The trend in living downtown is beginning to take root throughout Texas. While the major metropolitan areas saw a rise in urban living as early as 1990, the quaint town squares of smaller cities are now being revitalized as locals move into these areas. As a trend watcher (and someone who’s considering loft living for herself), I’ve been reading up and talking to others about why many people have moved out of the core working centers in the first place and why we are moving back in. Growing up in the burbs, can we Texans make it in the big – or not-so-big – city?  

Urban or suburban?
When you read about the mass exodus to the suburbs following WWII, the blame – or choice –  seems to be on the people. That’s not really the case. Following the last world war, the government offered housing subsidies for veterans, and those subsidized housing developments were created on the outer rims of towns and cities. The suburbs were born. It wasn’t because the government favored urban sprawl or even that the majority of people wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. It was a concentrated effort by the government to pull women out of the workforce and back into the homes. The weaponry technology used in WWII was even converted to make burb-life easy. This was a time of the toaster, the blender, and other domestic appliances. Ah! But times have changed.

Looks like the push to create peripheral communities worked. Today, more than half of us still live in suburbia. This preference for suburban-style living continues to be particularly strong among younger families, and the most recent census data tell us that suburbs account for two-thirds of the total population in large metropolitan areas. So who in the world is resettling the old downtown cores?

Young professionals, empty nesters, and even retired people are driving this downtown living trend. Not your usual suspects. As a 30-something professional, I understand why younger workers without families are making the move. It’s simple. There’s no lawn to mow, commute to hassle with, and restaurants, theaters, and bookstores are at your doorstep – sometimes literally.

Although I hate to admit it,  I’d never really considered empty nesters and retired people trend setters. Well, they are. As their kids grow up and out, empty-nesters often choose to downsize their housing. Giving up lawn care and the maintenance of owning a large home for the convenience of living in a downtown loft or condo is appealing for many.

While the percentage of retired people living in downtown areas is relatively small, it is steadily rising. Baby boomers are retiring with substantial income and want to remain connected to their community. Living in suburbia may foster feelings of isolation for some. A vibrant downtown offers cultural activities, a sense of connectedness, and easy access to restaurants, shopping, and fun. The numbers are still out as to what percentage of the population live – or expect to move – downtown in the near future. But the demand is expected to continue as more suburban dwellers seek to avoid traffic congestion and other by-products of urban sprawl.

Weigh your options
All this hype about downtown living has me toying with the idea of loading a U-Haul and reducing that 11-mile traffic-choked trek to work to a mere block or two on foot. If you’ve been considering the same thing, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. I began thinking that gas prices were so outrageous that I’d save at least $200 a month on my gas bill. And maybe some of you will. But be realistic. After totaling the receipts, I’d be lucky to save $50, and that’s a pretty high estimate. I do, however, hate the traffic. If you’re like me, you spend nearly two hours – or more – each day commuting to work, factoring in a trip back home for lunch. Still, that’s two hours I could’ve spent watching Sex and the City reruns! When I looked at it that way, I was sold. Well, almost.  

There are other factors to consider. Because of the growing demand, purchasing property downtown can be quite expensive. You typically trade square footage for proximity. And did you know that the for sale signs in these areas say Must Like People? They don’t really, but you better because you’ll find little space for seclusion unless, of course, you purchase the penthouse. Are you OK with noise? You’ll likely get your fair share from local entertainment, fire and police stations, public transportation, and early morning trash pick-up. Depending on where you live, you may also be faced with other downtown problems, like large numbers of homeless people on the street.

For me, there is another factor to consider – my beloved dog. Urban living for dog lovers can be a challenge. Many properties have rules against pets, and the ones that allow pets often times confine them to back entrances and prohibit them from using common areas. You also have to consider the lack of a backyard – or any grass at all, for that matter. But Texans love their pets and high-rise property owners are coming around. Today, many are being built with pets in mind. From rooftop greenspaces to doggie parks, pet-friendly condos are on the rise.

There are a lot of upsides to urban living. More people in an area increases the potential for businesses to serve the population, making it more attractive to live downtown. You may even leave your car parked for weeks or months at a time. And if the trend continues, the price appreciation on an urban living space may surpass that of any other residential real estate investment.

Depending on where you are in life, downtown living may or may not be for you. But if you’re thinking about giving it a shot, I recommend a good pair of walking shoes.