Do millennials prefer city living to suburban living? (state, rating, cost)

[ColdAilment]

I keep hearing about this great migration BACK to the cities, how younger people aren't trying to follow in the footsteps of their parents and get a big house with a big yard in the burbs or a nice subdivision. Has this been pretty near the truth from your experience?

I just recently bought a house, and newer and larger suburban homes did not appeal to me as much as I thought they would. I opted for an older home closer to the city.

My top reasons were:
- walkability
- charm/character of an older neighborhoods
- quicker access to amenities and shopping
- smaller yard to mow and care for

[SmartMoney]

Observations:

Yes, millennials are migrating back to the urban areas, walkability and proximity to employment being a priority.

Once millennials marry and commence reproducing, 50%+ migrate back to the burbs for the first child, and about 85% when the 2nd child comes along.

[mkarch]

Originally Posted by SmartMoney

Observations:

Yes, millennials are migrating back to the urban areas, walkability and proximity to employment being a priority.

Once millennials marry and commence reproducing, 50%+ migrate back to the burbs for the first child, and about 85% when the 2nd child comes along.

There's a limited number of houses available in urban areas. At least those areas people with children want to live in.

[399083453]

Nothing new......

Young people move to cities for jobs and entertainment, when they have kids they move out of the city. Just like every generation before them.

[SmartMoney]

Originally Posted by mkarch

There's a limited number of houses available in urban areas. At least those areas people with children want to live in.

I live in the Washington, DC market where the suburbs keep expanding further and further out. A commute of an hour plus is pretty standard around here......some, actually many, even longer. More and more frequently, the move involves one spouse putting their career on hold to raise the children and going to one income after the purchase of the home.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by SmartMoney

Observations:

Yes, millennials are migrating back to the urban areas, walkability and proximity to employment being a priority.

Once millennials marry and commence reproducing, 50%+ migrate back to the burbs for the first child, and about 85% when the 2nd child comes along.

Exactly what we are seeing here too, though the return to the suburbs may not be until the oldest child is about 4 and the parents start to consider the quality of schools. The commute then becomes less of an issue compared to the education of their children.

[Moby Hick]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

Exactly what we are seeing here too, though the return to the suburbs may not be until the oldest child is about 4 and the parents start to consider the quality of schools. The commute then becomes less of an issue compared to the education of their children.

Meh. Catholic elementary schools are a few thousand here. The cost is far less than the cost of my time for commuting. And far less if you figure you can get buy with one car instead of two because you live on bus lines or within a brief walk of most places.

[JR_C]

Originally Posted by 399083453

Nothing new......

Young people move to cities for jobs and entertainment, when they have kids they move out of the city. Just like every generation before them.

There must be something new. How would you explain the revitalization/gentrification of so many city neighborhoods over the last 10-20 years.

[399083453]

Originally Posted by JR_C

There must be something new. How would you explain the revitalization/gentrification of so many city neighborhoods over the last 10-20 years.

Real estate bubble is forcing crap neighborhoods to be renovated into nice neighborhoods.

[Mandalorian]

A lot of it is cyclical, those who grow up in the 'burbs and to try the city, they have their own kids and eventually move back.