A bedroom community, by definition, is a small community located outside of a major city. The name stems from the belief that the only thing people in these communities do is go home to sleep, and they maintain most of their lives within the city. While this may have been true in the past, bedroom communities are becoming more popular as people are looking for a sense of community when they purchase their home.

Here are some of the pros and cons of living in a bedroom community.

Pro: Get More for Your Money

Real estate prices in major cities are always going to be higher because there are a limited number of units available. Generally speaking, you can buy a home of equal size for considerably less in a bedroom community than you can in the city.

Con: Commuting To Work

If you decide on a community that is a considerable distance from your place of work, you will need to take into account the drive time necessary each day. You will also have to account for the fuel costs associated with commuting. However, a typical commute from a bedroom community is often on highways and freeways, making for a less stressful drive.

Pro: Lower Crime Rates

Large cities often have a higher crime rate just from the sheer volume of people that are in the city at any one given time. Sadly, large cities also suffer from more violent crimes than smaller areas. If crime is a concern for you, you will be pleased with the low crime rates found in bedroom communities. These close-knit communities make it more difficult for people to commit crimes because neighbours look out for each other.

Con: Shopping Experience

Some bedroom communities only have basic shopping areas for their residents to purchase food and other goods. If you want mall shopping you may have to commute into the city. Bedroom communities may have some small local boutiques or specialty stores, but many of the major retailers will not always be found in these areas.

Pro: Closer Schools

If having your child's school close to home is a necessity, you'll be very pleased with the schooling options available in bedroom communities. In the city, the chances are greater that your children will be bussed to a school outside of your community due to overcrowding and strict rules designating schools for your area. This means you may not be able to enroll your child in the school you’d like.

Students at schools in bedroom communities are more likely to attend somewhere closer to home, or even in the school of your choice. These communities are also known to be very supportive of their local schools.

Con: Dining and Entertainment

If you have a specific restaurant you like to dine at or type of entertainment you enjoy, you may have to commute into the city for them. Much like shopping, these communities can have limited restaurants and entertainment areas to offer residents.

Pro: Community Events

Smaller municipalities around Edmonton take great pride in their community’s unique identity and local events.  Smaller municipalities host popular community events that they are well known for and often have community centres, cultural venues and street festivals. These events are a great way to get out and meet your neighbours and have some fun. Gone are the days where most people had to leave these neighbourhoods for entertainment and socializing. Now, many people only leave their ‘bedroom’ communities to work.

Pro: Small Town Comforts

Whether it’s a block party with your neighbours, lemonade stands on street corners or neighbourhood kids riding their bikes up and down the street, bedroom communities give you a nostalgic feeling that brings back fond memories of your own childhood. It’s truly a community in that neighbours become friends, people watch out for each other, and life is lived at your own pace.

Bedroom communities are increasing in popularity as more people are looking for a sense of community with a focus on families. You will find beautiful homes of all sizes within these communities that are new and pre-owned. Being able to purchase a larger home than you could in the city, along with the strong communities, are sure to be enough to entice you to explore looking in bedroom communities for your next home.