Though city living has its perks, living in a suburban neighborhood has plenty of advantages, too. Suburban neighborhoods often offer residents more indoor and outdoor space and, in many instances, a lower cost of living. And living in the suburbs doesn’t mean giving up the restaurant and entertainment options that big cities offer. In fact, many suburban neighborhoods have top-notch entertainment, seasonal festivals and enriching theater programs.
With the help of the real estate experts at Suburban Jungle, we’ve rounded up a list of some of the hottest suburbs across America.
Chappaqua, New York
Located about 30 miles north of New York City, Chappaqua is filled with parks and trails and has a picturesque, walkable downtown area. “Chappaqua is a beautiful turn-of-the-century town. Its proximity to Manhattan means less than an hour commute, and it’s also home to some of the best schools in the country,” says Robin Hoberman, Suburban Jungle New York strategist. The town offers a tight-knit community just shy of 3,000 residents — many of Chappaqua’s residents know each other and gather for seasonal festivals and weekend farmers markets.
Larchmont, New York
Another fantastic suburb outside of New York City, Larchmont is set on the beautiful waterfront of Long Island Sound. In Larchmont, life happens on the water, and locals enjoy a wide range of activities like boating, paddleboarding and kayaking. The area is a mix of long-time residents and commuters, since the town is only 30 minutes away from Manhattan. Eleanor Johnson, Suburban Jungle New York strategist says, “Larchmont features enough shopping and activities for families to not have to feel like they need to go to the city for entertainment.”
Summit, New Jersey
“Summit, New Jersey, is one of the most sought-after communities in New Jersey, which has become increasingly popular with Manhattan commuters over the last two decades,” says Allison Levine, Suburban Jungle New York strategist. Ideal for families or young professionals, Summit offers a vibrant downtown area with restaurants, cafes and shops. And for outdoor enthusiasts, the 30-acre Briant Park and 70-acre Hidden Valley Park are both great for hiking and biking.
Port Washington, New York
Just 17 miles from New York, Port Washington is a gem on Long Island’s north shore. The former sand-mining town is now a sought-after suburb with a great school system. The town is also full of history: The Sands Point Peninsula was the inspiration for the East Egg neighborhood in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby. “Port Washington has year-round family-friendly activities and festivals and features a welcoming and inviting Main Street town center,” says Allison Levine.
Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich, Connecticut, is one of the most sought-after communities in the United States, and residents here enjoy excellent dining and retail centers along with a top-notch school district. The town is known for its large, stately homes and high-income residents. But there are lots of outdoor attractions as well. Along with four beaches on the Long Island Sound, residents can birdwatch at the Audubon Center or explore the 300-acre Bannock Preserve. Patti Natiss, head strategist for Suburban Jungle, says, “Greenwich is a large town that offers suburban living with a cosmopolitan vibe, and the town is popular with commuters who can get to Midtown Manhattan in less than an hour.”
Westport, Connecticut
Westport, Connecticut, is another prestigious neighborhood that’s popular with professionals looking for a small-town community feel and access to cultural activities, and the beach is central to the local lifestyle. Compo Beach is a 29-acre park along the shore of Long Island Sound bordering the Saugatuck River, and residents enjoy activities both on the sand and on the boardwalk. Residents can also look forward to weekend farmers markets, shows at the Westport Country Playhouse and visits to the Museum of Contemporary Art. “Westport is popular with creatives, and there’s a lively arts and culture scene,” says Natiss.
Glencoe, Illinois
Glencoe, Illinois, is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. The area is bordered by the Chicago Botanic Garden, Cook County forest preserve and the Skokie Lagoons. If that wasn’t enough, Lake Michigan is right in your backyard. Heather Jagher, Suburban Jungle Chicago strategist, says, “Glencoe is a beautiful beach-side community with park district facilities like an ice rink, pickleball and tennis courts and a golf course.” Glencoe is also part of the New Trier High School district, a nationally recognized public high school known for its outstanding music program.
La Grange, Illinois
Just a 25-minute train ride from downtown Chicago, La Grange, Illinois, is a lively suburb with a storied historic downtown area. Parts of La Grange’s downtown are registered historic sites with several buildings dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Residents can participate in several community events throughout the year like Restaurant Week and the West End Arts Festival. “La Grange has a dense community that gives both an urban feel, but it also has a suburban feel to those who want affordable homes within a quick commute to the city,” says Heather Jagher.
Needham, Massachusetts
A suburb of Boston, Needham has easy access to Boston’s downtown area via the commuter rail. Families flock to Needham for the highly-rated public schools, and it’s also the location of Olin College, which is noted for its engineering program. Another important attraction is the Needham Free Public Library, which dates back to 1888 and holds more than 175,000 volumes. “Many of Needham’s attractions are geared toward the community,” says Barbara Hirsch, Suburban Jungle Boston strategist. “The Town Common is under renovation and reopening in the spring of 2023, and a new town pool was added in 2018.”
Winchester, Massachusetts
It only takes about 30 minutes to get to Boston from Winchester, a picturesque small town with an abundance of ponds and rivers. Another desirable feature of Winchester is its historic attractions — the downtown area, Winchester Center, is full of Victorian-era homes and buildings. “Along with its historic homes, Winchester has a unique offering of local restaurants and small businesses,” says Barbara Hirsch. “It also has a beautiful public library, and it’s also home to Fells Reservation, a 2,000-acre park.”
Lafayette, Colorado
People often move to Colorado for a year-round outdoor lifestyle, and Lafayette, just north of Denver, is an outdoor lover’s playground. Lafayette has an excellent parks system and a downtown filled with cafes, breweries and boutiques. A town highlight is the summer Peach Festival and the Lafayette Beer Festival in the fall. Lisa Tsoupelis, Suburban Jungle strategist, says, “Lafayette has a deep sense of community and last year was named one of the best places to live by Money.com.”
Littleton, Colorado
Residents of Littleton, Colorado, get nearly 250 days of sunshine a year, and a popular outdoor destination is Chatfield State Park, which is perfect for camping, kayaking and fishing. The town also has its own performing arts theater, Littleton Town Hall Arts Center, and a local museum, Littletown Museum, which has two recreated farms that portray life from the 1880s and 1890s. Only 11 miles south of Denver, Littleton is great for those who need to commute into Denver and want a slower-paced place to live. “Littleton has a small town feel and offers majestic views of the Rocky Mountains,” says Lisa Tsoupelis.
Bethesda, Maryland
Moving to Bethesda, Maryland, does not mean sacrificing entertainment and culture. Only 7 miles northwest of Washington, DC, the suburb of Bethesda has an excellent restaurant and entertainment scene. The arts and entertainment district is full of exciting venues like the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club, the Strathmore Performing Arts Theater and the Roundhouse Theater. “Bethesda is in close proximity to DC and comes with a hot dining and nightlife scene,” says Lisa Tsoupelis. “There’s literally something for everyone.”
Fairfax, Virginia
With leafy streets and charming neighborhoods, Fairfax is ideal for families who want a small-town neighborhood feel. The city lies 14 miles west of Washington, DC, and is full of historical attractions like the Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center that’s housed in the former Fairfax Elementary School, built in 1873. Fairfax also hosts several festivals each year, including the Chocolate Lovers Festival, the Fall Festival and the Holiday Craft Show. “Fairfax, Virginia, has a slower-paced environment, but there’s also a sophisticated entertainment scene,” says Lisa Tsoupelis.
Boca Raton, Florida
Families who want nearly year-round sunshine and access to beautiful beaches should consider Boca Raton, an upscale suburb in South Florida. “Boca Raton offers an escape from the congestion and fast pace of a bigger city, yet it’s an ideal location with easy access in less than one hour to Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach,” Melissa Schneider, Suburban Jungle Florida strategist, says. On the weekends, families can head to any of Boca Raton’s pristine beaches or one of the city’s 47 parks. On the weekend, downtown Boca Raton is the place to be for art galleries, outdoor concerts and fine dining.
Wesley Chapel, Florida
Wesley Chapel, Florida, is a growing community close to beaches, shopping malls and theme parks. The town is also home to the nearly 100,000-square-foot Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex, which regularly hosts basketball, volleyball and gymnastics tournaments. The planned communities in Wesley Chapel include newer-built homes with amenity-filled clubhouses, and families have several top-rated schools to choose from. “Wesley Chapel is perfectly situated — it’s under an hour to downtown Tampa, just over an hour to Orlando and an hour’s drive to the beach,” says Schneider.
Mill Valley, California
Nestled among majestic redwood trees, Mill Valley is a small town outside of San Francisco that attracts art and culture lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The town hosts the internationally acclaimed Mill Valley Film Festival, and residents can check out live performances at the Sweetwater Music Hall or the Throckmorton Theater. “Mill Valley has a one-of-a-kind natural environment and access to nature: It borders Muir Woods National Monument, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Mount Tamalpais State Park and the San Francisco Bay,” says Pam Goldman, head Bay Area strategist for Suburban Jungle.
Redwood City, California
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley about 27 miles from San Francisco, Redwood City is home to several tech companies, but it has maintained a friendly, close-knit feel. There are also several year-round community events that take place on Broadway in Downtown Redwood City. Some of the most popular events are Oktoberfest and Music on the Square, a lively summer music festival. “Redwood City has lots of energy and youthful vibes, and it’s also right between San Francisco and San Jose,” says Pam Goldman.
Dunwoody, Georgia
Dunwoody, Georgia, has easy access to Atlanta but provides a more low-key setting. “Dunwoody is only 15 minutes to midtown Atlanta and 30 minutes from Atlanta’s international airport,” Kelly Lehman, Suburban Jungle Atlanta strategist, says. “Families will love Dunwoody’s Brook Run Park which has zip lining, walking trails, a skatepark and an amphitheater.” Dunwoody also has great shopping — it’s home to one of the largest malls in the state, Perimeter Mall, which has indoor and outdoor stores, restaurants and salons.
Milton, Georgia
For families in search of acreage, Milton, Georgia, is a top pick. The suburb 30 miles north of Atlanta has a rural feel due to the horse farms and homes that sit on large lots. Milton also is consistently ranked as one of the best neighborhoods in Georgia, and those in search of a laid-back lifestyle can look forward to creek fishing, horseback riding and visiting farmers markets on the weekends, “Milton has top-tier public schools, great restaurants and shopping and a lot less traffic than most suburbs,” says Kelly Lehman.