A message from the author:
I am an urban planner and a lover of cities. Every city is unique and organic; different skylines, interstates, lights, people, and neighborhoods. Cities, albeit organic, need urban planners to help guide a city’s growth and help residents navigate change. Similarly, I hope my writing helps you, the Coffea reader, understand the change that is taking place within the city where you live, work, and play. I hope you find my writing informational, and most of all inspiring.
Drive around any major city and notice new residential development popping up on every other city block. This residential development, known as infill, offers different types of housing within walking or short commuting distance to shopping, jobs and other amenities. This upswing in development is not happening by mistake; developers are meeting current market demand which is driven in part by Millennials (people born after 1980) and Generation X (people born between 1965 and 1980). Below are some interesting facts from the National Association of Realtors’ 2013 National Community Preference Survey about people under 40, their preferences, and how they are impacting today’s housing market. As a result, the housing we’re seeing today is not our parents’ house with a white picket fence in the suburbs. Let’s just say its more like an amenity filled skyscraper.
New residential infill is popping up along our nations major corridors. Source: greatergreaterwashington.org
People under the age of 40 want local governments to focus on issues of affordable housing, revitalizing urban and suburban communities, and having access to different methods of transportation (e.g. mass transit, walking, and biking).
Single – family homes are still highly preferred, but people under the age of 40, prefer communities with a greater mix of housing that would include single – family, multifamily, town homes, and condos.
When deciding where to live, factors such as high quality schools and short commutes ranked highest by people under the age of 40. Priorities following close behind are large homes, affordability, age and race diversity, and access to amenities.
People under the age of 40 are less likely to agree that ‘car is king’ and are more likely to replace the car with other main modes of transportation.
Source: National Association of Realtors, National Community Preference Survey October 2013.
Access to amenities within walking distance or by mass transit is important to people under 40. Source:urbanblackthoughts.blogspot.com
SpeakNow! – Can you relate to any of these trends?
Tifinie Capehart is an Urban Planner who has a passion for cities and people. The ideas and opinions of the author are for general information and entertainment purposes only. All readers should consult a professional realtor or planning professional(s) in their local area before acting upon any of the ideas expressed here. To read other stories by the author visit cityspeakonline.wordpress.com.