Where do you draw the line between suburban and exurban? (live, shopping mall)

[Borntoolate85]

Recently, there was a similarly named thread between the border between urban and suburban development right here:

//www.city-data.com/forum/gener...e-between.html

This time, let's take it a step further with the next layer out, since IMO exurban development implies completely auto-dependent development as opposed to suburban development, where a few, but not all basic needs are often accomplished in walking distance. Think acre+ residential development along with a few small strip malls, little or no multi-family housing, and the largest retail development usually a factory outlet center as opposed to a traditional shopping mall and near exits/major intersections off a major highway. Also, the lack of mass transit options is another indicator, with the exception of an isolated bus line or commuter rail station that would require quite a drive just to reach. Basically, the true "bedroom communities", although a small satellite town may also be included. Also, think of the line as the point where there is a sudden jump in traffic on highways as congestion is a rarity in exurban areas.

So, I'll provide links to four types of development, and discuss if you consider it suburban or just exurban. Unlike the previous thread which was all in Queens, this will have one link per region of the US:


https://www.google.com/maps/@40.0537...7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.1060...7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.6451...7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.7893...7i13312!8i6656

[geographybee]

1 and 2 suburban. 3 and 4 exurban.

[gladhands]

Exurban is determined more by distance from the core than built form. If you’re an hour outside the city, you’re in an exurb, satellite city or suburb of the satellite city.

[geographybee]

Originally Posted by gladhands

Exurban is determined more by distance from the core than built form. If you’re an hour outside the city, you’re in an exurb, satellite city or suburb of the satellite city.

That is completely wrong. Many people live an hour outside the city in suburbs of the core city. No satellite cities, not exurban, they are suburbs an hour (or more) from the city. Where does your comment even come from????

An hour commute into the core from the suburbs is extremely short. You are considered very lucky if that is your commute.

[gladhands]

Originally Posted by geographybee

That is completely wrong. Many people live an hour outside the city in suburbs of the core city. No satellite cities, not exurban, they are suburbs an hour (or more) from the city. Where does your comment even come from????

An hour commute into the core from the suburbs is extremely short. You are considered very lucky if that is your commute.

Simmer down. An hour outside of the city is exurbs. An hour drive can get you from DC to Baltimore, Boston to Providence, Austin to San Antonio or Buffalo to Toronto.

[geographybee]

Originally Posted by gladhands

Simmer down. An hour outside of the city is exurbs. An hour drive can get you from DC to Baltimore, Boston to Providence, Austin to San Antonio or Buffalo to Toronto.

No, it’s not! Not in New York or LA. You cannot generalize like that. In some cities, you are in the country and others you are in the heart of the suburbs. Also, with traffic, it could be an hour to go five miles in any of these cities.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by gladhands

Simmer down. An hour outside of the city is exurbs. An hour drive can get you from DC to Baltimore, Boston to Providence, Austin to San Antonio or Buffalo to Toronto.

Not in Chicago either. Obviously larger metro areas have a greater swath of suburbia than smaller metros.

[gladhands]

Originally Posted by oakparkdude

Not in Chicago either. Obviously larger metro areas have a greater swath of suburbia than smaller metros.

An hour outside Chicago would put you firmly in the exurbs or satellite cities. We’re talking Elgin and Kenosha...far fringes of the MSA.

[the resident09]

Prince William County, Va.

[geographybee]

Originally Posted by oakparkdude

Not in Chicago either. Obviously larger metro areas have a greater swath of suburbia than smaller metros.

Yeah, exactly. Even Boston you can still be in the suburbs. Or SF and definitely Miami. I consider an hour outside of the core to be suburban, even close-in suburban. An hour commute to the urban core is enviable for most suburbanites.