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[quote=Anonymous]We've lived in the NYC suburbs (Montclair, NJ) and the DC suburbs (Bethesda). Here's my take on it:

NYC:  suburbs are more removed, so it's harder to get in and out of the city. Property taxes are high ($30k on a million dollar home), however schools are local rather than county-based, which can be nice (or terrible, depending on the town you choose to live in). Lots of charming, old housing stock in towns like Montclair, Westfield, Maplewood or suburbs in Westchester.

DC: Much easier access to downtown from the suburbs. Maybe a 20 minute metro ride from Bethesda. Housing is a bit more costly here than in Montclair, NJ, however property taxes are much lower. Montgomery County schools are very good, however being in such a large school district feels annoyingly bureaucratic at times. So many of the homes even in the milion dollar range in the DC suburbs are pretty ugly. I've never in my life seen so many ramblers and split levels that look like glorified military housing. Not my idea of charm.

Also we like the general vibe of DC with the diversity of people from various countries and love the museums and other free stuff to do. Do not care as much for the fact that everyone around DC seems to be employed in law or government. NYC area was much more diverse in this respect -- our town had people in finance, artists, writers, as well as scientists, doctors and lawyers.
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