The Return to Urban Living Why More People Are Moving Back to Cities

After years of suburban and rural migration during the pandemic, cities have been making a comeback in the past couple of years. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the percentage of people moving to cities has risen to 16%. While that may not sound like a big number to you, it is the highest level in a decade and thats a big deal (see graph below):

And data from BrightMLS seems to confirm this trend. In a recent survey, 1 in 5 (20.6%) people looking to buy say they want to live in the city.

So, whats behind this ongoing shift back to urban living? Lets break down the top three reasons why people are trading quiet suburbs for bustling cityscapes. You may find out you want to sell your house with a big yard and move to an urban oasis, too.

1. Vibrant Culture

Cities have always been hubs of culture, entertainment, and community. Theyre packed with energy and there are always endless things to do. During the pandemic, a lot of that excitement was put on pause. But the last couple of years? Cities are buzzing again.

Theres nothing quite like being able to walk to your favorite coffee shop, pop into a local gallery, see a live concert or show, or grab a last-minute dinner at a great spot down the street. Its a lifestyle thats easy to love and one a lot of people want today.

2. Being Close to Work

Remote work is still a thing, but most companies are moving to hybrid schedules or even bringing employees back to the office. That makes living closer to work way more convenient. Whether its cutting down a long commute or having more chances to network in person, being close to the office is a big plus especially for industries that thrive on face-to-face connections.

3. Easy Access To Everything You Need or Want

One of the best things about living in a city? The convenience. Public transportation, top-notch healthcare, and so much more are all within easy reach. For a lot of people, having everything nearby just makes life easier and its a big reason theyre drawn to urban living.

What To Do If You Want To Move To the City

Let's say you moved to a suburban area during the pandemic and youre missing the excitement of living right off city streets. Youre probably thinking: how can I afford to move back into the heart of things with how mortgage rates and home prices are? Heres how other people are doing it.

According to data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), home values have gone up by 57.4% in the last 5 years alone. And that means your house is probably going to sell for more than you bought it for.

If you already own a home in the suburbs, you may be able to sell that house and use the equity you get back to fuel your move. Sure, you may have to compromise and be happy with a smaller, urban space but if its the lifestyle youre craving that trade-off is going to be worth it. To find out whats possible and what it costs to live in an urban area, lean on a local real estate professional.

Bottom Line

The urban renaissance is real. Whether its the vibrant culture, being close to work, or having easy access to everything you need, cities are once again calling and people are answering.

Whats your favorite thing about life in the city?

Connect with an agent to find a home you love where all the hustle and bustle makes life a bit more exciting.

Venessa James - Broker Associate    

ABR, ALHS, CHMS, MCNE, LUXE, SFR, SRS  

Platinum Experience Group - KW Professionals 

(281) 889-8292 platinumexperiencegroup.com

Integrity, Experience, Results