A new study conducted by faucet maker Moen shows that more people are migrating toward the city instead of the suburbs for the first time in nearly a decade. Analysts opine that priorities may be shifting from big lawns and more space to more downscale living spaces that are closer to shops, jobs and entertainment. Homebuyers moving to the city come in all age groups, from retired empty nesters to young, single professionals who are waiting longer to get married and start families. Cost is also a factor, say experts who point out that some urban dwellings can cost less than sprawling suburban homes. For more on this continue reading the following article from TheStreet.
For the first time in nine years, more homebuyers are looking to buy in the city than in the suburbs.
Data on that come from Moen, a North Olmsted, Ohio, kitchen and bath faucet maker, and its Urban Uprising whitepaper project.
Moen’s research found that home shoppers are giving up on larger homes with bigger lawns in favor of downscale, urban abodes that get them closer to their jobs and local shops, restaurants and cultural happenings.
"It’s especially interesting because it goes against what we’ve thought was true for years — that bigger is better," says Jack Suvak, senior director of consumer and market insights at Moen. "In 2012, we started to see this trend gain momentum with urban population and downtown occupancy increasing. But now, migration toward city centers is accelerating … smaller-space living provides great convenience and appeal to today’s consumer."
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For example, downtown residential population in Milwaukee and Cincinnati is growing by 26% and 12%, respectively, Moen says. It also points to major homebuilders such as Toll Brothers (TOL), which has embarked on a series of "City Living" projects to build more homes in urban centers.
Why the rush toward city homeownership?
Suvak says it’s about quality of life to a growing number of homeowners. "There are a number of reasons urban living is so appealing," he offers. "By living in a metropolitan setting, consumers have greater access to amenities and resources, not to mention a reduced commute to work and the ability to walk or use public transportation to easily reach their destination."
The trend has also helped pump up home values in urban centers. Housing prices are up 11.3% in city neighborhoods, compared with 10.2% in suburban areas, Moen reports.
The three main categories of buyers are so-called "urban nesters" (ages 49-67); single Generation X homeowners (ages 36-48); and upscale Generation Y homeowners (ages 18-35). Older, retired homeowners want to scale back and live in a city environment now that they have more time for fun and relaxation, Moen says. Younger homeowners want to be closer to work, and single residents want the active social life that urban living offers.
Unsurprisingly, personal finances come into play as well. Moen says that the average price per square foot of an urban home ranges from $120 to $195, but the smaller city residential properties still cost less than larger homes in the suburbs on a dollar-to-dollar basis.
Moen isn’t saying the suburbs are fading away — far from it. Young families love the room, the schools, and the safety factor linked to suburban living, and those factors aren’t going to change anytime soon.
But for some homebuyers, living in the city is an attainable dream, and more and more Americans are making that dream a reality.
This article was republished with permission from TheStreet.
