Living in a big city or suburbs?

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This is more than just the "poll-type" question as stated above. I have recently begun tenatively house-hunting, or at least getting a feel for what is on the market in the areas I'd like to live in. I don't have as much money saved up as I would have hoped, but I am getting there - I am hoping to have a few grand in my savings by the end of the summer so I can put some money down on my first, own house! How exciting, right? I currently rent out of a big city in a good section of town/neighborhood, and I initially was hoping to find a reasonably priced house in the area - safe, close to friends and family, close to my job. I feel my dreams are being crushed! It is RIDICULOUSLY expensive to buy a house over here! And not even just nice houses - even old, ugly (haha) houses are asking for more money than I can handle on my own. Then again, it seems like the further out you move, the better deal you get. So, I could spend the same amount of money in the suburbs and have a beautiful back yard, probably even lower crime rates, and a nicer and newer house for the same price. Then again, it comes with disadvantages - further commutes from work (which means more gas money, the inability to take public transport, bad conditions during storms, etc) and also being away from my family and friends- which is the worst disadvantage of all. Decisions, decisions! Have you been in a spot where you had to sacrifice living in the city for living in the 'burbs? Is it worth it? What did you choose in the long run?