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

[Anonymous]

I'd call out the suburbs west of Boston, directly to the west of Cambridge: Arlington, Lexington, Lincoln, Concord, Carlisle, Sudbury, Acton, Harvard...Newton, Brookline, Winchester are also very lovely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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!!

I had assumed the Shirlington post was a joke. No way does it hold a candle to other suburbs listed here. It's not horrible but it's not one of the best suburbs in the country

[Anonymous]

Waldorf.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:La Jolla, Scottsdale and Bethesda

I live in Bethesda, and like it, but I would not say it's the nicest suburb. While downtown Bethesda is much more of a destination than it was when I was growing up, it still isn't really a traditional town center.

+1. And Scottsdale is just awful.

[Anonymous]

I’m giggling about the CT poster that thinks an off-the-Mayflower vibe and a history of Wall Street traders is the epitome of suburban perfection. Honestly, that sounds pretty hellish. Like Desperate Housewives without the fun crazy and hot husbands.

Lexington is really lovely. There are suburbs outside Milwaukee that are also really sweet looking. We drove through a place in California that was super lovely, but it maybe was too isolated to be called a suburb—Paso Robles. It reminded me of the cute little places like Bronxville but with a California vibe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wilmette, IL. Gorgeous old homes on tree lined streets (some brick). Cute, cute walkable downtown with a train station to the Chicago loop. (<30 minute commute.) Amazing schools.

Chicago has some truly great burbs. I also nominate Glenview.

Basically this. i was going to sat Winnetka. Nicest suburbs in the entire country.

Grew up in Wilmette - but not the part with brick streets. I love Glencoe and Winnetka. Glenview is fine (I have friends there) but the architecture is not as nice as Wilmette, Winnetka and Glencoe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m giggling about the CT poster that thinks an off-the-Mayflower vibe and a history of Wall Street traders is the epitome of suburban perfection. Honestly, that sounds pretty hellish. Like Desperate Housewives without the fun crazy and hot husbands.

Lexington is really lovely. There are suburbs outside Milwaukee that are also really sweet looking. We drove through a place in California that was super lovely, but it maybe was too isolated to be called a suburb—Paso Robles. It reminded me of the cute little places like Bronxville but with a California vibe.

That CT poster was hilarious. Maybe a troll just having some fun? Either way, pretty funny.

I love Paso Robles. Not a suburb, but definitely charming.

[Anonymous]

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

Seriously! Got a huge kick out of that.

+1 Chicago area. There are some amazingly distinct suburban towns throughout the area. North Shore towns are especially charming, but there are also some great suburbs along the rail lines leading into Downtown... Barrington, Arlington Heights, St. Charles, Des Plaines, Geneva. As someone else mentioned, many of the John Hughes and classic teen movies from the 80s, 90s, 2000s were set in the Chicago suburbs so it really feels like quintessential Americana.

[Anonymous]

GET ME THE HELL OUT OF DC! I'll take ANY of these suburbs even though I'm a city person. HELP!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd call out the suburbs west of Boston, directly to the west of Cambridge: Arlington, Lexington, Lincoln, Concord, Carlisle, Sudbury, Acton, Harvard...Newton, Brookline, Winchester are also very lovely.

I grew up in this area. All of these towns are nice, but many of them are plagued by really bad traffic these days, and I feel that has negatively impacted their charm and character a bit.

[Anonymous]

I’m a city girl, but Lincoln, Mass is pretty idyllic. I live there half the time, and it is pretty pandemic-perfect. So many beautiful trails and grocery shopping is done at the most adorable serve yourself farm/barn. No traffic in town, but not much else there either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a city girl, but Lincoln, Mass is pretty idyllic. I live there half the time, and it is pretty pandemic-perfect. So many beautiful trails and grocery shopping is done at the most adorable serve yourself farm/barn. No traffic in town, but not much else there either.

Which barn -- signed, a nearby resident

[Anonymous]

Lincoln lovers: my spouse grew up there & while I agree it's lovely. the lack of sewage & corresponding requirement to have septic would be a deal-killer for me!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a city girl, but Lincoln, Mass is pretty idyllic. I live there half the time, and it is pretty pandemic-perfect. So many beautiful trails and grocery shopping is done at the most adorable serve yourself farm/barn. No traffic in town, but not much else there either.

Which barn -- signed, a nearby resident

https://codmancommunityfarms.org/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lincoln lovers: my spouse grew up there & while I agree it's lovely. the lack of sewage & corresponding requirement to have septic would be a deal-killer for me!!

I don’t love not having a garbage disposal, but that is the only way that it affects my life. The much bigger downside to me is having to take the trash to the dump. I’m a downtown condo dweller, so that is a big change, such a big one that it often makes more sense to just drive recycling down to DC, which seems much more ridiculous than it is.