HI--as people who enjoy travel, have any of you thought of--or followed through on--a change in your lives, where you gave up a suburban life in favor of a city one? For many people vacationing in the city means being close to, ie no car necessary, movie theaters, restaurants, and/or cultural venues.

Have any of you actually made a change to live in this way? And if you did, or are only thinking about it, what are the pros and cons from your perspectives. I would like to tap the aggregate wisdom of this board for some input. Thanks!!

I have always lived a "city life" for the reasons you mention and more. I can't imagine living in the suburbs.

I lived in the city when I was younger and loved it. But I believe it is SO much easier to raise kids in the suburbs. I could never live far away from a major city, b/c I enjoy the amenities too much (major airport, art museums, great restaurants, used book stores, NBA games and DIVERSITY). But I don't know if I could ever move back downtown, b/c of the safety issue. I feel very safe where I live right now, and I don't know if I could ever give up that feeling.

Also, in the suburbs, taxes are cheaper, car insurance is cheaper, my trash gets picked up on time, I call the township office and they actually answer the phone - you get the idea.

I guess it depends on the city. Unlike karens, here in Boston I found the property taxes lower and trash pickup better in the city.

I'm just not a city girl, so I can't imagine myself living in the downtown of a major city. However, I have been thinking about moving closer to the city center of my town.

I live in a suburb, but it's a diverse suburb with a small town atmosphere, plenty of mom and pop stores, independent restaurants, and services all within a very walkable core. If I go into the city(Seattle), it's because of want and not need and it's only 25 minutes away by express bus.

I live on the outskirts of my town and don't have or need a car, but if I moved in closer to the center, I wouldn't need the bus much either.

Did both and for long periods of time. Actually had an apartment across from the Art Institute in my hands. Did a trial run. After 4 weeks solid, I was out of there. Too much density and too little community and personal interaction for me. Not saying that it isn't possible, but far more complex and difficult.

Bought a second home very rural on a lake that I will retire to before another decade is out. Absolutely love city life for all the above mentioned aspects, especially when childless or without deep community/ family attachments. Not saying that it is impossible to have them there. But, it is very costly by me and two incomes are needed at all times; the relatives I know who are living this, barely see their own children.

Although the "new" person in my rural area, I am already part of the community. Downtown you are nameless after years of participation in endless number of venues. The people don't even remember the condo association person's name.

Suburbs may not always be this "friendlier more personal" way either, but it is much more geared for family/ children activity and associated issues-and also, quite frankly, they are not "artless" as some so often assume.

Seems like there are a few misconceptions about city life. My property takes in Brooklyn are MUCH less than if I lived in a NYC suburb. Car insurance? I don't think there's much difference but I don't own or really need a car. Trash pickup? Who the heck worries about that in the city? I drop it down the chute and the building takes care of it.

Other great things about the city - going out to bars and not worrying about driving home (take cab or subway), never having to cook or do yardwork or serious home repairs. Besides the cultural aspects of living in a big city, it's just a much simpler way to live. Also - proximity to large international airports is a bonus!

I'm not sure you can make the type of generalizations people are making here-it depends on which city and which suburb. For example, here in my city (Seattle) I have wonderful neighbors and a wonderful sense of community (our block has monthly get togethers, not to mention the annual neighborhood events like the garage sales, kiddie parade, beer tasting, etc) while growing up in the suburbs, everyone hid behind their 6' fence and never interacted (we drove everywhere, never walked, so there was no chance to interact in that way, either).

Even within a single city or suburb, neighborhoods have different characters. You may get better answers by asking about the particular city you are thinking about.

I agree with Christy - too many generalizations. I've lived in both city and suburbs. Minimizing commute time to work and cost of living have dictated the areas we have chosen to live. We have never had the luxury of choosing an area to live just because we like it, without regard to commute and cost.

Lived on the UWS of Manhattan and Brooklyn before moving to the suburbs and there's a lot to be said for both, but with kids I prefer the suburbs. In Brooklyn it was nice to be able to get everything you need (butcher, liquor store, etc.) between the subway station and my apartment, but it's nice to go grocery shopping with a car instead of the old granny wagon!

I grew up in the suburbs - but have lived in the city ever since college.

I can;t imagine ever living in the suburbs again. Its a good place to bring up children if you can't afford to do so in the city - but otherwise I can;t imagine making all the sacrificies necesssary in leaving the city.

I guess it depends on the city, but I can't imagine raising children in a downtown area. Where I live (Ohio) it is MUCH more expensive to live in a nice suburb it is in cities. I suppose it matters what you value. I couldn't care less about being able to walk home from bars!! I think living in a suburb outside a city is nice - you aren't far from the culture/arts/sporting events but your kids can ride bikes and play outside with relatively little worries. Personally, I loved the brief time I spent in a rural setting, but I think my kids are better off in a neighborhood atmosphere.

Grocery shopping? What's that? Times have changed here in NYC - we (I & everyone I know) order all our food online from FreshDirect and have it delivered. Cheaper and better quality than the supermarkets, too.

I agree--there are suburbs and then there are suburbs, big cities and medium ones.

We are about to move from a suburb to a city center, but, like Christy's, our "suburb" has a walkable core and a small shopping area with a great coffee shop, a small bookstore, and other amenities. And we're only a 45 min drive from Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The area we're relocating to has genuine suburbs--no core, few sidewalks, gated communities that make me feel I may as well be on Mars, plus congested arteries to downtown. That's why we decided to spend more $$ for less square footage and live downtown. We'll be able to walk to movies and restaurants, have a very short commute, and be near museums and arenas.

That said, we are open to the possibility of moving to one of those suburbs if the city experiment doesn't work out. Maybe we'll want more space, maybe the noise will bother us--or not. Stay tuned...

It really depends on which city and its surrounding suburbs. If you are talking about your (north) East Coast cities, I think it would not only be easier, but fun. Why? Terrific public transporation. When I visited Boston, I could not imagine why anyone would have a car - the T was just so easy!

However, the closest city I live next to is Los Angeles. And no, I would not live downtown on a bet. One cannot live even in anywhere in LA without a car, or they are subject to a rather sketchy public transportation system, and that makes living in the city very not good.

So, for me, my only real option for a life that is fulfilling is in the suburbs.

Oh, and I really hate to be the one to reveal this, but I am close to an international airport. Actually, I'm close to 4 major airports, 2 of which are international, so my travel options are not limited.

It looks like this is going to degenerate into some awful Green Acres-type argument. To each his own. Whether you live in a city or suburb, one is never inherently better or worse than the other. All depends on the person.

I live in the suburbs of Chicago.

Last weekend I was in the city for a soccer tournament with my son. I am often amazed at the people who live there. Hard to find a grocery store or a parking spot and the price of real estate is silly (as is mine in suburban terms). Perhaps it is just my mid 40's age thing, I don't see it.

I guess if you work in the city and do not have a car, it's fine. I think that living in the city is a young person thing.

I think the word 'suburbs' can mean so many different things. I live in a suburb that was once a small town before it was absorbed into the larger metro area. We live within walking distance of the old downtown, which is still going strong, with small stores and restaurants. Our house is older (50+ years), and not as big as most new suburban homes, but our yard is much bigger than most new subdivisions. We're actually considered a close-in area now, about 20 min from the city.

As someone who has just moved from an urban area (Hoboken) to the surburbs, I think the answer depends on where you place your priorities and where you are in life.

It's hard for me to justify staying in the city that has great restaurants and nightlife when my children can go to a school ranked near the top of the state.

As for us, I don't know if the answer was as simple as adding up the pro's versus the cons as much as it was about weighing the relative merits of the pro's.

As karens said, it is so much easier to raise children in the suburbs. (I hope.)

But, for a single person or DINKS, I can't fathom the benefits of suburban life versus the appeal of the city.

That is true, the city / suburban designation is too wide and cities too different in size and distances to generalize definitively.

But saying this, I have lived downtown and in Chicago proper for more than 20 years- and will never go back. Visits are great, but not to live. Too much density, regardless of the neighborhood. I love nature and my own space to garden and more. Could never afford that kind of space there. And it is not a city where public transportation is available to all other parts. Everyone I know there, even downtown-livers, owns a car. One leaves it in the "burbs" and takes a train to it when needed.

There are suburbs here that are like cities elsewhere, also. With their own downtowns and assorted niceities. With populations of 60,000 to 110,000 per suburb. My entire county in Michigan has about that many people.