For the hip home seeker who longs to be near great food and culture, neighborhoods in a city’s downtown area hold a nearly irresistible attraction. The “urban core” typically has a higher crime rate and less favorable schools than the suburbs, but many downtown areas across the country are undergoing a revitalization of sorts, as cities invest in projects and amenities to attract new residents. And as more people look for alternatives to long commutes and urban sprawl, homebuyers are flocking to the urban core. Homes in urban core neighborhoods come in a variety of styles, such as these brownstones in Boston.
Advantages of Urban Core
Professional writer Toni Kamins has owned a co-op in Manhattan’s trendy West Village for 16 years. “What I most appreciate is the constant availability of just about anything you want,” she says. “I know I miss that when I go out of town.” In a centrally located urban neighborhood, you can typically walk or take a bus, taxi or subway to restaurants, bars, shops, museums, libraries and parks — not to mention use public transportation or your own two feet to get to work each day.
About the Neighborhoods
Homes in the urban core can be skyscraper apartments, converted lofts in old warehouses, spaces above operating businesses, row houses, brownstones — if someone can build it, someone else will figure out a way to live in it. Neighborhoods often vary widely in demographic and socioeconomic development, sometimes even from block to block. Bob Eychner, a real estate broker and owner of Eychner Associates, Inc., in Greenwich Village, remembers trying to sell homes in a very different West Village in the early 1980s. “I can vividly remember the last block of West 12th Street,” he says. “I’d drag customers over there to try to sell them something. There was a banner up that read, ‘Hookers and johns beware! We are taking your license plate number.’ So I trumpeted the strong neighborhood watch system. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t.”
But the West Village experienced a fairly common phenomenon for cities: a series of historical landmark designations began to prohibit old buildings from being torn down and new high-rises from going up, preserving the neighborhood’s architectural character. This move eventually attracted buyers and crime rates fell. “We moved to the West Village because it’s charming,” Kamins says. “It’s sort of got a small-town feel within Manhattan. It was, at one point, a lot quieter than other parts of the city.”
Climbing Popularity — and Prices
Trouble is, urban core neighborhoods by nature have defined geographic limits, so it’s difficult to keep a great little spot all to yourself. “In the last eight to 10 years, this area has become white-hot,” Kamins says. “It’s absolutely ridiculous. We get a lot of TV and movie crews — Sex and the City was always filming here.” Demand for such unique space can attract crowds and everything that comes with them: noise, congestion and skyrocketing prices.
“Prices are nuts,” Kamins admits. “We paid high prices 16 years ago for this place but nowhere near what they’re paying now.”
Cost of living in the urban core is a major issue to consider, because the real estate market there may not reflect what’s going on in other parts of the country — or even other parts of the same city. “The average number of days on the market for homes in Manhattan has increased in the last year,” Eychner says, “but our inventory has not increased.” Translation: prices aren’t rising as fast as they were, but they’re rising. In vibrant cities, someone will always covet access to great spaces.
Living downtown can sometimes mean getting rid of your car and all the expenses it entails, but the savings can be more than offset by steep mortgages, monthly condo or co-op fees, and increased living expenses. “Co-op and condo fees in Manhattan generally run anywhere from $1 to $4 per square foot per month, depending on the level of service provided by your building,” Eychner says. (In smaller cities, fees tend to be less than $1 per square foot.) “You should also budget for more expensive restaurants. And if you do have a car, parking can be insane.”
In smaller metropolitan areas, core neighborhoods often feature a diverse selection of properties with a wide price range. But be advised that in a given neighborhood, converted lofts and condominiums may arrive long before the amenities do; you may buy into the urban aesthetic but end up waiting a few years for jobs, restaurants and shops to follow your lead.

Owners Provided with Numerous Styling Options

Custom urban home plans are highly desired by those that want to live in a city and still have a say in how the home is constructed. There are many different features that can in incorporated into the home for a unique look. Urban architecture generally follows some of the same characteristics that loft homes use. High ceilings with many windows are common elements designers utilize.

Unlike other housing options, urban home designs won’t be limited to certain design features because of community restrictions or landlord rules. You will own every part of the house, which gives you countless options when it comes to developing both the interior and exterior design. Urban housing development is very functional so that every area of space is efficiently used. Open floor plans with multi-level living space creates spacious rooms that are well lit with natural sunlight.

Green living can easily be incorporated into urban homes. In fact, people that choose to live in the city are already playing a huge role by not taking away from natural land. Custom urban home architects can use recycled and non-toxic materials to give you and your family safer breathing air. Taking advantage of the convenient public transportation will save money on gas and maintenance of your car, while additionally reducing the amount of toxic fumes in the air.

Inner City Living Appeals to Professionals of Any Age

With the cost of living on the rise, many people don’t want to spend the gas it takes to drive to and from their job in the city. Luckily, urban houses provide families with a chic and resourceful residence that allows them to enjoy being close to popular city attractions, such as upscale bars, restaurants, or shopping centers. Money can be spent on other things rather than expensive gas, while still owning a home that is full of sophisticated style. For those that want to own a house but can’t imagine moving out of your favorite city, an urban house can be the perfect solution.

With so many advantages, it’s no wonder why people are moving back to the city and working with professional architects to design a home with urban style. They are extremely functional by using the interior space as efficiently as possible. They can follow numerous green building techniques that help preserve the planet’s resources while creating a healthier environment for adults and children. Urban homes are located in areas that are close to a wide range of eateries and stores that aren’t found outside the city. Choosing an area where you can live, work, and play can fascinate people in any stage of their life, which is why urban housing has become so trendy.