Big City life is overrated. There, I said it.

When I was growing up in a small town in Wyoming, moving to the big city was always something that sounded so appealing. It’s become mythologized, this idea of gathering up everything you own and starting anew in some glitzy metropolis where the horizon is full of towering skyscrapers and blinking lights.

In real life, though, a big city is not all it’s cracked up to. Starting anew actually means starting from the very bottom, and all those tall buildings are really only good for blocking out the stars.

If you really want to move to a big city, I’m not going to stop you. Don’t get me wrong, I love living in New Orleans. Though, this may be because New Orleans is a relatively small city that is easy to explore by foot like Salzburg. But don’t be fooled, a really big city is not all it’s cracked up to be. Here are some uncomfortable truths to keep in mind before you make a decision you could end up regretting.

It’s overpriced in a big city

Everything’s bigger in a big city. The streets. The buildings. The crowds. And, oh yeah, the costs.

Even a small but beautiful piece of New York, Los Angeles, or Toronto real estate can eat up a big chunk of change, and that’s not even taking into account additional expenses like utility bills, groceries, and transportation. In NYC, the cost of housing is a jaw-dropping 369% higher than the national average. In LA, a median-priced home costs a whopping $600,000. And in Toronto, the average cost of living is more than $6000 more expensive than the annual earnings of a full-time employee on minimum wage.

It’s not better connected in a big city

There’s also the fact that being in a big city no longer affords the extra connections it once did. Thanks to cheap high-speed internet rolling out in the countryside and more rural areas, it’s easier than ever to build a network online and supercharge your career. 

Sure, big newspapers will write about how working remotely harms productivity and damages your psychology, but that’s mostly naysaying. The reality is that remote work gives you more time and freedom than a regular employer ever would.

It’s unclean in a big city

Here’s the thing about living in the city. When you put that many people, that many businesses, and that many automobiles in one place, you’re gonna be left with a whole lot of waste. And that means pollution.

With over 40% of the American population regularly exposed to unhealthy air and one in every eight deaths worldwide being caused in part by air pollution, that’s nothing to sneeze at. Studies have shown that air quality improves the farther you move into more rural areas, meaning that people who don’t live in cities not only enjoy cleaner lives, but longer and healthier ones as well.

It’s dangerous in a big city

There may be a number of reasons to move to the city. Job opportunities. School. Being closer to loved ones. But one thing no one has ever moved to the city for is safety. In fact, the worst thing about city life arguably isn’t how expensive or dirty it is, but how perilous it is.

Crime rates are much higher in cities than in smaller towns, suburbs, or rural areas. It’s simple math. More people plus a high cost of living plus intense pressure minus adequate protection equals increased crime. To wit, the FBI has ranked such cities as St. Louis, Detroit, Baltimore, and Memphis among the most dangerous places in the U.S. And don’t think the freaks only come out at night. A recent study found that city crime is actually more likely to occur during the day, meaning you’re not even safe in broad daylight.

So what do you think about big city life? Have you ever wanted to move to a big city? What are some reasons that have stopped you from packing up and moving? Let us know in the comments below!

About Our Guest Poster:

Darcee Snider Gamble is a Wyoming native, who appreciates the work ethic and strong values that growing up in the Cowboy State afforded her. No matter where life takes her, she will always be a proud Wyomingite. New Orleans has been a part of Darcee for a long time. But now she is excited to now be a part of New Orleans. She believes there is truly nowhere else like the Big Easy and the experiences it affords its citizens; she can’t wait to share them with the family and friends that are sure to visit.  Passion for literature, food, history, adventure and music are reasons why living in New Orleans is such an important part of Darcee’s story. She writes each chapter by enjoying the wonders of the Carousel Bar, exploring the WWII Museum, walking the streets of Uptown, navigating the hidden gems of the French Quarter and eating a Po-Boy at Mahony’s.

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