Finding A Place In The Country

Exurban areas are the fastest growing type of residential development in the United States. Although exurbia may represent a distinctly new settlement pattern, to date relatively little is known about why people choose to live in the exurbs. The purpose of this article is to examine the factors underlying the residential choices of suburban and exurban residents of Sonoma County, California. The research question is, Why do some people choose to live in an exurban setting, whereas others move to suburban locations? The findings of the study indicate that exurban residents are motivated by the desire to live in a rural environment. In contrast, suburbanites are more concerned with the cost of housing and access to highways. These results support the conclusion that exurban growth is a distinctive phenomenon reflecting residents’ desire to live in a rural setting.