Millennials often get mistaken as young urban dwellers with a disdain for contemporary capitalism. Then again, some of these youths are starting to move into the suburbs. In droves.
In a report published by The New York Times, it looked at the latest Census Bureau Statistics to see if the migration to the suburbs is real. Among individuals aged 25 to 29 years old, it was found out that they are 25% more likely to move the suburbs than to the city.
More people find it convenient to go to the suburbs where houses are more affordable. With most of these housing units located in the outskirts of the city, it resulted in house prices low enough for the current generation to afford.
Factors like the need for a whole new environment with less monotony and, supposedly less pressure, have attracted a whole new generation to the appeal of living in the suburbs. Gone are the days when most fresh grads flock to the cities for better-paying jobs; now they are choosing to live the less stressful suburbia life.
Analyzing the factors that are making suburban living attractive to some of these individuals reminds urban planners of what made life in a subdivision appealing to the same demographic a generation ago:
- A parking lot;
- A mowed lawn for the kids and their pet dog to frolic around and play;
- Parks with tall trees to jog around for fresh air; and
- A clubhouse that made it easy for community organizers to gather people for various events.
Not all of these homes have a parking lots, of course. And not ever community has community centers, but the plant-to-pavement ratio is much higher than that found in cities.
Having less pavement in the suburbs used to mean a less urbanized infrastructure that was once synonymous to less progress. No longer.