For some, there’s simply no other place worth calling home. For others, the joys of living in the world’s most beloved metropolis may wane. New York City might be the center of the universe, but perhaps you’re seeking a home a little more off the beaten path. Before packing your bags and leaving it all behind, consult our pros and cons list to make sure you won’t regret bidding this urban bubble adieu.

Pros

1.     More Elbow Room- If you’re thinking of leaving the city, chances are you’re looking for a little more space to breathe. With the less expensive rent of the suburbs, you’ll likely be able to afford the spacious living accommodations you seek. Living in a house can also offer you a privacy that doesn’t feel possible when you’re sharing your address with approximately fifty strangers.

2.     A City that Actually Sleeps- Tired of hearing your upstairs neighbor’s kids dribble basketballs at all hours? Sick of police sirens and the incessant drilling of construction workers? The ‘burbs’ might offer the peace, quiet, and sanity you seek.

3.     Sitcom-Family Style Home- Thinking of adding a few members to your clan? Perhaps the little tykes may want their own room, a swing set, and some grass to play in besides Central Park. Living outside the city can offer that picturesque childhood filled with backyards and hopscotch, rather than elevators and doormen.

4.     A Little “Me” Time- Granted, you might be surrounded by people on your commute to work, but chance are, they don’t want to talk to you either. This means an extra hour or two to catch up on sleep, or your old college reading list. Maybe you’ll finally get to learn exactly what your English teacher was saying about that Virginia Wolf novel…

5.     You’ll Be in Appliance Heaven- Finally, you can do your own laundry with your in-house washer and dryer. Voila, ten bucks a week saved! Also, don’t forget about that shiny dishwasher.  Hurray, no more chipped nail polish from hand-washing!

6.     You Can Finally Buy Milk by the Gallon- Kiss those days of carrying all your groceries home goodbye. You can throw one-stop grocery stores into the mix as well. No more excuses for greasy Chinese takeout, or midnight pizza! Wait, that might be a con…

Toss-Up

1. No More Urban Hiking- Your days of walking everywhere are over. Finally, your poor, blistered feet can get a long overdue break. That said, it also means the end of your free obligatory workout, and, consequentially, your excuse to buy a chocolate-chip muffin every morning.

Cons:

1. You Live in the Suburbs, but Your Life's Still In the City- Commuting into the city will affect every aspect of your life. Some things to consider:

• Public Transportation is Like a Bad Blind Date: It is often sketchy, and notoriously unreliable. Once you’ve accounted for delays and those missed connecting trains, a commute can feel like an epic journey. If your train is actually on time, you somehow always get stuck next to the guy smacking on popcorn, and/or talking to himself. 
• Bedtime Just Became the New Dinnertime- Take your commute into consideration. If you think you’re leaving the city to find a better quality of life, check the clock. A two-hour commute each way, practically speaking, means breakfast in the morning, dinner at night, and not much more time to be a happy homebody. Reality can be mean. 
• Death By Gridlock: If you tend to be impatient, commuting might bring you to your boiling point. Surviving morning traffic with your sanity intact requires the tranquility of a Zen-master. Why do you think taxi drivers are so scary?
• Dollars and Sense- Think you can beat the system by driving to work every day? Chances are, between gas prices and tolls, you might just be spending all that money you thought you could save on rent. Map out your path, and make sure you’re not throwing your money off the Manhattan Bridge.  
• Happy Hour Just Got a Little Messier- If all your friends are still kicking it in the city, getting together for drinks after work inevitably means missing the express, rush-hour train that can shuttle you home in record time. Perhaps after a few margaritas, all those local stops might be a little more bearable.
   

2. Your Taste-Buds Will Notice- Let’s face it: the food from New York City will never taste as great anywhere else. There’s no flavor like New York City.

3. Think More “Disney World,” Less “Bright Lights, Big City”-Few places can keep up with the hip, youthful vibe of New York City. Expect to encounter a more family-dominated environment in the suburbs. So, yes, less nightlife, and indeed, more restaurants littered with high chairs and crayons. If you suspect you may be a city snob, a dinner out at your local suburban restaurant may be grating.

4. The Grass Might Not Be Greener… when you have to mow your own lawn. Be prepared to maintain your home and property, and arrange all your own repairs. Time to take your super off the old speed-dial.

This perennial struggle for those who love the thrill of the city, but want a backyard to call their own is not easily reconciled. Weigh the costs and benefits of waving goodbye to your well-worn studio apartment. If the thought of living anywhere but the Big Apple makes you cringe, come to peace with the sky-high rent, and even higher noise pollution. If you’re willing to part with your local independent coffee shop and sky-line view for the quiet calm of the suburbs, don’t worry—there will be a young aspiring artist willing to rent your apartment.ur groups wearing matching t-shirts. It’s no surprise then, the question arises for every New Yorker: why do I put up with it?