These Are the Top Family-Friendly U.S. Suburbs, According to Realtor.com
If there’s anything that the great homebuying frenzy of 2020 taught us, it’s that buying a house these days in the hottest markets is not for the faint of heart — and the wild real estate market this year seemingly hasn’t slowed down a bit.
However, if putting down roots is still top of mind for you and your family, all hope is not lost. The experts at Realtor.com compiled data to determine the top family-friendly suburbs in the country for all of America’s “cool parents” out there.
Looking at the nation’s 11 largest cities and taking a peek at the surrounding suburbs in each metro area with at least 10,000 people, the real estate company came up with a list of the top suburbs suitable for families with children that still have plenty to offer for adults, too.
It likely won’t come as much of a surprise to hear that home buying trends of the past few years — particularly during the pandemic — have been largely fueled by millennials looking to expand their horizons beyond the hustle and bustle of city life, in favor of more space and more affordable housing options. The pandemic-induced shift to remote-friendly work added to the boom, with workers in plenty of industries suddenly able to choose housing in places not necessarily close to major metropolitan areas.
That said, proximity to the city and all it offers still remains a high priority for plenty, which is why Realtor.com wanted to look at markets that provide the best of both worlds. When looking at the data, several factors were considered, including the percentage of children living in each city, school rankings, family-friendly businesses (including day care centers), as well as necessities for parents, including bars, restaurants, and other things to do, with all having a reasonable commute time (most under 40 minutes) for those who do want to be close to their offices.
Securing the top spot is Denville, New Jersey, which boasts a commute time of less than an hour to midtown Manhattan by train and a median home price of $549,050. Along with a charming downtown, an active youth sports community, and 11 bodies of water, it’s a great option for adventurous families who like to get out of the house as often as they can. “[Denville’s] downtown has a diverse array of merchants so it’s not only restaurants. There are tons of shopping opportunities,” says Toni Kaufmann, a realtor at Realty Executives Platinum Agents and Denville native. “Within a quarter-mile of that, we have a huge recreation field with a brand-new playground, tennis courts, and basketball courts. You can pick up a game anytime,” Kaufmann added.
Rounding out the list, in order, is as follows: El Monte, California; Libertyville, Illinois; Coppell, Texas; Tomball, Texas; Exton, Pennsylvania; Olney, Maryland; Pembroke Pines, Florida; Peachtree City, Georgia; Burlington, Massachusetts; and Walnut Creek, California.
Check out the full list to see all the amenities that make each of these suburbs so special for families of all age ranges, and see which spot makes sense for your family’s needs and preferences.