So you’re thinking about moving to the suburbs, whether that’s because you’ll have more space, quiet streets, maybe a garden—it all sounds pretty appealing. But before you pack your bags, there are some hidden costs you might not have considered because living in the suburbs involves more than just fresh air & more room. Here are twelve hidden costs of suburban living that every soon-to-be suburbanite should know about. Don’t let these expenses catch you off guard.
Featured Image Credit: kues /Depositphotos.com.
Higher Utility Bills
You might get a bigger house in the suburbs but that comes with bigger utility bills, as heating & cooling a larger space means you’ll use more electricity and gas. Those high ceilings and extra rooms are nice, yet keeping them comfortable isn’t cheap. You might be surprised at how much more you pay each month to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Yard Maintenance Costs
Having a big yard is a suburban dream, although keeping it looking good is expensive since you’ll need to buy lawnmowers, trimmers & other gardening tools if you plan to do it yourself. Then there are costs for fertilizers, plants—maybe even pest control. Hiring a lawn care service also gets rather pricey and all those expenses for maintaining your outdoor space could work out to be costly.
Septic System Upkeep
In the suburbs, you might be off the city sewer system and have a septic tank instead, which means you’re responsible for regular pumping & maintenance to keep things running as they should. Neglecting it isn’t an option because it’ll just cause messy and expensive problems—these services aren’t cheap. These could end up being a large & unexpected addition to your regular home maintenance costs.
Well Water Maintenance
Likewise, if your suburban home uses a well for water, you’ll be in charge of maintaining it—that includes regular testing to make sure the water is safe to drink. You’ll have to pay for any necessary repairs or treatments for problems like mineral buildup or contamination. Unlike city water, where they handle the maintenance for you, well upkeep is your responsibility and may be an expensive surprise.
Paying for Trash Pickup
Trash collection is often covered by municipal services in the city, yet in the suburbs, you might have to pay for private garbage pickup, which may mean an extra bill each month or year. It might not seem like a big deal but it’s another cost to add to the list—and one that may catch new suburban residents by surprise. Who knew that keeping things clean could get so expensive?
Higher Property Taxes
Moving to a nice suburban neighborhood often means better schools & amenities but that comes with higher property taxes. You might not realize how much more you’ll be paying each year in taxes on your home and these costs may significantly increase your annual expenses. As a result, you’ll have to factor these costs into your budget whenever you’re thinking about making a move to the suburbs.
Homeowners Association Fees
Many suburban neighborhoods have homeowners associations that require you to pay monthly or annual dues and these fees go toward helping the neighborhood. For example, you might have to pay to maintain communal areas, landscaping & other neighborhood amenities, which keep the area looking nice. But they’re an extra cost you have to budget for and skipping these fees isn’t an option—they’re mandatory for all residents in the community.
Higher Car Insurance Costs
You might assume car insurance would be cheaper in the suburbs but that’s not always the case, since factors like local accident rates could drive up premiums. Higher rates of vehicle theft in certain places may increase your premiums as well. Plus, if you’re commuting longer distances, insurance companies might consider you a higher risk and that means you’ll have to deal with increased costs for your coverage.
Farther from Essential Services
Living in the suburbs could mean you’re farther away from important places like hospitals, specialist doctors & major shopping centers, so you’ll have to drive longer distances. This will increase your fuel costs and put more miles on your car while also taking more time out of your day. Emergencies become far more stressful when help isn’t just around the corner anymore.
Pest Control Expenses
Living in the suburbs often means more encounters with wildlife, with animals like raccoons, squirrels & rodents possibly appearing on your property. As such, you may have to deal with infestations and prevent these critters from damaging your home—that gets quite expensive. Expenses for pest control services or repellents add up over time, yet you have to keep your home pest-free.
Home Security System Costs
Suburban homes are usually targets for burglaries, especially in areas where homes are spread out and neighbors aren’t close by, so you’ll need to invest in a home security system. There’s the upfront cost of equipment & installation to worry about, as well as monthly fees for monitoring services for some peace of mind. The cost of securing your home is something you don’t really have a choice about.
Higher Delivery and Service Fees
Being farther from city centers could mean higher fees for deliveries & services, while some food delivery apps might not serve your area at all. Even getting furniture delivered often comes with higher costs due to the distance—plumbers or electricians could also charge more for travel time. All of these additional fees make everyday conveniences a lot more expensive.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us on MSN.
Read More:
