Moving to the city for work: Pros and cons

Every year there are people who move to the city to be closer to their place of work, for a change of scenery, or to save money on transportation. And although moving to the city can do a lot to help you maintain a healthy balance at work, it has its drawbacks as well. We look at the pros and cons of moving to the city for work—it might help you make up your mind.

What you get by moving to the city for work

Time, as they say these days, is money. And moving to the city sure does cut down on the cost of your trips to work. You get to work on time and get home sooner, so you have more time to spend with your family. With a shorter commute you’ll also have a lot more free time, and that can improve your mood and make you more confident on the job.

There’s a good chance you’ll meet new people if you move to the city. And not just at work! If you live in a big building, you’ll probably make new acquaintances there. You’re sure to hit it off with some of the people who share your commute.

The public markets and restaurants in the city have food options for every taste. There’s a style and cuisine for whatever strikes anyone’s fancy. If you’re a true-blue foodie, moving to town puts you within tasting distance of all the options pretty much anytime.

Unexpected breaks during work hours aren’t such a drag anymore when you can drop into a tasty restaurant or that little shop around the corner. You can even hang out with friends on your breaks—some are bound to live or work nearby. Work breaks in general are a lot more fun when you’re close to all the main attractions. Because the city never sleeps, there’s always something going on. And when you live in town, there’s no long road home to worry about afterwards. In a nutshell, your social life will be much more active when you live in town.

You might be able to get better Internet and TV service than you could in the suburbs. The first thing that might surprise you after you move is the variety of service providers you have in town. Cities are known for having the best Internet service providers. In your suburb, Internet services are likely to be more limited and pricier than in town.

If you move closer to work and have a shorter commute, your home insurance premiums will change.

What you lose when you move

If you move to town for work, be ready to face a lot more traffic than you did in the suburbs. You may find even ordinary tasks like grocery shopping delayed because of traffic. And you might not enjoy listening to that traffic either, if you rent an apartment in the heart of downtown. You’ll wake up every morning to a fanfare of car horns and buses. The noise can keep you up weeknights—and even on weekends!

Air quality is something to consider before moving to the city. City air just isn’t quite as fresh as the suburban variety. No great mystery there: there are tons of cars, buses, and trucks rolling around town all the time. Air conditioners and other systems also spew foul gases. And those gases turn up the heat in the city, too, compared to the suburbs.

In the city, you’re never far from the roar of buses and cars. Your neighbours are closer than in the suburbs, so you’re much more likely to hear them. That can put a strain on relationships with your neighbours. Add to this any construction noise.

Moving from a big house in the country to a small apartment in town can be a strain. You may well end up with no more than a bedroom and kitchen, without even a living room. You’ll probably need a storage unit for your extra furniture.

Parking in town is a nightmare. Parking signs can be confusing, with surprise parking tickets the punishment for getting it wrong. At times you’ll find yourself driving in circles for ages before a spot finally appears. And forget about free parking—it’s vanishingly rare. Also, be sure your parallel parking skills are up to scratch: you’ll be doing a lot of it.

Crime rates tend to be higher in cities, since having so many people living close together attracts thieves. Mainly it’s simple: more people equals more crime. Don’t be too worried about it though. Crime can occur anywhere, even in the country.

There’s an upside and a downside to any move, to the city or anywhere else. You’ll get more restaurant options, but maybe less sleep because of the noise. You’ll be closer to your job, but you might get stuck in traffic on the way there. The decision really comes down to your lifestyle. If you decide to make the transition to city living, be sure get the best movers and insure your new home with Promutuel Insurance. Your move will be much less stressful if you do!