[mquirion]

You're forgetting the key bit: It was during a pandemic, and so especially during the first 6-12 months, people didn't feel safe being around others. They also often legally didn't have any space outside they could enjoy. Suburbs bring personal space and the legal right to be in your back yard.

A city is an entirely different experience when its residents are allowed to use parks and can enjoy dining out, walking to a market, strolling to the cinema, etc...

[dahfizz]

This is such a bizarre comment. Do you think people will just forget how easily it was for their entire lifestyle to become illegal? Do you think those that moved to the suburb will forget the incredible freedom they purchased?

I think the pandemic highlighted a key deficiency of cities which most people will not soon forget.

[TeMPOraL]

Yup. In between the waves of lockdowns, cities were actually more pleasant to be in than they normally are - with so many offices closed, there was a lot less people and cars on the streets, meaning less pollution and less noise.

[pnutjam]

Without the commuter rush, many places were much more pleasant. I'm in a suburban area and it used to be a solid hour of "line 'o cars" on the main street by my house. God forbid you want to go somewhere at 5pm or 8am.

Now it's more congested, but traffic still moves pretty quick. I'm not looking forward to all the commuters going back to the office.

[dahfizz]

"for a brief period during unprecedented times, a city apartment was as pleasent to live in as a proper house. This has quickly passed."

[TeMPOraL]

Almost. A proper house still has more space, and less noise constraints :).