Moving to the ‘Burbs? 10 Fantastic Suburbs in America to Call Home

To move to the ‘burbs or not to move to the ‘burbs – that is the question for many city professionals these days.

While living in a big city certainly comes with its advantages (namely jobs, culture, and diversity), typical suburban life has its own upsides, including top-rated public schools, low crime, affordable neighborhoods, more space, lower cost of living, and less traffic – just to name a few. For these reasons, many urban dwellers (especially those with school-age children) eventually trade in their tiny 6th floor walk-ups for spacious 4-bedroom homes in the ‘burbs.

Fortunately, suburbia isn’t all cookie-cutter homes, Costcos and PTAs. No, in fact, there are suburbs in America that actually have plenty to offer, on top of the usual suburban amenities (we promise!). From hip restaurants and boutique shopping to fine dining and unique architecture, these 10 suburbs below have established themselves as first-class cities in their own right.

Brentwood, TN

The wealthy, well-to-do community of Brentwood is located just south of Nashville. With easy access to “Music City,” as well as its own assortment of fabulous restaurants, shops, bike trails and parks, Brentwood is an ideal suburb for families. The city also boasts numerous recreational opportunities and a top public school system. Given its long list of it positives, it should come as no surprise that the City of Brentwood was recently included in Business Insider’s “50 Best Suburbs in America” list.

Median Home Price: The median listing price for a home in Brentwood is $709,000, according to Realtor.com .

Population: The population of Brentwood is 37,060, according to World Population Review .

Coral Gables, FL

Located just 20 minutes south of Miami’s bright lights, Coral Gables is a fantastic place to call home for young professionals, families and retirees. It’s also far from being your typical “boring” suburb. The South Florida city offers plenty to do and see – including stunning architecture, trendy restaurants and high-end shopping. Coral Gables is also home to the University of Miami and the iconic Venetian Pool.

Median Home Price: The median listing price for a home in Coral Gables is $852,000, according to Realtor.com .

Population: The population of Coral Gables is 46,780, according to World Population Review .

Franklin Park, PA

If you’re looking for an excellent place to raise your family near Pittsburgh, I recommend exploring nearby Franklin Park. Located a short 20-minute drive northwest of Pittsburgh, this Borough offers quick access to all that the region has to offer, including a highly-rated hospital system, plenty of cultural activities and top universities. Franklin Park was even rated as the number one Pittsburgh suburb for raising a family by Niche.com . The city received high marks for its excellent public school system and friendly environment.

Median Home Price: The median listing price for a home in Franklin Park is $225,000, according to Realtor.com .

Population: The population of Franklin Park is 13,470, according to World Population Review .

Marietta, GA

With its low cost of living, family-friendly environment and picturesque downtown, Marietta has quickly become a popular haven for those living and working in the Atlanta area. Located just 20 miles outside the city, Marietta offers an ideal setting for raising school-age children and is known for having some of the best public schools in the region. The city is also a good match for retirees and was named as one of the top 25 places in America to retire by CNN Money .

Median Home Price: The median listing price for a home in Marietta is $359,000, according to Realtor.com .

Population: The population of Marietta is 56,579, according to World Population Review .

Newton, MA

Located just west of Boston, Newton is a well-to-do, bedroom community made up of 13 unique and charming “villages.” The Boston suburb was recently named one of the “Best Places to Live in America” by Money and continues to garner praise and accolades from numerous other news sources as well. With its small town feel and big city amenities, Newton attracts professionals and families looking for low crime rates, excellent schools, good eats and an overall high quality of life.

Median Home Price: The median listing price for a home in Newton is $1.5M, according to Realtor.com .

Population: The population of Newton is 85,146, according to World Population Review .

Piedmont, CA

The small, suburban city of Piedmont is located 13 miles outside the cultural mecca of San Francisco. With city parks galore, beautiful surroundings and plenty of outdoor activities, this West Coast enclave is a true commuter’s playground. It’s also a popular spot for families. The city’s top public schools, low crime rates and slew of amenities make it an exceptionally livable area in the San Francisco Bay Area. Recently, it was also named Business Insider’s 6th Best Suburb in America.

Median Home Price: The median listing price for a home in Piedmont is $884,000, according to Realtor.com .

Population: The population of Piedmont is 10,667, according to World Population Review .

Plano, TX

This Dallas suburb is famously home to some of the biggest corporations around, including Frito-Lay and Toyoto. The city also offers top schools, a low crime rate and a fantastic environment for families and professionals. Don’t believe us? Plano recently earned the number three spot in Money ‘s 2016 Best Places to Live list, and was ranked as one of the Happiest and Healthiest Cities in America by Prevention magazine.

Median Home Price: The median listing price for a home in Plano is $400,000, according to Realtor.com .

Population: The population of Plano is 259,841, according to World Population Review .

Rockville, MD

Looking to escape the political bubble of Washington, DC? Try moving to Rockville, Maryland. For those with young children, Rockville is an ideal spot to put down roots. Located north of DC, the city offers plenty of amenities and top-rated schools. Livability recently named Rockville as one of the “Best Cities for Families,” thanks to its high percentage of school-age children and excellent science and technology-focused schools.

Median Home Price: The median listing price for a home in Rockville is $615,000, according to Realtor.com .

Population: The population of Rockville is 61,209, according to World Population Review .

Stamford, CT

If you work in New York City and don’t mind a long commute, I recommend considering Stamford. As part of the Greater New York Metropolitan Area, the city is roughly an hour-long train ride away from all that the glitzy NYC skyline has to offer. Stamford residents also deal with less crime than big city living, and have plenty of cultural activities and entertainment options to keep them busy. In addition, Stamford is home to multiple Fortune 500 companies, a thriving financial district and numerous businesses. Its strong economy makes it a top contender for those who want to live near New York City but not necessarily in New York City.

Median Home Price: The median listing price for a home in Stamford is $599,000, according to Realtor.com .

Population: The population of Stamford is 122,643, according to World Population Review .

Winnetka, IL

Located 40 minutes away from the bustling streets of Chicago, the Village of Winnetka offers residents an ideal place for raising a family outside the city. It’s so ideal, in fact, that Niche.com recently named this Chicago suburb the 7th Best Place to Live in Illinois. With its pricey housing market, posh settings and low crime rates, Winnetka tends to attract a highly educated, moneyed crowd to its Village. However, given that the city also boasts A+ rated public schools, as well as beautiful neighborhoods and a slew of community events, it’s easy to see why parents of young children choose to make Winnetka their home.

Median Home Price: The median listing price for a home in Winnetka is $1.1M, according to Realtor.com .

Population: The population of Winnetka is 12,187, according to World Population Review .

Ready to move?

To learn more about these cities, check out Moving.com’s City Profile Report feature. Our reports include city demographics, real estate, economic makeup, income, education, and residential information. Simply enter the zip code or the state and city of your potential move, and get a free report at the click of a button. And if you think you want to make one of these cities your new home, you’re going to need to hire professionals to handle your relocation. After all, moving from the city to the ‘burbs can be a complicated process. To find a trustworthy moving company , check out Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers – all licensed and insured. By choosing a Moving.com mover, you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. Good luck and happy moving!