3 Types of Communities (Rural, Urban, Suburban) Explained

 

Choosing where to live is a difficult decision.

There are so many options all over the world as well as different types of communities.

Each community type will give you a different feel and experience, and it is good to understand the differences between the three types of communities.

 

3 Types of Communities

 

The three types of communities are rural, urban, and suburban.

 

1. Rural

 

Rural communities are placed where the houses are spread very far apart.

Many people think of rural communities as farmland.

This is because, in most rural communities, people have quite a bit of property, and they can have many plants and animals on their property.

Rural communities still have towns, but they are generally smaller and don’t have as many buildings or workplaces.

One positive of a rural community is that you will most likely have quite a bit of nature around where you.

In a rural community, you will also be able to do more with your land.

If you like to grow plants or have a large garden, you can do so.

Sometimes in locations closer to cities, there is a homeowners’ association which keeps people from doing what they want with their own property.

This is not usually the case in a rural setting.

However, there are a few downsides to the rural community, the biggest of which is the distance you must travel to get places.

For some people living in rural communities, it could be twenty or even forty miles just to get to the grocery store.

Most people who live in areas like this get used to the process, and they learn how to plan accordingly.

For others, this can be a significant adjustment.

People who live in rural communities also need to think about schools and their distance to travel to get there.

Chances are there will not be as many options when it comes to private and charter schools, and the public schools could be far from your home.

As always, when buying a house in any community, it is essential to consider resale value.

If you purchase a home that you plan on selling in a few years, make sure you consider who else may want to live there.

Many people believe rural communities are cheaper to live in, but mostly they are just different.

If you want to purchase a home on the water in California or a home in the middle of Kansas on seventy acres, you may pay the same amount.

You will just get a much different home and a much different living experience.

A rural community will be a good choice for you if you like wide open spaces, lots of nature, and no neighbors peering in your windows!

 

2. Urban

 

Urban communities are located in cities.

These are areas where people live in very close proximity, and there is almost always something going on or noise of some kind.

Urban communities usually have access to all the latest and greatest things.

They have lots of resources for large numbers of people, and they have lots of housing options.

Most of the time, the urban housing options are going to be more like apartments and high-rise buildings as opposed to large ranches with lots of land.

You can get homes with property in urban areas, but it is rare because of all the development in the area.

If you like night life, things to do, and higher-paying jobs, the urban areas are a great place to consider.

Since there are more people, there are usually large companies and access to better jobs for people.

When it comes to schooling choices, urban areas also have lots of different school options for both private and public education.

You may even find some colleges that are located inside urban areas.

Typically speaking, if you need to get a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk, it will only take you a few minutes when living in an urban area.

Many people will have cars, but some will use public transportation or even walk to get the necessary things.

This is certainly not an option for the more rural areas.

Although most homes don’t have an outdoor space in an urban area, there are usually lots of community parks and gardens available.

People are starting to learn how to make urban areas more nature friendly, and you may even see some rooftop gardens in certain buildings.

Sometimes cities are going to be expensive to live in because of the convenience they offer as well as their access to good jobs.

This is not to say that there are no jobs in rural areas, but they are generally more spread out, and that makes them a bit harder to get.

 

3. Suburban

 

The suburban areas are the mix of the urban and rural.

With a suburban area, you are going to get many of the same conveniences a city has.

You will also get room to spread out and move around as well as a bit of nature.

Many communities across the world are built in suburban areas.

This allows people to travel into the city if they need to for work and then return to the suburbs at night and on the weekends.

In the suburbs, you usually see quieter streets with houses lining them.

There are parks, lots of schools, and generally some small towns as well.

The towns are mostly small Main Streets with some shops, restaurants, and businesses.

The houses are located outside of the town area.

The suburban area is probably the most popular area for families to live because it gives the best of both worlds.

There are, however, some downsides to living in a suburban area.

For starters, if you get a job, you are going to have to travel to it.

These commute times can range from twenty minutes to well over an hour.

Some people will decide these commutes are not worth it, and they would rather live in the urban area where the jobs are located.

The shorter commute can help people have more time in their day and feel as though they are actually working less.

Another downside to some suburban neighborhoods is that you are not always able to do exactly what you want with your home.

Many of these communities have something called a homeowners’ association.

The homeowners’ association is a group that manages a community and creates some rules for people to follow.

Many times, an HOA can be a good thing because people will have to maintain their home to a certain standard.

There are, however, times when you will not be allowed to do things with your own home because of the HOA.

For instance, if you want to put a small shed in your yard or paint your house purple, many times, the HOA will not approve your request.

Although there are great benefits to the suburban community, there are always negatives as in any type of housing situation.

There is no perfect living environment.

 

Which Type of Community Is Best?

 

There is no community that is truly perfect.

As we mentioned when we described all three of these community types, there are positives and negatives to all communities.

You need to make sure you understand what you are looking for in your community before you make your final decision.

If you need land for animals or plants, then the rural community will be your only choice.

If you want access to a busy and active lifestyle, then the urban will be the best choice.

There are a few areas of your life you should analyze and consider before you make a decision about where to live.

Think about your career, your family, and your hobbies.

Sometimes the career and the family will have you wanting to live in the suburban area, but your hobbies may pull you towards the urban communities.

You will have to choose which one makes the most sense for your long term, as purchasing a home is a long-term investment.

 

Which Type of Community Is the Most Expensive to Live In?

 

The prices of homes in rural, urban, and suburban areas will vary depending on the location and the real estate market.

In some areas, if the city is run down or struggling financially, you can get a great real estate deal, and the prices will be lower.

This can also cause the pricing in the suburbs to increase considerably.

Most of the time, rural properly will tend to have less of a swing when it comes to real estate pricing.

It holds a bit more steady and will likely not experience the ups and downs quite as sharply as the rural and suburban areas will.

 

What Is the Difference Between Town, Village, and City?

 

A village is an area where people have started to settle.

A village is usually a small area with a limited number of houses, schools, and businesses.

Towns are areas which may contain a few villages.

Towns are still smaller than cities, and they are still going to have more of a suburban type lifestyle than an urban lifestyle.

When you combine a bunch of towns and create one centralized location with lots of people, places to live, and business, you will find a city.

Cities are busy, and there is usually a lot of noise and traffic as well.

Although a village can get busy at times during an event, it won’t be the same as living in a city.

For instance, a village about an hour from New York City which has a main street with ten restaurants, several small businesses, and a few shops and stores won’t compare to New York City itself.

The villages and towns tend to have a slightly slower pace of life and allow for a little more space between people and buildings as well.

 

Conclusion

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the three types of communities.

It is hard to say which of these three communities is truly the best.

Each one will have its positives and negatives, and all of these should be taken into consideration before housing decisions are made.

Remember to think about your career, your family, and your hobbies before you make your final housing choice.

There will likely always be something about your current living situation which makes you think another area could be better for you.

The next time you complain about your commute, think about all of the other things that come along with shorter commute time and realize that it may or may not be worth it to you.