Moving to the Suburbs, and Away from the City is as Popular as Ever

More and more people are moving to the suburbs from the city. There’s been some buzz as of late that the urban to suburban trend was starting to reverse itself with millennials, but a Wall Street Journal study done by the National Association of Home Builders suggests otherwise. Most of Generation Y wants to ultimately live in a single-family home outside the city center, even if they currently reside in the city. Why? They want more space than they have now.

Or, maybe it’s that instead of 24-hour take out, a lack of parking, and tiny walk-ups, people are flocking to the urban outskirts for sit-down dinners, freshly cut grass, and a few thousand square feet. The suburbs have much to offer; more than just reoccurring cul-de-sacs. The culture is embodied in rich community, like neighborhood get-togethers and town-run events. The trend is to find a good location with proximity to the city, great schools, in-demand amenities, and entertainment opportunities.

Wellesley is one such suburb with an abundance of activities and social life, while still maintaining individual privacy. Real estate prices are comparable to those in the city. The median sales price for homes in Wellesley from January to March of last year was $820,000. This is an increase of 6.8% compared to the prior year. The housing market tends to ebb and flow, but this town thrives and attracts families, executives, and discerning buyers. Yards give parents space to raise a family. The back patio is a place to socialize with friends or enjoy a family dinner. The schools here are some of the top in the state, and well beyond.

Wellesley is a community full of neighborhoods, clustered by elementary school districts, and picturesque enclaves that make it a bustling, close-knit town. The town center is characterized by a quaint, yet modern collection of shops and restaurants that appeal to every taste and age range. Each year, Boston Magazine recognizes the best food, drink, shopping, and entertainment there is to enjoy throughout the Greater Boston area and Wellesley just won a Best of Boston Award as Best Town Center, West for 2015.

The food is both nationally recognized, housing Ming Tsai’s Blue Ginger restaurant, and varied with Dave Becker’s new Mediterranean restaurant Juniper, sister to Sweet Basil of Needham, Café Mangal, a local favorite with Hungarian roots and Bocado, a new Tapas restaurant, to name just a few, creating a thriving nightlife.

The suburbs also offer something unique that the city can’t promise: safety. Arguably, Wellesley’s most practical appeal is its low overall crime rate that not only ranks among the lowest in Massachusetts, but also in the nation -- making it one of the safest areas to raise a family.

With its commitment to educational excellence, proximity to Boston, great shopping and services, fine homes and attractive neighborhoods, Wellesley offers buyers an inviting lifestyle. Settled in 1650, this scenic town attracts people of all interests. When deciding where to settle, it is important to not only love the house you buy, but the area that surrounds it. The town of Wellesley provides both beautiful homes and a welcoming community where its residents thrive.