The tides have turned and people are returning to their city's urban neighborhoods.

Unlike many cities with downtowns that seem more like ghost towns that lost the fight against mega malls and suburban shopping complexes, many city's have managed to create a unique urban environment despite suburban developments. In the face of adversity, cities have bounced back to make urban living an attractive concept once again.

After World War II, suburbs began springing up at a rapid rate. With more people owning cars, families no longer had to live close to work. Those who could afford an automobile opted for 20 to 30 minute commutes in exchange for open spaces, leaving the city to lower income residents still dependent on public transportation.

As a result of this exodus to the suburbs, many downtown urban neighborhoods fell into disrepair leaving abandon or dilapidated housing and, with all the money in suburbia there was little incentive for new businesses to move in.

In the 1960s and 1970s many areas eventually caught the eye of various groups interested in preserving the city’s heritage by trying to salvage these historic neighborhoods. In restoring and reinvesting in these downtown districts, artists, students, and eventually business owners slowly started moving back in to build the areas up making the downtown area, once again, an enviable place to live.

This shift back to urban living created a demand for housing. In addition to refurbishing existing buildings, there has been a push to build new condominiums, lofts, single-family homes and apartment communities. Those looking to live the urban life can find everything from affordable housing for students to high-end condos, lofts and homes for sale, making the demographic in each neighborhood diverse.

Many urban areas have undergone changes over the years that have transformed rundown, crime-ridden neighborhoods into cultural Meccas, attracting a wide range of urban dwellers from students and young professionals to retired, empty-nesters, the international community and the gay community.

Our mission at Think-Urban is to identify the best urban neighborhoods and provide you with the information you need to Live, Play and Go.