City Dwellers Reach Peak City Stress After Only 18 Days, Study Finds

SWNYCITY - By Tyler SchmallSWNYCITY - By Tyler SchmallNew York office - 646-873-7565 / usnews@swns.com

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Live in a city? You should probably look to escape at least once every three weeks, according to new research.

A study examining the lifestyle differences of city and suburban dwellers pinpointed just how long it takes for stress to build up and for those in cities to seek more spacious and rustic surroundings.

Results showed city-dwelling Americans (defined as those living in cities with a population of one million or greater) manage to last 18 days on average before they feel they need a break from their urban jungles.

The new survey, conducted by Wyndham Vacation Rentals, also revealed that in those 18 days, city-dwellers will endure being bumped into 12 times, will wait in 15 long lines, miss their train or bus 13 times, and be rushed by a stranger 15 times.

Hitting “peak city” is a common occurrence for city-dwellers. The study found they’ll also deal with unique gripes like getting stuck behind frustratingly slow walkers 15 times, stepping in 13 puddles, being woken up too early by a loud noise outside their window 16 times, and riding a cramped train or bus 14 times before needing to escape.

The study also surveyed 1,000 Americans who reside in the suburbs and rural areas and found that the difference between city-dwellers and suburban/rural-dwellers is quite stark.

For example, city-dwellers were twice as likely to say they are “very stressed” on a typical day.

City-dwellers also reported in the study that they hit “peak stress” 10 times a month. Compare that to suburban-living Americans hitting peak stress seven times, and rural-living Americans hitting it only six times within a month.

Commuting to work also takes three hours longer every week for city-living Americans than suburban-living Americans, with city-dwellers spending seven hours a week commuting to work.

City-dwellers are also usually forced to live in cramped rooms and apartments, with 65 percent agreeing that they don’t have enough space where they live.

So, it’s no surprise that, according to the results, city-dwellers will spend 12 hours a month -- six full days every year -- just daydreaming about being in a place other than the city.

“This study shed an important light on what motivates people to plan an escape and how different daily routines impact vacation planning,” said Mary Lynn Clark, president, Wyndham Vacation Rentals. “We’re always looking for new ways to give our guests a great experience, and this type of insight goes a long way in helping us cater to their specific needs, from alternative lodging with more space and privacy to destination choices that can help them unwind.”

So where do city-dwellers want to go?

The beach was the most popular dream break spot, with 62 percent saying it sounds like a pleasant getaway destination.

But a place near some peaceful mountains (55 percent) or a nice quiet cabin in the woods (52 percent) rounded out a shockingly close top three.

Getting out in the wild and experiencing nature proved to be a popular choice for city-dwellers, as 85 percent say when they hit peak city they need to reconnect with mother nature, and nearly half (44 percent) pinpoint hiking as a preferred out-of-city activity.

But even once they get out of the city, city-dwellers say it takes them a full seven hours before they even start to de-stress.

“The survey’s findings also underline a growing trend of people turning to the mountains for a break. The beach is often synonymous with relaxation, but the mountains are becoming an equally attractive haven, especially for those who live in big cities,” added Clark.

“We’re seeing an appetite for big cabin rentals for everything from family reunions to corporate retreats, where people can avoid daily distractions and reconnect with each other. Our newest community in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains, Cherokee Orchard, combines access to the scenery and activities that make a mountain destination so appealing, along with eight- to 20-bedroom cabins that certainly offer a respite from city-living.”