City vs. Suburbs for Families: Should Young Families Move or Stay?

📌 Deciding between the city or suburbs for your family? It’s a huge decision for parents in Toronto. Many assume that the suburbs are the best choice for space, affordability, and schools—but is that really true? In this post, we compare the pros and cons of city vs. suburbs for families and help you decide what’s best for your lifestyle and budget.

But is that actually true?

The reality is, moving to the suburbs isn’t always the best option. Yes, you might get more space—but at what cost? Longer commutes, higher transportation expenses, fewer walkable amenities, and less cultural exposure for your kids.

In this deep dive, we’re breaking down the real differences between city vs. suburbs for families, comparing:
Home affordability at different price points
Commute times and accessibility
School quality and family-friendly amenities
Long-term investment potential
The lifestyle differences that actually impact your family’s daily life

By the end of this article, you’ll have all the facts to make the best decision for your family.

1. More Space, But at What Cost?

One of the biggest reasons families consider moving to the suburbs is more space. You get a bigger home, a backyard, and quieter streets.

But here’s what often gets overlooked:

🚗 Longer Commutes & More Time in the Car

The average GTA commute is 56 minutes—longer than both New York City and Los Angeles.
If you live in a city neighbourhood with access to transit, your commute could be cut in half.

💰 Hidden Costs of Suburban Living

Higher transportation costs (car payments, gas, insurance)
Longer commute times = less time with family
Lack of walkability means more errands require driving

👉 Example: A family living near Sidney Belsey Cres. in Mount Dennis can take the UP Express and Crosstown LRT downtown in under 30 minutes—far more efficient than driving from the suburbs.

2. Schools: Is the Suburban Advantage a Myth?

A common belief is that suburban schools are always better.

📌 Fact: Many of Ontario’s top-ranked public schools are actually in the city.

🏆 Top-Ranked City Schools (Fraser Institute):

Claude Watson School for the Arts (North York)
Hollywood Public School (Bayview Village)

🏆 Top-Ranked Suburban Schools:

St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic High School (Richmond Hill)

Takeaway: There are great schools in both locations—but it’s a myth that suburban schools are automatically better.

3. Walkability & Kid-Friendly Amenities

One of the biggest perks of raising kids in the city? Walkability.

🚶‍♂️ City Advantage:

Walkable neighbourhoods with parks, cafés, grocery stores, and schools just minutes away.
Kids gain independence earlier—walking to school, biking to a friend’s house.
More public transportation options.

🚗 Suburb Trade-Off:

Everything requires a car. Errands, school drop-offs, extracurriculars—all mean more time in traffic.
Sports programs may be further away, requiring longer drives.

Real Talk: If your kid has hockey practice at 7 AM in the suburbs, you’re driving 40 minutes to an arena.
In the city? It’s a 10-minute walk.

4. Investment: Where’s the Smarter Money?

📈 Urban homes appreciate faster than suburban homes. Why?

Limited land supply in Toronto keeps demand high.
Suburban growth = more supply, which slows down appreciation.

If you’re thinking about long-term financial stability, a home in the city is often the smarter play.

5. The Lifestyle Factor: Raising Worldly Kids

🎭 The biggest advantage of raising kids in the city? Exposure.

✔ Diversity: Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in the world. Kids grow up understanding different cultures, traditions, and perspectives.
✔ Access to Arts & Sports: Theatres, museums, elite sports academies, music programs—all within reach.
✔ Opportunities: Proximity to internships, top universities, and career connections.

📌 Studies show that kids raised in diverse urban environments develop stronger problem-solving skills and adapt better to new situations.

So while the suburbs may offer more space, the city offers something just as important—opportunity.

6. What Do You Get for Your Money? Comparing Real Homes

Let’s look at real homes at different price points to see if the suburbs are actually a better deal. Watch the vid to see the listings: https://youtu.be/y0_m78pqdMA

Under $750K: Entry-Level Homes

City: Mount Dennis – $699K, transit access, walkable
Suburbs: Mississauga – $699K, more space, higher property taxes

Under $1M: First Move-Up Home

City: East Danforth – $899K, subway access
Suburbs: Pickering – $899K, more backyard space

$1M – $1.5M: Detached Homes

City: Hillcrest Village – $1.288M, top schools
Suburbs: Richmond Hill – $1.298M, bigger home

$1.5M – $2M: Premium Homes

City: Dovercourt Village – $1.99M, walkability, parks
Subrbs: Oakville – $1.999M, massive home

👉 The Verdict? At every price point, the city is just as competitive—sometimes even better.

Conclusion: The Suburbs vs. City Decision

🚨 So, is it time to rewrite the narrative?
The city isn’t as unaffordable as people think.
Suburban life has hidden costs beyond just home prices.
Raising a family in the city means shorter commutes, more walkability, and greater opportunities.

💡 Still unsure? I put together a free Urban Family Guide that breaks down the best family-friendly city neighbourhoods and real homes in your budget. [Download Here]

📞 Want to discuss your options? Book a call via Calendly, or email josh@realestateundertheradar.com to chat about your next move.

FAQ: City vs. Suburbs for Families

❓ 1. What’s the biggest trade‑off between city and suburban family living?

Choosing the city means quicker access to transit, schools, and cultural life—but you may trade off space and yard size. Suburbs offer larger homes and quieter neighborhoods, yet often come with longer car‑dependent commutes and less transit access nypost.com+15bfpminc.com+15urbaneer.com+15.

❓ 2. Are suburbs really more affordable than cities?

Generally, yes—suburban homes typically cost less per square foot, and you often get more for your budget. However, factors like rising demand, inflation, and remote‑work‑driven moves have significantly eroded those price gaps in many markets investopedia.com.

❓ 3. How does commute affect family life?

In the city, you’re closer to schools, work, and amenities, often on foot or transit—which means more time with family. In suburbs, commutes tend to be longer, often car‑driven, which translates to less downtime at home reddit.com+2bfpminc.com+2urbaneer.com+2.

❓ 4. What about schools, parks, and community for kids?

Suburban areas usually offer bigger backyards, parks, and playgrounds—great for early years. Cities, however, offer walkable parks, cultural programming, and transit access that can cultivate children’s independence and civic engagement instagram.com+3ft.com+3linkedin.com+3.

❓ 5. Do families really leave cities once kids reach school age?

Yes—many families move to suburbs for extra space and perceived better schools, especially if urban environments lack family‑sized housing and safe streets apartmenttherapy.com+4linkedin.com+4businessinsider.com+4.

❓ 6. What are the hidden costs of suburban living?

Suburbs bring higher transportation costs, less efficient infrastructure, and greater car reliance—raising not just household expenses, but environmental impact too .

❓ 7. How has remote work changed the equation?

The shift to hybrid or remote work has blurred the benefits of suburbs—offering space for home offices and more affordable housing without sacrificing daily proximity to urban opportunities .

❓ 8. How can families find the sweet spot that blends city and suburban life?

Families looking to balance space, community, and transit are exploring “missing‑middle” neighborhoods—streetcar suburbs or walkable low‑rise communities with good schools and shorter commutes .