What are the nicest U.S. suburbs you've ever visited?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem with the Midwest is that it takes soooo long to get anywhere. Even from Chicago, what is there...Lake Michigan? So many more options within 2-4 hrs in your average east coast town. That’s why I’d always pick an east coast suburb...of course California is paradise too

First Lake Michigan is awesome. I would take Lake Michigan over the Long Island Sound. And even though I am a native NYer, I actually prefer Chicago as a city. That said, it is true that when I lived in Chicago I felt that there were not as many different things within driving distance for a day or weekend trip than when I lived in the northeast. But in terms of the attributes of the town/suburb itself, the Chicago suburbs are tough to beat.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Kailua, outside of Honolulu.

Most of my family lives in Honolulu (gosh I like typing that word) but if I ever move back it will be to Kailua. Bike-able everywhere.

Born and raised in Honolulu. Kailua is pretty, but the architecture is very hit-or-miss. If you want nice homes and the water, Diamond Head or Portlock are much nicer than Kailua.

I am not thinking about rich or impressive. I love the vibe of Kailua. Portlock is nasty rich, no vibe. Not bike-able or walk-able to anything. My church (Unity) is on Diamond Head, and my nieces went to La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls on Diamond Head, but I don't find them particularly charming in an "i want to live there" way.

I lived in Waikiki (The Wailana) and Hawaii Kai for 5 years. All in, I love Waikiki the most. But it's not a suburb.

Touristy.

[Anonymous]

The Chicago suburbs are nice, but you're also marooned in Illinois, and a cute town center can only go so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with the Midwest is that it takes soooo long to get anywhere. Even from Chicago, what is there...Lake Michigan? So many more options within 2-4 hrs in your average east coast town. That’s why I’d always pick an east coast suburb...of course California is paradise too

First Lake Michigan is awesome. I would take Lake Michigan over the Long Island Sound. And even though I am a native NYer, I actually prefer Chicago as a city. That said, it is true that when I lived in Chicago I felt that there were not as many different things within driving distance for a day or weekend trip than when I lived in the northeast. But in terms of the attributes of the town/suburb itself, the Chicago suburbs are tough to beat.

PP from the previous post. Agreed. The suburbs themselves are great, but beyond them, there's a whole lotta nothing in terms of day trips, variety and so forth.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:La Jolla, CA.
Germantown, Columbus OH
Highland Park, Dallas
Pacific Palisades, CA

There is no Germantown outside of Columbus. German Village is a neighborhood in Columbus.

Yep, I wanted to write German Village.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:La Jolla, Scottsdale and Bethesda

La Jolla is a city not a suburb.

[Anonymous]

Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate MA. Coastal, rich history, lovely town centers with local small businesses and restaurants.

[Anonymous]

La Jolla is essentially a San Diego suburb.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:CT’s Gold Coast - Greenwich, Darien, Westport, New Canaan

Grew up in Westport. You can add Southport. Redding, Ridgefield, Madison, Weston ....

But not nicer than the Chicago suburbs....

No sorry, but CT beats any midwestern town by far

Why? I'm from Westport and think north shore suburbs of chicago are very similar but more charming and shorter/cheaper commutes into the city.

I'm not from either but have spent time in both and have to say those north shore Chicago suburbs are more charming.

I think Westport is lovely and so is Newton, Mass and so are Carmel, CA and LaJolla (although not really “suburbs”)....but the BEST suburb in All of America is the North Shore of Chicago.

So, no, sadly, CT does not “beat any midwestern town by far.” Not Winnetka.

oh PLEASE. Completely disagree. The Gold Coast of CT is one of the wealthiest places IN THE WORLD. Look it up. CT has an "off the mayflower" feel that can't be replicated by anything else. It's not just a money thing. The history, the abundance of private schools and clubs, the nautical feel, the generations of wall streeters that have made their homes there....sigh..you have to get it.
North shore became affluent AFTER WORLD WAR II for heavens sake....

Connecticut people suddenly freaking out their suburbs aren’t the nicest 🤣

[Anonymous]

Lake Forest, IL at Christmas is straight out of a Currier and Ives scene. New Canaan, CT and Greenwich very nice. It is hard to beat Chicago North Shore towns like Kenilworth, Winnetka and Lake Forest. On west coast Danville/Alamo area is very special

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem with the Midwest is that it takes soooo long to get anywhere. Even from Chicago, what is there...Lake Michigan? So many more options within 2-4 hrs in your average east coast town. That’s why I’d always pick an east coast suburb...of course California is paradise too

First Lake Michigan is awesome. I would take Lake Michigan over the Long Island Sound. And even though I am a native NYer, I actually prefer Chicago as a city. That said, it is true that when I lived in Chicago I felt that there were not as many different things within driving distance for a day or weekend trip than when I lived in the northeast. But in terms of the attributes of the town/suburb itself, the Chicago suburbs are tough to beat.

From birth to age 40 I lived in NY metro area - including Greenwich and New Canaan. Then I moved to the Chicago north shore. It is so much nicer than NY suburbs and the city is much nicer. COL is lower, schools are better, people are friendlier, city is great. But, the winters are too damn long.

[Anonymous]

Falls church, Shirlington, Sterling

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:La Jolla is essentially a San Diego suburb.

It’s a neighborhood of San Diego.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:CT’s Gold Coast - Greenwich, Darien, Westport, New Canaan

Grew up in Westport. You can add Southport. Redding, Ridgefield, Madison, Weston ....

But not nicer than the Chicago suburbs....

No sorry, but CT beats any midwestern town by far

Why? I'm from Westport and think north shore suburbs of chicago are very similar but more charming and shorter/cheaper commutes into the city.

I'm not from either but have spent time in both and have to say those north shore Chicago suburbs are more charming.

I think Westport is lovely and so is Newton, Mass and so are Carmel, CA and LaJolla (although not really “suburbs”)....but the BEST suburb in All of America is the North Shore of Chicago.

So, no, sadly, CT does not “beat any midwestern town by far.” Not Winnetka.

oh PLEASE. Completely disagree. The Gold Coast of CT is one of the wealthiest places IN THE WORLD. Look it up. CT has an "off the mayflower" feel that can't be replicated by anything else. It's not just a money thing. The history, the abundance of private schools and clubs, the nautical feel, the generations of wall streeters that have made their homes there....sigh..you have to get it.
North shore became affluent AFTER WORLD WAR II for heavens sake....

What’s inspiring you to write this drivel? A coffee table picture book? Hollywood depictions of Fairfield County? You sound like someone who’s never set foot in Connecticut.

[Anonymous]

With all due respect to Shirlington, mentioned above, I wouldn't call it a nice suburb. It's a convenient place off of the highway full of beige condos and somewhat decent restaurants. And I say this as someone who lived there for many years!!