i hate the dc burbs! are there ANY like philly or boston burbs?

[Anonymous]

I have to admit that I can't stand the way the burbs are set up/built in DC.
Are there any burbs like the Main Line outside of Philly or outside of Boston? Older trees, walkable little towns of their own?

[Anonymous]

Don't know very well, but Kensington comes to mind.

[Anonymous]

Alexandria?

[Anonymous]

I've been to the Main Line and I have been to suburbs of Boston and they are different from eachother. If you are looking for walkable towns with lots of trees maybe Old Town Alexandria, Reston, McLean, Arlington, Bethesda or Chevy Chase?

[Anonymous]

No.

[Anonymous]

OP, I know what you mean. BARF! C-o-o-k-i-e C-u-t-t-e-r!!

I think it's where the "maybe it's you" poster lives - because quality of life is not exactly familiar to her

I happen to know both (and other) areas you mention - unfortunately, no there is not the character you see elsewhere here

Kind analogous, sadly. I sympathize with you, OP.

Would gladly join a Northeast group if one is formed, however.

[Anonymous]

Umm from the mainline and I think there are places that remind me of it-Mclean for sure (obviously not the section with the 60's houses but then again there are parts of the mainline that are not pristine), hmm Great Falls VA, parts of Bethesda and Potomac--difference here is that unlike mainline philly where everyone is white..there is diversity here which is nice. And I could also see Kensington in the mix.

[Anonymous]

I'm with you OP. There is just nothing like the Boston suburbs around here.

Maybe it's because the Boston suburbs are older? DC's suburbs just don't compare. We ended up in Montgomery County.

[Anonymous]

Bostonian here, and sadly, no, not really.

Close-in Silver Spring is sort of comparable, but only if you really stretch and look for it.

[Anonymous]

Lots of tiny houses on huge lots here.

You won't see the huge houses on huge lots, all different, like you are accustomed to. Definitely won't see the number of trees. Absolutely won't see the education. And forget about the smiling faces.

[Anonymous]

OP, I now live in the Philly suburbs (Main Line) and while there are lots of little towns they are, with only an exception or two, mostly not set up for walking. There's no street life, barely one decent restaurant. We have beautiful trees for sure, beautiful houses, hardly any traffic, but it's not all wine and roses. I miss being able to sit outdoors in Bethesda and have a nice glass of wine at a cafe table, or just eat decently without having to drive into the city.

[Anonymous]

I'm from the Boston suburbs and went to school in Philly and I'm not sure what the OP is complaining about. Sure, there are differences in geography and economic structure between all three places, but to me there are more similarities than differences. Try living in an urban environment in another part of the country!

[Anonymous]

Re: the PP who mentioned McLean... I'm under the impression that you can't buy a cardboard box to live in in McLean for less than $800k. Is that inaccurate?

I lived on the Main Line for years, and the nice thing there was that normal people with normal salaries could buy nice homes on pretty blocks in good school districts. You could even, with a bit of searching and patience, find all these things within a few blocks of a rail line that goes straight into the city.

[Anonymous]

OP, check out Rosemont and Beverly hills in Alexandria. You will love them.

[Anonymous]

I know what the OP is talking about. I grew up in northern NJ, and there, as in Philly and Boston, you find suburban towns with main streets and very defined centers of town. Totally lacking in DC burbs, unless you go out to Leesburg or a place like Occoquan. I always say it is the number one thing I miss living in this area. Otherwise, I love it here.