes in the suburbs afforded more room to add an office, gym, playroom, and space to breathe. Homebuyers have come to appreciate having flexible rooms that can evolve with their needs, and no longer wish to feel cramped or stifled in small apartments. As they start to think about starting or expanding families, more square footage and flexibility are big benefits of the suburbs.

Nature/ Outdoor Space: New York is nicknamed the ‘concrete jungle’ for a reason. Limited outdoor space was a problem for many during the pandemic. The suburbs offer more opportunities for personal outdoor space and activities outside. Parks, beaches, and nature trails became favorite activities for people escaping the city and remain a priority for individuals seeking a healthy and active lifestyle. The accessibility to nature in the suburbs is incomparable to living in a city.

Healthier Lifestyle: Aside from having access to more outdoor activities, living in the suburbs brings you away from the heavy pollution (including noise!) of the city. Moving into a house, means you no longer have to be concerned about waking up to your noisy upstairs neighbor and honking cars or that you have to live with the air pollution of a dense city.

Remote Work: In many industries, being in the office five days a week was a requirement. Having a short commute was essential for these workers. Now that remote work has become more acceptable in many companies, individuals are willing to move farther away from the office. Even semi-remote workers are happy to endure a longer commute twice a week to enjoy the perks the suburbs have to offer. The mindset shift of personal happiness and work-life balance caused many to rethink why they were living in a city.

Accessible communities: Individuals living in the city can have a hard time imagining that there is any community or social activities in the suburbs. The New York City suburbs are full of towns with restaurants, social activities, and groups that allow you to meet and build a new community. From country clubs to volunteer groups, art galleries/ museums to children’s play groups, it is easy to get involved and meet your neighbors and others living in town.

Proximity to the City: One of the best things about moving to the suburbs is that you will not be far from the city. Depending on where you move, you can be back in New York City within an hour or so. You do not have to give up everything you love about the city to move to the suburbs. It is a short train or car ride away and allows you to fully appreciate all that the city has to offer but still be able to enjoy your life in the suburbs.

Millennials and Gen Z have been slower to make changes that previous generations have made. In particular, starting families and buying homes. As the world changed over the past few years, the benefits of the suburbs became very evident and caused many people to reconsider and relocate.