If you are hunting for a home, then you have probably seen some neighborhoods being described as suburbs and others as exurbs. While many people know about the suburbs, many others don't know about exurbs. Below are some differences between the two and how the exurbs can fit some people.

The Differences

There are several differences between exurbs and suburbs; here are some of the major ones.

Distance from City Center

The distance from the city center is the primary difference between suburbs and exurbs.  Suburbs are located on the outer fringes of the city while exurbs are located further away. In many cases, the suburbs share boundaries with the outer boundaries of the city. When moving out of the city, you cross the suburbs first before getting to the exurbs.

Facilities

Due to their locations, suburbs have more and better facilities than exurbs. For one, suburbs share some of the facilities of the city, such as transportation networks, medical facilities, and entertainment facilities. Suburbs also have their own facilities that are better developed than facilities in the exurbs.  Exurbs are almost rural in nature.

Commerce

Many suburbs have commercial establishments; many of them even have designated commercial neighborhoods.  This is not the case with exurbs that lack serious commercial activities. In fact, many exurbs tend to be zoned for farming and have significant farming activities.

Space

Since suburbs are peri-urban neighborhoods, they are more space-constrained than exurbs.  Suburbs tend to have smaller houses and yards than exurbs. In fact, many suburbs are more crowded than exurbs too.

Lifestyle

Lastly, the pace of life also tends to be slower in the exurbs than in the suburbs. In the suburbs, businesses close late, there is a wide variety of entertainment activities, and you are more likely to find more events than the exurbs.

Who Should Move To the Exurbs?

Life in the suburbs is different from life in the exurbs. Analyze the two communities and choose the one that best fits your lifestyle. For example, the exurbs may be better suited to you if:

• You work from home since you won't have to worry about the transportation network
• You crave wide, open spaces
• You don't care for the fast-paced life in the city
• You don't go to the city center often
• You want to do a little farming

The above are just a few examples. Also, note that some exurbs may be better developed than others. The level of development depends on various factors, including the nature and size of the nearest urban center.

For more information about different kinds of real estate listings, contact a real estate agent.