How We Chose the Coolest Suburbs in America
Methodology
Wondering how we defined "cool?" Want to know exactly what makes a "suburb?" Check out our full methodology.
May 22, 2019
Alexandria, Virginia
Coolest Suburbs
Its history, trendy vibe, and proximity to Washington, D.C. afford the suburb its unique flavor.
May 22, 2019
Winter Park, Florida
Coolest Suburbs
Brick streets, historic neighborhoods, and a mini-version of Manhattan’s Central Park paint one sublime picture of the Orlando suburb.
May 22, 2019
Arlington, Texas
Class of 2019 Superlatives
This city west of Dallas holds the spot as the most Googled burb.
May 22, 2019
Arvada, Colorado
Coolest Suburbs
Arvada has been described by residents as the best of both worlds—a place that has a small-town charm with big city perks.
May 22, 2019
Alameda, California
Coolest Suburbs
The island is a small town close to SF with bike-able streets, beaches, and a lively downtown shopping district.
May 22, 2019
Royal Oak, Michigan
Coolest Suburbs
You’ll also find an assortment of businesses that include everything from coffee shops to record stores in a downtown scene replete with outdoor pianos for anyone to stop and play.
May 22, 2019
Hoboken, New Jersey
Class of 2019 Superlatives
Everything in this New York City suburb is within a single mile, and the area boasts bike paths and parks galore.
May 22, 2019
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Class of 2019 Superlatives
CVNP has more than 125 miles of hiking trails, according to the National Park Service.
May 22, 2019
Naperville, Illinois
Class of 2019 Superlatives
The burb west of Chicago posted about 13,400 listings on Etsy last year.
May 22, 2019
Maplewood, New Jersey
Coolest Suburbs
Maplewood, New Jersey—home to colonial houses sitting beneath blossoming Magnolia trees—can make a suburban convert out of any hip New Yorker.
May 22, 2019
Denton, Texas
Coolest Suburbs
The Dallas burb's downtown area has won awards for being one of America’s best main streets, with family-owned small businesses lining the historic courthouse square.
May 22, 2019
Somerville, Massachusetts
Coolest Suburbs
There are old-school pizza spots, midnight screenings of classic movies, and a roving music festival called Porchfest that takes place on—well, porches across the Boston suburb.
May 22, 2019
Belmont, North Carolina
Coolest Suburbs
Located just 15 miles from Charlotte, the suburb of Belmont boasts an enticing mix of culture, outdoor recreation, and friendly neighbors.
May 22, 2019
Evanston, Illinois
Coolest Suburbs
The idyllic first suburb north of Chicago is brimming with excitement and culture—full of restaurants, bars and beaches.
May 22, 2019
Pasadena, California
Coolest Suburbs
This Los Angeles suburb nestled in the San Gabriel Mountains is chock full of cultural gems that make it unique.
May 22, 2019
Kirkwood, Missouri
Coolest Suburbs
Kirkwood is more than just a suburb of St. Louis. It has its own unique identity and history, which residents treasure.
May 22, 2019
Round Rock, Texas
Coolest Suburbs
Round Rock, one of the fastest-growing cities of its size, has a constant outcrop of new restaurants, free live music, and events for sports fans—even for those into quidditch!
May 22, 2019
Beaverton, Oregon
Coolest Suburbs
The burb's many transplants often say things like “I would’ve moved here a decade ago if I’d known how nice people are.”
May 22, 2019
A Small San Francisco Condo’s Style Is “Gentleman Chic Meets Cozy Traditional”
You have to see the small but AMAZING bathroom reno.
May 21, 2019
This Famous Playwright’s NYC Loft Is an Exposed Brick Oasis
Here’s your chance to own a piece of New York dramatic history. The expansive Tribeca loft previously owned by playwright Edward Albee is currently on the market for $7.5 million, after undergoing a $1.5 million price cut. But if you’re a fan of Albee’s iconic works like “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” then you’re well aware this property is priceless.
May 21, 2019
7 Decorative Mirrors That Double as Wall Art
A good-looking mirror can upgrade any area of your home in seconds. But what to do when you want to be able to check your lipstick in something with a little more pizazz than a traditional wall mirror? Good news: we did our research and discovered that the web is brimming with beautifully designed mirrors that look more like artwork than functional decor. From a lip-shaped stunner to a woven starburst style, here are seven artsy mirrors that will instantly liven up your space.
May 21, 2019
A Synesthete’s Home Is Minimal and Muted for a Very Specific Reason
Name: Abi Dare Location: Horfield, Bristol Size: 1000 square feet Years Lived In: 4 years, owned Minimalism isn’t exactly a new design concept these days, but there’s a really valid reason why stylist and blogger Abi Dare is drawn to neutral colors. “I have a condition called synaesthesia, which is when one sense merges with another rather than being experienced separately,” Abi says.
May 21, 2019
16 Beautiful Rooms That Prove Black Walls Are Totally Accessible
As much as we love bold paint colors and artful wallpaper, there’s something just so good about plain black walls. They’re luxe-looking, moody in the best way possible, and work in both minimalist and maximalist spaces. Better yet, dark walls are less likely to show wear and tear (does anyone else feel like they spend way too much time purchasing and repurchasing Magic Erasers?!). Here are 16 black rooms that might convince you to join the dark side.
May 21, 2019
9 Bar Stools That Won’t Break the Bank
These aren't your favorite dive bar's stools.
May 21, 2019
A Cozy London House Will Make You Love Wood-Paneled Walls
This small and cozy home was renovated almost entirely by the owners themselves.
May 21, 2019
How To Choose the Right Size Lamp Shade
Whether you’re buying something new or updating the old, pairing a new shade with a lamp can be tricky. We’ve got a few tips for you to keep in mind while you shop for that perfect shade. Measuring tape Lamp Remember these five things: The bottom edge of the lampshade should fall midway on the neck of the lamp. You don’t want the socket or the switch to be visible. When shade shopping, the shade size refers to the width across the bottom of the shade.
May 21, 2019
Andrea’s Mini Urban Farm
Name: Andrea Bellamy and Ben Garfinkel, their daughter Lila, and Schnoopette the cat Location: Vancouver, British ColumbiaYears lived in: 5 yearsAndrea Bellamy and Ben Garfinkel grow plants in every nook and cranny they can find around their urban townhouse. Potted tomatoes and herbs grace their balcony and front patio, the couple share raised beds with their neighbors above their parking garage, and they planted a woodland garden in their cozy back patio area.
May 21, 2019
How To “Custom” Frame Odd Sized Images
We have looked into framing many an odd sized image, and more often than not a custom framing job really breaks the bank. Here is a little tutorial on “custom” framing your own images for far less than a professional framer. standard frame, larger than your image paint (if desired) custom cut mat acid-free artist’s tape acid-free paper 1. Select and paint your frame. We chose a frame in raw wood (saved a few bucks there) and opted to paint it matte green with acrylic paint.
May 21, 2019
Quick Tip #2: How To Cover Up Scratches on Wooden Furniture
Every well-run home is teeming with tricks and shortcuts to keep it humming along. We’re sharing our best quick tips — for cleaning, organizing and repairing stuff at home — to save you time and money. Click through for today’s helpful hint, and links to tons more… Use a WALNUT! Just rub a shelled walnut on the damaged area, and watch in amazement as the dings, scrapes and scratches all begin to darken and disappear.
May 21, 2019
How To Clean Your Jeans Without Water (In the Freezer!)
Here’s an oldy but a goody that’s even more relevant now as MORE people are doing it… I recently bought my first pair of “serious” jeans. The reason I know this is because as I was standing at the register about to pay A LOT of money for them, a cool dude who was standing next to me at the register said, “Oh, you’re going to like those.” “Do you have a pair?” I asked him.
May 21, 2019
How To Clean a Power Outlet
This is slightly embarrassing but my power outlets are…grodie. Doesn’t it look like it’s crying out? It would be one thing if it was hidden behind the sofa but this is in plain view above the stove. However with a little elbow grease (about the amount of a Smurf) it’s clean, clean, clean.ToolsQ-tips Formula 409ScrewdriverRazor Blade (if you have excess caulking to remove) 1. Shut your power off.2. Remove the power plate cover.
May 21, 2019
How To Prevent & Get Rid Of Pantry Moths
Pantry moth infestations are most frustrating. At the same time, I am committed to using natural, non-toxic, and mostly no-kill methods to deal with pantry moths. Here are the methods we recommend to get rid of them and effectively prevent further infestation. If you suspect you have pantry moths, first inspect everything in your pantry. Although moths tend to infest flours and grains, you should also check dried fruit, candy, pet food, etc.
May 21, 2019
Before and After: A Cramped ‘80s Kitchen Gets Upgraded to First Class
See this "coffin of a kitchen" open up.
May 21, 2019
44 of the Best Chores for Kids, by Age
You're letting them know that you trust them, you're counting on them, and that they're an indispensable part of their family unit.
May 20, 2019
A 480-Square-Foot Home Is This Designer’s “Unicorn Apartment”
It's not only affordable but it's also comfortable and beautiful!
May 20, 2019
How to Grow Herbs Indoors
There’s nothing better than cooking with something you’ve grown and harvested with your own hands. But not everyone is blessed with the space for a vegetable garden or even a vertical garden on a balcony or terrace. That’s okay! You can still pretend to be Meryl Streep in It’s Complicated and harvest the heck out of a window full of herbs in your kitchen.  Here’s how.Some herbs thrive indoors, and some don’t.
May 20, 2019
A Barcelona Home Blends Natural Materials and Minimalism Beautifully
Name: Esther Lopez Aguilar, her partner Dani, and Alma Location: Barcelona, Spain Size: 1,614 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, renting This amazing apartment renovation in Barcelona’s “El Born” neighborhood is full of the soul of its interior designer inhabitant, Esther Lopez Aguilar, the founder of loag studio. Esther shares the minimal home with her partner Dani and daughter Alma.
May 20, 2019
Say “Bonjour” to Relaxation in This Stunning Treehouse Retreat in France
If Belle from “Beauty and the Beast” were to live in our modern times, she’d be all over this charming treehouse. About 300 miles south of Paris is this incredible treehouse rental, just an hour outside the historical, charming town Brive-la-Gaillarde. The treehouse is the most idyllic escape that will make you feel like you’re hiding away from reality.The house sleeps four, complete with two bedrooms: one with a queen-sized bed and the other with two twins.
May 20, 2019
The Mistake Most People Make When Choosing Between Flat-Rate and Hourly Movers
There's a good chance you're either over- or underestimating how long your move will take.
May 19, 2019
We Reimagined Famous ‘Game of Thrones’ Castles as Modern-Day Homes, and We’re Ready to Move In
Welcome to UnReal Estate, where we take characters from pop culture and reimagine their fantasy spaces into homes fit for the “real world.”After eight years, more than 70 episodes, and innumerable fan theories, the grand finale of HBO’s epic fantasy series “Game of Thrones” is finally here. Now that our watch is officially ended—and after this, let’s just say, controversial final season—we thought it would be fun to have some lighthearted GOT fun.
May 19, 2019
These Are the Most Popular ‘Game of Thrones’ Houses by State
At the onset of the final season of “Game of Thrones,” Joybird created a quiz so that you could finally figure out which of the nine main family houses—Stark, Targaryen, Lannister, Tully, Tyrell, Baratheon, Greyjoy, Arryn, and Martell—you belonged to. Are you a ruler who craves power or the love of your people? Would you be loyal to your friend no matter what, or ask questions before sticking your neck out for them?
May 16, 2019
The Cutest Houseboats to Rent, Starting at $99/Night
Start your day waking up to peaceful views of a lake, ocean, or river and end with gently rocking waves lulling you to sleep. What could be better?
May 19, 2019
These Classic $10 Organizers Will Double Your Cabinet Space
They offer next-level organization, save me time, and preserve my mental balance
May 19, 2019
Rooms In Bloom: 14 Fabulous Floral Arrangements from Our House Tours
Fresh flowers are one of life’s ultimate indulgences: they’re beautiful, they’re fabulous, they’re gone before you know it. Here are 14 gorgeous, ephemeral arrangements from our House Tours and a discussion of just what makes them work so well— besides their own gorgeousness, of course… Danielle’s Charming, Classic Chicago Walk-Up: Ranunculus Ah, the sweetest little cabbages of the floral world.
May 19, 2019
The Things You Need to Do Right This Second If You Are Moving This Summer
Moving is already a pain under the best circumstances, but there are even more reasons to dread it during the summer. It’s when the vast majority of moves take place, says Adam Doron, CEO of Unpakt, a booking and pricing site for movers. Because demand is high, prices are often at a premium and logistics are trickier than in other times of the year. But you don’t have to abandon your possessions curbside, Oregon Trail-style.
May 18, 2019
The Most Controversial Design Trends, According to Real Estate Agents
You might not think of real estate agents as experts in interior design. But—given the sheer volume of homes they see—they certainly have some valuable insight to offer. They see firsthand how design can be a detriment when selling a home.Many buyers have the ability to look past cosmetic aspects of a house, like design or finishes, and focus on the important things (the bones of the house, the layout, the location, etc.).
May 18, 2019
A Wine Brand Wants to Send You to the South of France to Create Rosé Content
There are worse ways to spend your summer.
May 18, 2019