I always force myself upon people talking about urban economics. I literally keep on talking and talking until I can see their ears bleeding. Urban economics is one of my favorite subcategories of economics, and understanding how cities and towns work is a very important issue for policy makers worldwide. Don’t worry, we won’t delve into the theories of urban economics which include the spatial equilibrium, urban metabolism, and yada yada ya……, instead we will be simply comparing the differences between economic phenomenon in cities and towns. Most of the civilized world live in cities, and for good reasons. The opportunities in large mega cities are almost endless, attracting those who live in distant cities and towns to climb the social ladder.
There are several differences between cities and towns, those include employment opportunities, income disparities, cost of living, and infrastructural differences. However, not all the differences between both cities and towns are namely economic. Some people would prefer to stay in towns for what they offer of community ties and peace of mind.
Cities are big, bold agglomerations of concrete structures. Cities are knowns to be business hubs, housing hundreds of enterprises of different sizes. Even though cities might be the more convenient option for the modern human, towns still excel at providing the comfort and peace that cities lack. Towns are small, away from metropolitan regions. Moreover, those small towns are limited in population, and will most likely lack the vertical housing that mega cities offer. Understanding the differences between cities and towns is a critical matter catering to the personal preferences of the modern human.
Follow the money!
The abundance of services in cities (including governmental services and banking services) make it the perfect spot for businesses to locate their offices. Those services will most likely be in close proximity to each other, giving cities an edge in execution efficiency. This opens a vast number of employment opportunities, attracting people to cities for what they offer of higher income. As of 2023, those living in cities will earn 23% more than those in rural towns. The gap is lucrative to be honest, however, another gap that offsets this income increase also exists. Housing in cities is far more expensive than in rural towns. Imagine an urban city, if you look at the housing prices, you will find that the nearer you are to the city center, the more expensive houses become. This phenomenon could be explained by the existence of high amenities and services in the city center, along with the limited opportunity of future construction. On the other hand, the demand for housing in towns is far less than that in cities due to the smaller population, and the remote nature of towns. Towns don’t include many services, and according to several residents, the most fun you could have there is at the local mall or at a communal event where you will have to endure your annoying uncle asking about your girlfriend (who probably has an accent) while flipping those pork ribs on the grill.
Missed the bus? No problem!
The vast size of urban cities accompanied by advanced infrastructure have made it crucial for transportation to adequately develop (and no I’m not talking about the New York subway, it’s very uninspiring). Large cities offer a plethora of transportation options, including public buses, underground metros, and elevated trains. This large offering renders the need for personal vehicles obsolete. Bus stations along with the metro stations are probably located in vital areas near to significant spots around the city.
Take Egypt for example, the country has been in the constant development of a versatile underground system since the mid-80s. The metro in Cairo stretches within every single inch of the city, offering speed and convenience for the daily commuters (yes, I’m looking at you California, your car infested streets are covered in shame!). Transportation in towns is a different story for very obvious reasons. I’m sure u have watched several Hollywood movies that take place in towns, and it’s always the protagonist who is driving a heavy-duty ford pick-up. Due to the small size and population of towns, there are limited transportation options to those with a southern accent. Residents of towns will prefer to acquire a vehicle to assist them in their daily endeavors. This choice is highly related to infrastructural policies, as governments may find it not feasible to develop public transportation in towns.
The lure of the town
I’m not trying to do the towns of the world dirty, the reason to why towns still exist is instilled in the heart of its residents. Towns offer something that cities don’t, and that’s the affluency of the community. The small population of towns make it easy for people to connect on a personal level, and community events harvest the cultural history of the place. Moreover, opening a local business in a town is very easy in comparison to cities. If u decide to open a coffee shop in your town, you will probably end up seeing the same customers every day, honing the beautiful bond of the people of the town. Furthermore, towns are considered to be more aesthetic. Towns are likely located away from the city, near to large lakes and high mountains, creating a graceful connection between the people and the place. I have always imagined my personal utopia to be a lodge on the top of a mountain, providing me with charming scenery while I feed my two goats and pet my loyal border collie.
Conclusion
Even though the choice of residence may seem clear, it’s not always a matter of logical thinking. You might propense towards the loud money-making mega cities, yet you won’t notice the sacrifice made until old age. Towns lack the versatility and efficiency of cities, but they offer the much-needed homely feeling. This ambiance could very well offset the financial sacrifices made when you decide to stay in your hometown, alongside your friends and family. Also, bet you didn’t notice how I force fed a bit of spatial equilibrium in the first body paragraph.