Urban amenities like restaurants, nightlife, museums, and sports venues have compelled Americans to live in large cities. But with more and more people working remotely, many Americans now want a balance of indoor and outdoor space and affordability while still maintaining that big-city feel.
A new Cityness Index by Zillow® and Yelp Inc. pinpoints the U.S. suburbs that best strike that balance.
“We are seeing extremely strong housing demand due to low interest rates and more and more Millennials and Gen Zers reaching prime home buying age," said Zillow senior economist Cheryl Young. “This demand is also driving up prices and depleting inventory. Young people looking to buy and find space for their expanding families can bid farewell to big city premiums without giving up the feel of a city in amenity-rich suburbs.”
Yelp data indicates that there’s a “Great Reshuffling” on the horizon, with the number of quotes requested for movers recently increasing 34% in San Francisco, 22% in New York and 6% in Los Angeles.
“For city dwellers who don't want to sacrifice great amenities like restaurants, art galleries and nightlife, but are dreaming of a little more space and a more affordable lifestyle, these suburbs offer a similar variety of great local businesses,” said Tara Lewis, Yelp trend expert.
The Cityness Index combines data from Zillow and Yelp to identify relatively affordable areas near major metros that offer amenities that give the suburbs the feel of big-city living. Key metrics include home values compared to the nearest big cities and to the country at large, housing availability, the mix and diversity of businesses including restaurants, nightlife and the arts, as well as consumer reviews and check-ins.
Using these criteria, Zillow and Yelp assigned a Cityness Index score to hundreds of suburbs across the country and identified the highest scores in 50 of the largest U.S. metros. Waterbury, Conn., near New Haven and Hartford, topped the list.
Top 10 Affordable Suburbs with a City Feel
1. Waterbury, Connecticut
Cityness Index Score: 67.6
2. Lowell, Massachusetts
Cityness Index Score: 64.7
3. Joliet, Illinois
Cityness Index Score: 63.8
4. Sunrise, Florida
Cityness Index Score: 60.7
5. Pasadena, Texas
Cityness Index Score: 60.5
6. Lancaster, California
Cityness Index Score: 59.3
7. Hampton, Virginia
Cityness Index Score: 58.6
8. Marietta, Georgia
Cityness Index Score: 58.4
9. Norman, Oklahoma
Cityness Index Score: 58.2
10. Tempe, Arizona
Cityness Index Score: 57.9
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