/By AzerNews/

By Amina Nazarli

Where do you prefer to live: city centers or outskirts? It is not so easy at first to make a clear choice as each one has its own virtues.

Fresh breeze, alluring sea beaches and the tantalizing aroma of freshly prepared barbecue, these are what many of us dream sitting at our 2 or 3 room apartments and listening to irritable chorus of street cars. In the city bustle, you will not find a place to breathe a fresh air.

Air pollution, contaminated water, constant hustle on the streets and in public transport these are parts of the eternal stress we are living with in the cities. That’s why it is not surprising that more and more people want to change their housing for a cozy nest in the suburbs.

People living in the outskirts need to pass long distances to reach their jobs, schools and universities. In Baku it does not take too much time to get to the city center. About 20-30 minutes are enough to reach your destination by car thanks to the city’s smart road junctions.

Those who prefer to live in the outskirts console themselves with getting up earlier in the morning, breathing fresh air, enjoying large space and calming silence around.

Bilgah, located in 40 km north of Baku is famous for its fresh weather and popular beaches. It will take only 45 minutes by public transport to get there.

Located in the tip of Absheron Peninsula, the area is famous for its special sanatoriums, seaside health and spa resorts good for treating cardiovascular diseases.

This is an ideal place for treatment of patients suffering from endocrinological, iodine deficiency and many other diseases, due to its fresh air, saturated with iodine and salt.

In particular, there is a sanatorium, designed for 700 seats, with a compartment for rehabilitation treatment after myocardial infarction. Established in 1978, the center has always enjoyed great popularity among both domestic and foreign tourists.

In Azerbaijan, many people move to the outskirts in the summer just to protect themselves from hot weather. The country houses are ideal for many who are going to rest and relieve stress of nine-month living in the bustling centers.

In recent years, outskirts’ residences are gaining more popularity among Azerbaijanis, who tend to leave their houses in the city center. The villages such as Hovsani, Khirdalan, and Yeni Guneshli are becoming more popular for more citizens of the country.

Fresh weather and less noise have forced them to change their minds and escape from the crowded city centers.

Another reason triggering this trend is the low cost of land plots in the outskirts.

Nariman Agayev, the Chairman for Research on Sustainable Development Centre, said land prices in Baku and Absheron Peninsula increased by 16-25 percent in 2013, making outskirts’ buildings more attractive for people with small budgets.

Moreover, the growth in prices related to the development of infrastructure including construction of new roads and water pipeline in Absheron Peninsula, as well as opening of route lines are among the reasons forcing people to leave their houses in the cities.

There are people who disagree, saying that being far from the center is bothering and inconvenient for working people and students.

What is the benefit of living in centers other than this fact that everything is close to your home? To take the question thought, practically nothing. To discuss it in details, you will find out that the cons outweigh the pros.

Sometimes, people even are doubtful about which floor is fit for living. Doctors recommend those with blood pressure to live in the first two floors. However, due to cars' pollution, some doctors claim that higher floors are safer.

However, waking up by the songs of birds or fresh breeze, or smell of blooming lilacs breaking into the house through the open window are amazing dreams. That’s why most people move to the outskirts to realize their dreams.