As competition for suburb inventory continues to be stiff across the country, Realtor.com has taken a look at which suburbs offer the best bang for the family buck. To come up with the list of suburbs for America’s cool moms and dads, analysts looked at the surrounding suburbs—with at least 10,000 people—in each of the nation’s largest metro area. Taking into account the percentage of children living in each city, school rankings and family-friendly businesses (including day care centers), in addition to the number of restaurants, bars, and things to do, as well as a reasonable commute (most are under 40 minutes), Denville, New Jersey came in at the top spot.
Denville is less than an hour by train to midtown Manhattan, yet offers a reprieve from the city’s hustle and bustle. A charming downtown area features plenty of dining, while 11 neighboring bodies of water make the area a popular summer destination. The median home price in July in Danville was $549,050.
Coming in at no. 2is the only SoCal suburb on the list—El Monte. Located less than 20 miles from Downtown Los Angeles, El Monte offers plenty of things to do locally with kids on the weekend without heading into the city, according to the survey. The Tyler Avenue Heritage District is home to two museums, an aquatic center, and the city also hosts family-friendly events throughout the year, including the Emily Ishigaki Children’s Day Parade in October. The median home price in July was $599,050.
Libertyville, Illinois came in at no. 3, with high marks for proximity to Lake Michigan. On the first Friday of each month, local merchants feature art, music, and refreshments, and a weekly farmers market runs from May-October. Additionally, the Adler Arts Center is also a popular destination and offers art camps and classes to children year-round. The median home price in July was $565,050.
To read more on the rest of the top 11 suburbs, click here.