Definition of "bedroom community"

The definition of a bedroom community, or commuter town in real estate is a unique type of community that merely uses their homes to sleep, while doing everything else offsite. In a bedroom community, people work, eat and engage in recreational activities away from their homes, only returning to their domiciles to sleep.  

These communities are a fascinating phenomenon, characteristic of the unique social paradigms in large cities that manifest due to the dynamic nature of modern metropolitan life. Now, let’s look at an example of a bedroom community, and exactly what life looks like in one of these unique areas. 

Pros and cons of living in a bedroom community

In the past half-century, bedroom communities have cropped up across the United States, in virtually every major metropolitan city. A desire to escape the traffic, pollution, high crime rates and other woes inherent to city life has resulted in the forming of many such neighborhoods and suburban areas, as families increasingly migrate outwards into the periphery of major cities. 

There are many intrinsic advantages to living in a bedroom community. Safety, better schools, cleaner air and less noise pollution all contribute to a higher standard of living than one would find in an urban environment. Many suburban areas are actually bedroom communities, albeit unbeknownst even to many that live there. 

Despite the intrinsic advantages that accompany bedroom community living, there are also downsides that have to be acknowledged. Commuting to and from work eats into family time, Shopping becomes difficult when most stores are at a considerable distance from home and maintaining a social life with friends in the city becomes draining after a while. 

Weighing the upsides and the negatives, it’s safe to say that living in a bedroom community is ultimately a matter of personal preference. For some, it is well worth the inconveniences; for others, it is simply untenable as a way of life.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

Way of selling real estate in which a syndicator sells equity interests to investors. Examples include a real estate investment trust, limited partnership, and corporation. For example, a ...

Also called all inclusive trust deed (AITD). A mortgage (trust deed) that encompasses existing mortgages and is subordinate to them. The existing mortgages stay on the property and the new ...

While trying to determine your net income, you might come across the term revenue, sales, or gross income. So what does revenue mean? Through revenue, we understand the income generated ...

Residential or commercial building of two or more floors that can only be accessed through stairs. It is more common in urban areas. ...

Land expansion resembling a star. The starts center is the city, and major thoroughfares going away from the city are depicted. ...

Defect in the tax law that either may provide a loophole to minimize the tax payment or result in higher taxes than there should be. ...

Act of postponing a closing for another day or place. Adjournments of closing can occur for a variety of reasons including the lack of an appropriate closing statement, one or more parties ...

Same as term plat book: Listing of all of the plats of subdivided plots in a jurisdiction showing the location, boundaries, and plat owners. A plat book normally shows other improvements ...

Indicators reflecting future changes in economic conditions; referred to as the Composite Index of 11 Leading Indicators. This index indicates the direction of the economy in the next six ...

Popular Real Estate Questions