Those of us in the suburbs don't prefer city living and we certainly don't like cities exporting all their downside (crowded roads, inadequate infrastructure, sky high taxes, crime, etc) to out suburbs.
I’m not talking about a “free pad in the city”. there are no “fee pads”. Living in LA is extremely expensive. And the houses are nice...no suburbs in city limits.
Also, because the city is large, the suburbs are a massive drive to and from most high paying jobs in the city. Plus we have the museums, the parks, the restaurants and shopping in the city.
It may be different where you are. But odd to find cheap land in city limits.