By: FOXmls.com
Published: January 30, 2013
Journalist and ecologist Lakis Polycarpou recently penned a Polis blog article titled "Is it Time to Transcend the ‘Urban-Suburban' Divide?" An admitted city lover, he concluded that suburbia (at least today's suburbia) isn't so bad after all.
Then again, a recent article in Atlantic Cities spoke positively of the trend to urbanism, whereby homes in many walkable, centrally located neighborhoods have held or increased their value while that of their suburban cousins declined.
Across North America, experts are predicting a trend toward urban living sparked by immigration, economic factors, the increasing price of gasoline and "most of all" demographics, as the two largest demographic groups - baby boomers and millennials - appear to be driving the urban boom.
Some cities are welcoming the influx and making changes to make city living more appealing, including upgrading infrastructure and transit systems. However, the suburbs are changing, too, morphing from car-friendly cookie-cutter developments that excluded pedestrians and transit riders to today's suburbs that are anything but.
While many developers haven't lost their taste for McMansions, some innovative architects are designing smaller homes in town-like settings around greenspace. Targeted to appeal to downsizing boomers and millennials who don't want the expense or bother of big properties, this new suburbia competes with the "urbs."
Also competitive, new developments are arranged around golf courses, waterways and community centers - making them more livable. Even the auto is downplayed, thanks to bike paths and trails. Developments also include a mix of housing: Once the preserve of single-family homes, many suburbs now host the fastest-growing segment of the real estate market: multifamily housing.
Something to ponder. But for our confused home buyer, we point to a sentiment expressed recently by one real estate watcher: There's only one right answer, and it's whatever is best for you.
Then again, a recent article in Atlantic Cities spoke positively of the trend to urbanism, whereby homes in many walkable, centrally located neighborhoods have held or increased their value while that of their suburban cousins declined.Across North America, experts are predicting a trend toward urban living sparked by immigration, economic factors, the increasing price of gasoline and "most of all" demographics, as the two largest demographic groups - baby boomers and millennials - appear to be driving the urban boom.
Some cities are welcoming the influx and making changes to make city living more appealing, including upgrading infrastructure and transit systems. However, the suburbs are changing, too, morphing from car-friendly cookie-cutter developments that excluded pedestrians and transit riders to today's suburbs that are anything but.
While many developers haven't lost their taste for McMansions, some innovative architects are designing smaller homes in town-like settings around greenspace. Targeted to appeal to downsizing boomers and millennials who don't want the expense or bother of big properties, this new suburbia competes with the "urbs."
Also competitive, new developments are arranged around golf courses, waterways and community centers - making them more livable. Even the auto is downplayed, thanks to bike paths and trails. Developments also include a mix of housing: Once the preserve of single-family homes, many suburbs now host the fastest-growing segment of the real estate market: multifamily housing.
Something to ponder. But for our confused home buyer, we point to a sentiment expressed recently by one real estate watcher: There's only one right answer, and it's whatever is best for you.
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