Is Living in the City Right For You?

I was a junior in college when I first moved to Chicago. Bright eyed, bushy tailed, and with my parents paying my rent (those really were the good ole days), I embarked on what would be an eight year journey of living in the city. When I finally retired to the suburbs in 2023 it was with both trepidation and relief. Today I enjoy the quiet nature of the ‘burbs, but I remember my city days fondly.

There are many exceptional things about living in the city, among them a diversity of culture and experience that you can’t quite find anywhere else. But for some, it never really feels like home. It’s hard to know which way the pendulum will swing until you actually dive in, but there are some questions you can ask yourself ahead of time to help settle your own suburban vs. urban debate. Here are 6 of them.

How much personal space do you need?

Can you live with a roommate?

How good are your street smarts?

Can you handle a little bit of mess?

If you have a pet, how do you think they’d do in the city?

How important is peace and quiet to you?

All of this being said, there are so many reasons that cities are wonderful places to live. Living in the city opens your mind and teaches you important lessons about the world. You’re never short on things to do or people to meet or opportunities for new experiences. But if the above questions made you second guess whether you’re really cut out for urban life, there’s no shame in declaring you’re happier in the country or suburbs.