exurb
EK-serb
/ˈɛksɜːb/
A prosperous, low-density residential region lying beyond the suburbs of a city.
Refers to wealthy semi-rural commuter zones that exist outside traditional suburban rings.
The story behind the word. Coined in 1955 by sociologist Auguste Comte Spectorsky in his book 'The Exurbanites' to describe affluent workers commuting to New York City from rural districts beyond suburban borders.
Word relationships
- commuter-town: Commuter town is a general term for any town sending workers to a city, whereas exurb specifically implies semi-rural prosperity beyond suburbs.
- inner-city: Inner-city refers to central, high-density urban core districts.
Commonly confused with
- exurb vs suburb: Suburbs directly border the city; exurbs lie even further outward, beyond the suburbs in semi-rural countryside.
Word family
- exurban (adjective): Relating to an exurb.
- exurbanite (noun): A person who lives in an exurb.
Collocations
- distant exurb
- wealthy exurb
- exurb commuters
- growing exurb
Example sentences
- "High-income families moved out to the distant exurb, seeking large acreage while retaining corporate jobs in the city." Urban Geography Study
Memory hook
EX (extra/beyond) + URB (urban city) = Beyond the urban borders. Extra far urban living = EXURB.
When not to use
Do not confuse with working-class outer settlements or inner suburbs.
Fun facts
- Spectorsky originally created the term specifically for advertising executives commuting from rural Connecticut into Manhattan.
Related words
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