10 Reasons to Quit the 'Burbs
Ahh, the leafy, green suburbs: a quiet haven of calm and tranquility. But what happens when calm turns into. . . snoozetown?
Sounds like it's time to trade in the sleepy 'burbs for a shot of dynamic city living. It's a choice that more and more Baby Boomers are making as they enter their golden years, and it's not hard to work out why: From cultural opportunities and culinary hotspots to the chance to be close to grandkids, the siren call of urban life isn't just for twenty-somethings anymore.
1. Amenities are close at hand: Whether you need to drop off clothes at the dry cleaner, pick up prescriptions, or simply grab a perfectly frothed latte in the morning, you don't have to set aside an hour in the car to hit all your errands. Simply step out your door and head down the block — how's that for a change of scenery?
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2. Downsize with style: Downsizing can be an upgrade. Sound paradoxical? It isn't when you consider that you can trade in your musty attic, leaking roof, and two extra bedrooms for a sleek and stylish urban loft. It can also be a literal upgrade — did we mention the potential for high-rise views?
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3. Welcome to culinary heaven: Let's face it: The suburbs are rarely culinary hotspots. (The new pretzel stand at the mall isn't exactly Zagats-worthy.) Solution: the city cuisine scene. From Michelin-starred gastronomy to Asian-fusion food trucks, there are as many restaurants per square mile as there are gyms ATMs.
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4. Never be bored again: Whether you love nothing more than a trip to the opera or are a voracious bibliophile seeking a book club, the city is so full of cultural activities that you'll never have to settle for a night in front of the TV again. Unless it's your turn to host the weekly Downton Abbey viewing party. Then, by all means.
Photo courtesy of Kate Joanna/iStock/Thinkstock
5. No more seasonal worries: Snow may look magical, but when it's clean-up time, you can take that shovel and shove it. Ditto with the trouble that goes into maintaining a pretty green lawn or raking autumnal leaves. Let the building owners cope with those problems while you tend to the fresh herbs and bright flowers in your window boxes.
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6. Discounts, discounts, discounts: Want to spend your morning catching a matinee, followed by an evening at the theatre? Going to use public transportation both ways? Your whole day's coming at a price drop, thanks to discounted tickets that favor the over-50 set. Wisdom isn't the only thing that comes with age.
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7. Get around town with ease: Speaking of public transportation: it's one of the biggest bonuses of city living. Get rid of your car and take to the streets by bus, subway, Zipcar, or bike share. Skip the monthly car payment and still have transit that's speedy, cost-effective, and more environmentally friendly.
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8. Enjoy the neighborhood: In the suburbs, houses occupy vast islands of green, isolated from nearby neighbors. But in the city, you're surrounded by a whole community within easy access. Don't be scared about engaging in a little elevator or sidewalk chat; you just might be sharing a floor with kindred spirits.
Photo courtesy of Creativemarc/iStock/Thinkstock
9. Entertain grandkids of any age: There isn’t always a lot for plugged-in kids to do in the suburbs. But in the city? From zoos to sports games, shopping trips to lunches out, there's a whole range of things to do when the grandkids are in town. Who knows — they might just stop by to visit more often.
Photo courtesy of Chad Mcdermott/Hemera/Thinkstock
10. Stay nimble: Baby Boomers have always been a creative bunch who aren't afraid to bend the rules, and that's extending to retirement. Instead of holing up in Florida, Boomers are working part-time, volunteering, pursuing creative projects, and proving themselves to be lifetime learners. Where better to do all that than smack in the middle of a city? That's what we thought.
Photo courtesy of Jose Antonio Sanchez Reyes/Hemera/Thinkstock
1. Amenities are close at hand: Whether you need to drop off clothes at the dry cleaner, pick up prescriptions, or simply grab a perfectly frothed latte in the morning, you don't have to set aside an hour in the car to hit all your errands. Simply step out your door and head down the block — how's that for a change of scenery?
Photo courtesy of funstock/iStock/Thinkstock
2. Downsize with style: Downsizing can be an upgrade. Sound paradoxical? It isn't when you consider that you can trade in your musty attic, leaking roof, and two extra bedrooms for a sleek and stylish urban loft. It can also be a literal upgrade — did we mention the potential for high-rise views?
Photo courtesy of Digital Vision/Photodisc/Thinkstock
3. Welcome to culinary heaven: Let's face it: The suburbs are rarely culinary hotspots. (The new pretzel stand at the mall isn't exactly Zagats-worthy.) Solution: the city cuisine scene. From Michelin-starred gastronomy to Asian-fusion food trucks, there are as many restaurants per square mile as there are gyms ATMs.
Photo courtesy of senky/iStock/Thinkstock
4. Never be bored again: Whether you love nothing more than a trip to the opera or are a voracious bibliophile seeking a book club, the city is so full of cultural activities that you'll never have to settle for a night in front of the TV again. Unless it's your turn to host the weekly Downton Abbey viewing party. Then, by all means.
Photo courtesy of Kate Joanna/iStock/Thinkstock
5. No more seasonal worries: Snow may look magical, but when it's clean-up time, you can take that shovel and shove it. Ditto with the trouble that goes into maintaining a pretty green lawn or raking autumnal leaves. Let the building owners cope with those problems while you tend to the fresh herbs and bright flowers in your window boxes.
Photo courtesy of PeJo129/iStock/Thinkstock
6. Discounts, discounts, discounts: Want to spend your morning catching a matinee, followed by an evening at the theatre? Going to use public transportation both ways? Your whole day's coming at a price drop, thanks to discounted tickets that favor the over-50 set. Wisdom isn't the only thing that comes with age.
Photo courtesy of jdwfoto/iStock/Thinkstock
7. Get around town with ease: Speaking of public transportation: it's one of the biggest bonuses of city living. Get rid of your car and take to the streets by bus, subway, Zipcar, or bike share. Skip the monthly car payment and still have transit that's speedy, cost-effective, and more environmentally friendly.
Photo courtesy of Fuse/Thinkstock
8. Enjoy the neighborhood: In the suburbs, houses occupy vast islands of green, isolated from nearby neighbors. But in the city, you're surrounded by a whole community within easy access. Don't be scared about engaging in a little elevator or sidewalk chat; you just might be sharing a floor with kindred spirits.
Photo courtesy of Creativemarc/iStock/Thinkstock
9. Entertain grandkids of any age: There isn’t always a lot for plugged-in kids to do in the suburbs. But in the city? From zoos to sports games, shopping trips to lunches out, there's a whole range of things to do when the grandkids are in town. Who knows — they might just stop by to visit more often.
Photo courtesy of Chad Mcdermott/Hemera/Thinkstock
10. Stay nimble: Baby Boomers have always been a creative bunch who aren't afraid to bend the rules, and that's extending to retirement. Instead of holing up in Florida, Boomers are working part-time, volunteering, pursuing creative projects, and proving themselves to be lifetime learners. Where better to do all that than smack in the middle of a city? That's what we thought.
Photo courtesy of Jose Antonio Sanchez Reyes/Hemera/Thinkstock
