In the centre or in the suburbs?

What flat would the average estate agency client like to buy? One that is close to work. With a nursery and school on the way, and a well-stocked grocery shop right by the home. The place where the flat is located should be well connected to the rest of the city. The home should be quiet and peaceful, safe and surrounded by greenery. Unfortunately, it is impossible to reconcile all of this – when choosing listings to present, we always have to give something up. The city centre lacks quiet and greenery, while in the suburbs it is hard to find easily accessible, fast transport to other parts of the city. But must such shortcomings always count against a flat? I will try to answer this question.

Every coin has two sides, so what is a drawback for some of us will be an advantage for others. The fast pace of life in a big city? For a family it may be overwhelming, but a young single person who treats a flat more like a hotel will see only good sides in that dynamism. The key is to get to know your client and their needs well at the start. Then every feature of a property can be presented in a good, or at least quite decent, light.

What are the advantages of living in the centre of a large city? First of all, the already mentioned proximity and availability of urban infrastructure. Supermarkets, cinemas, theatres, clubs, schools… Everything is close by. Social life thrives in the centre, and it is easier to pursue your passions. Besides, the value of a flat in the city centre rises quickly. A client with a flair for investment will certainly appreciate that.

And the outskirts? Are they the complete opposite of the centre, boredom, stagnation and isolation from the world? Of course not! In the suburbs it is easier to live a calm, mindful life. We are less stressed, we are closer to nature, we breathe cleaner air. The estates here are safe, and families with children predominate among the residents. There is no need to worry about a parking space or about space for children to play outdoors. Perhaps the client will leave many of their friends in the city, and contact between them will loosen because of the distance. In the suburbs, however, it is easier to break out of anonymity among neighbours. We are by no means condemned to loneliness there.

Nor can we assume in advance that a given factor is a drawback or an advantage for the client. Sometimes living in the centre means a much longer commute to work by public transport than driving your own car from and to a flat in the suburbs. Everything depends on the lifestyle, temperament and character of the particular client!