The 25 best suburbs in America, each boasting family-friendly neighborhoods, good schools, and wide open spaces
- The coronavirus pandemic is accelerating mass migration to suburbs.
- Niche, a comprehensive guide to neighborhoods and schools, just released its annual ranking of best places to live based on the cost of living, crime levels, quality of schools, and more.
- Business Insider rounded up the 25 best suburbs — or neighborhoods located outside of principal cities with populations of at least 1,000 — selected by Niche.
- The metro areas with the most representation on the list are Philadelphia and Washington, DC.
The coronavirus pandemic is starting to spell out the end of big cities.
Many are considering trading in their metropolitan lives, with one-third of Americans saying they are thinking about moving to less densely populated places.
If you're entertaining the idea of making the move to greener pastures, Niche, the comprehensive neighborhood and school guide, just released its annual ranking of best places to live.
Niche ranked places to live based on the cost of living, crime levels, quality of local school systems, median household income, and more using a combination of US Census Bureau data and resident surveys. Read more about their methodology here.
The state of Pennsylvania led the list of best suburbs with five total. Maryland, Texas, and Virginia trailed behind with three a piece.
Here are the best suburbs to move to, ranked in ascending order:
25. Short Pump, Virginia
Closest major city: Richmond, Virginia
Population: 27,526
Median household income: $109,384
Median home value: $403,100
Demographic breakdown:
White64%Asian24%Black7%Hispanic3%"Short Pump is an upscale area with quality public schools," one resident wrote of Short Pump. "It is increasing its pedestrian friendliness and access to public transportation, but is still lacking in this department."
24. Sugar Land, Texas
Closest major city: Houston, Texas
Population: 118,182
Median household income: $122,233
Median home value: $309,000
Demographic breakdown:
White44%Asian36%Hispanic11%Black6%"I like how small it is, it's a nice break from Houston. There are a lot of opportunities to get involved with the history of Sugar Land, and lots of places to eat and have fun," a current resident wrote of Sugar Land.
23. Arlington, Virginia
Closest major city: Washington, DC
Population: 231,803
Median household income: $117,374
Median home value: $669,400
Demographic breakdown:
White62%Hispanic16%Asian10%Black9%"Arlington is a very clean and open-minded town with educated individuals and businesses that are dedicated to producing less waste. Many stores and retail centers are modern and well-kept. It is a family-friendly area with great public schools," one resident wrote of Arlington's positives. "However, traffic is prevalent and real estate prices are through the roof," they wrote of the negatives. "But, living a healthy lifestyle is easy in Arlington with many healthy food options and amazing trails all over!"
22. North Bethesda, Maryland
Closest major city: Washington, DC
Population: 50,263
Median household income: $105,130
Median home value: $562,400
Demographic breakdown:
White56%Hispanic15%Asian15%Black9%"The neighborhood has great and easy access to stores, good trails for a walk or run, excellent restaurants in the area," a current resident wrote of North Bethesda. "Homes are a little pricey but in my opinion, it's worth it because of accessibility and safety."
21. Madeira, Ohio
Closest major city: Cincinnati, Ohio
Population: 9,091
Median household income: $112,513
Median home value: $281,100
Demographic breakdown:
White91%Hispanic3%Asian3%Black1%"Madeira is a great small town," one resident wrote. "There are a variety of activities in the summer for families like free concerts, Shakespeare in the park, and wiffle ball league. There is also a great sense of community with everyone in the town. Everyone comes out for football games on Friday nights in the fall."
20. North Potomac, Maryland
Closest major city: Washington, DC
Population: 24,148
Median household income: $159,232
Median home value: $663,300
Demographic breakdown:
White48%Asian36%Black7%Hispanic6%"The schools in this area are good, but very competitive. There are a variety of good restaurants and shopping centers nearby. The people are overall very friendly," read one review from a North Potomac resident.
19. Coppell, Texas
Closest major city: Dallas, Texas
Population: 41,512
Median household income: $123,802
Median home value: $368,800
Demographic breakdown:
White56%Asian24%Hispanic12%Black5%"A clean, friendly, quiet neighborhood with everything within a 10-minute drive," one resident wrote of Coppell. "Going for a walk in the evening is the most pleasant thing. There are lots of lakes around here where kids and families can walk, run, and play. It is also a highly rated school district and students have a solid track record of excelling in academic activities."
18. Cinco Ranch, Texas
Closest major city: Houston, Texas
Population: 16,977
Median household income: $139,420
Median home value: $362,100
Demographic breakdown:
White62%Hispanic16%Asian16%Black5%Cinco Ranch has "great schools and family-oriented activities," according to one resident. "It is a tranquil area, where you can practice sports outside. It has all the facilities and parks needed for good entertainment."
17. Cary, North Carolina
Closest major city: Raleigh, North Carolina
Population: 163,266
Median household income: $101,079
Median home value: $337,700
Demographic breakdown:
White63%Asian18%Black8%Hispanic8%"Cary is a safe, secure, and relatively uneventful place. The streets are clean and cared for, everybody has a house and a car, anyone under eighteen goes to school," one resident wrote of Cary.
"There's not much in terms of cultural stimulation," they continued, "but it's a stable place to grow your roots in."
16. South Kensington, Maryland
Closest major city: Washington, DC
Population: 8,769
Median household income: $181,941
Median home value: $736,300
Demographic breakdown:
White80%Hispanic9%Asian4%Black3%15. Berwyn, Pennsylvania
Closest major city: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Population: 3,268
Median household income: $108,000
Median home value: $478,300
Demographic breakdown:
White83%Asian9%Black2%Hispanic0%"I have lived in Berwyn my whole life and have always felt safe, loved, and supported by my neighbors. Our public schools are very good," one resident wrote of Berwyn's positives. "The one thing I would want to change about Berwyn is its diversity," they continued.
14. Clayton, Missouri
Closest major city: St. Louis, Missouri
Population: 16,448
Median household income: $97,145
Median home value: $630,400
Demographic breakdown:
White75%Asian13%Black7%Hispanic3%Clayton is a "small but vibrant city-suburb with excellent schools," according to one resident. "Never felt unsafe in this place, and there are always things to do at any time of day."
13. Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Closest major city: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Population: 6,304
Median household income: $109,648
Median home value: $410,100
Demographic breakdown:
White80%Black6%Asian5%Hispanic3%To one resident, Swarthmore is "a very green town with a high liberal population." They added that it is situated near the Swarthmore College campus and "has a strong sense of community."
12. Stone Ridge, Virginia
Closest major city: Washington, DC
Population: 12,990
Median household income: $143,140
Median home value: $454,900
Demographic breakdown:
White42%Asian28%Black11%Hispanic9%"I love this area because of the diversity of all. It is nice to live in an area where everyone is acceptable and almost always kind to each other," one resident wrote of Stone Ridge. "Traffic and high living expenses are a downfall, but the fact that the area is so great kind of makes up for it."
11. Morrisville, North Carolina
Closest major city: Raleigh, North Carolina
Population: 25,007
Median household income: $96,489
Median home value: $317,700
Demographic breakdown:
White40%Asian38%Black12%Hispanic5%"Morrisville is a very good town, and even though it is small, it has a lot in it, like the Raleigh-Durham airport," one resident wrote. "It has many houses, shops, restaurants, grocery stores, banks," they continued.
10. Richmond Heights, Missouri
Closest major city: St. Louis, Missouri
Population: 8,457
Median household income: $78,481
Median home value: $247,500
Demographic breakdown:
White76%Black12%Asian7%Hispanic3%"I have lived in other areas of Saint Louis and can say this is my favorite so far," one resident wrote of Richmond Heights. "People are always around walking their dogs or exercising. I feel very safe here."
9. Clarendon Hills, Illinois
Closest major city: Chicago, Illinois
Population: 8,711
Median household income: $126,500
Median home value: $561,700
Demographic breakdown:
White81%Hispanic10%Asian7%Black0%Clarendon Hills, to one resident, is a "great small town with excellent schools and a cute downtown." They also said that it is "easy to get to downtown Chicago on train or highway," but cited a "lack of diversity" as a con.
8. Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Closest major city: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Population: 13,083
Median household income: $89,923
Median home value: $328,800
Demographic breakdown:
White75%Black11%Hispanic6%Asian5%"Friendly people, walkable neighborhoods, and lots of opportunities for civic engagement," make Ardmore for one resident. "Of course, there's also the popular suburban square shopping center and lots of restaurants to choose from."
7. Los Alamos, New Mexico
Closest major city: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Population: 12,373
Median household income: $106,288
Median home value: $295,600
Demographic breakdown:
White70%Hispanic18%Asian7%Black0%"Los Alamos was a great town to grow up in and would be a good place to work and raise a family," one resident wrote. "However, there are not a lot of 20-somethings in the town or a lot for people that age to do," wrote of the possible negatives. "The access to the mountains is probably the greatest thing Los Alamos has to offer!"
6. Okemos, Michigan
Closest major city: Lansing, Michigan
Population: 23,912
Median household income: $78,080
Median home value: $231,100
Demographic breakdown:
White66%Asian20%Black7%Hispanic3%One resident wrote that Okemos is a "great place to raise a family," as it is "close to Michigan State University and the State Capitol building, They also listed the "small town feeling, great schools, and friendly people," as draws.
5. Brookline, Massachusetts
Closest major city: Boston, Massachusetts
Population: 59,234
Median household income: $113,515
Median home value: $885,700
Demographic breakdown:
White70%Asian16%Hispanic8%Black3%"Brookline is an incredibly safe and friendly neighborhood that is great to raise a family in," one resident wrote. "However, Brookline is not the most diverse neighborhood and is also quite expensive," they continued.
4. Carmel, Indiana
Closest major city: Indianapolis, Indiana
Population: 90,163
Median household income: $116,867
Median home value: $330,600
Demographic breakdown:
White81%Asian10%Hispanic4%Black3%One resident listed "excellent schools, parks, and trails," as a draw for Carmel. "There are many restaurants including many small businesses and things to do around town. Residents are friendly and family oriented. Cost of living is low relative to value."
3. Penn Wynne, Pennsylvania
Closest major city: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Population: 5,758
Median household income: $131,161
Median home value: $366,200
Demographic breakdown:
White73%Asian12%Black7%Hispanic5%"Some parts of Penn Wynne have busy roads others are relatively quiet," one resident wrote. "You can get really anything you are looking for here."
2. Holly Hills, Colorado
Closest major city: Denver, Colorado
Population: 2,909
Median household income: $136,176
Median home value: $426,500
Demographic breakdown:
White88%Asian3%Hispanic3%Black2%One current resident wrote: "We love our neighbors and the location can't beat with easy access to light rail & downtown and being in the Cherry Creek School District."
1. Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania
Closest major city: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Population: 4,714
Median household income: $119,010
Median home value: $312,800
Demographic breakdown:
White64%Asian25%Black6%Hispanic1%"This is an excellent place," one resident wrote. "The people are wonderful. It is very close to all family related venues such as supermarkets, restaurants, state parks. It falls in an excellent school district."
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