I'm a Real Estate Agent: Here's Why All of My Clients Are Moving Back to the Suburbs
The city-to-suburbs pipeline may not be new, but it's once again picking up speed. The U.S. Census Bureau recently found that even in metro areas seeing the biggest population booms, most of that growth is happening in the suburbs and exurbs (areas even further out).
This isn't a fresh phenomenon, either. The Pew Research Center clocked the shift back in 2021, when 46% of people said they preferred suburban living versus 19% who wanted city life, and the suburban lead has only grown since.
Read Next: Most Undervalued Housing Markets Right Now, According to Realtors
For You: 7 Low-Effort Ways To Make Passive Income (You Can Start This Week)
The numbers make one thing clear: this isn't a passing preference. We talked to real estate agents who are seeing the migration firsthand and asked them why their clients keep heading for the cul-de-sacs. Here's what they had to say.
The Desire for Larger Homes and More Space
Just this year, the Pew Research Center put out another report showing that 55% of people prefer communities with larger homes that are spaced further apart. This tracks with what the pros have seen, especially when paired with lower costs for what you’re getting.
“The two main reasons for people to move are still space and cost efficiency,” said Ryan Fitzgerald, a real estate broker and owner of Raleigh Realty. “Buyers often discover they can obtain a full extra bedroom, a dedicated office or even a yard for the same monthly payment as a smaller urban condo.”
Consider it from a price-per-square-foot perspective. Suburban homes in the largest 10 metros are about 24.2% less expensive (on average) than urban ones, according to Hannah Jones, economic analyst at Realtor.com. That's a significant price gap, and for a lot of buyers, it's the tipping point.
Licensed real estate agent and owner at Resort Real Estate Inc., Natalia Bassova added, “People now want a home that supports the way they actually live, not just where they work, and that means choosing a quieter place where they can enjoy more space, more comfort and more time outdoors."
In her experience, many of the buyers she’s worked with used to live in busy, crowded areas but were inspired to make the move to the suburbs after reaching what she called "a breaking point" — the moment cramped square footage and city noise stop feeling like a trade-off worth making.
Commutes Matter a Little Less
Interestingly, that same Pew Research Center report found that Gen Z actually leans toward walkable communities over spread-out ones. But "walkable" doesn't have to mean walkable to work. It just means walkable to the stuff that matters, like coffee, groceries and a decent gym.
“Models of remote and/or hybrid work have ... upended the traditional definition of ‘commute tolerance’ that, in the past, so strictly limited where results-driven talent would consider working based on their distance from a downtown office,” said Fitzgerald.
In other words, if you're not commuting five days a week, the daily grind matters a lot less, and the suburbs suddenly look a lot more appealing.
Family and Safety Matter a Little More
For older Gen Z and millennials, the pull toward the suburbs often comes down to one thing: kids.
"I see this most often with younger clients who enjoyed their time in the city after college, but now that children are in the picture their priorities change,” said Cody Friesz, Associate Broker/Realtor for Trueblood Real Estate. “Schooling, safety and a stronger community become more important to them."
When it's just you and a group chat full of brunch plans, the city wins. But once there's a stroller involved, good schools and a quiet street start to outweigh nightlife and takeout options.
There’s a Little More Predictability
Fitzgerald also pointed to predictability as a major, if less obvious, draw.
“Suburban neighborhoods tend to be more stable in terms of local development patterns and household turnover,” he said.
For buyers who've had enough of the city's constant flux, that kind of consistency isn't boring. It's the whole appeal.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
More From MoneyLion: