Excellent suburban living, safety, robust healthcare systems, good public transit, and quality schools are often a top priority for families. Based on these criteria, here are some of the best options:
1. North Carolina
- Affordability: Moderate home prices, especially in Raleigh and Charlotte suburbs.
- Safety: Known for safe communities such as Cary and Apex.
- Healthcare: Excellent medical facilities, including Duke University Hospital and UNC Health.
- Schools: Many top-rated schools, especially in the Research Triangle area.
- Activities: Parks, hiking trails, sports, museums, and cultural activities.
- Public Transit: Reliable public transportation options, especially in larger cities.
2. Texas (Austin Suburbs)
- Affordability: While home prices in Austin are rising, suburban areas like Round Rock and Pflugerville remain relatively affordable.
- Safety: Suburbs are known for low crime rates.
- Healthcare: World-class hospitals like Baylor Scott & White and Texas Children's Hospital.
- Schools: Several highly ranked school districts, such as Eanes ISD and Round Rock ISD.
- Activities: Year-round outdoor activities, sports, and entertainment options.
- Public Transit: Expanding transit system in and around Austin.
3. Indiana
- Affordability: Indiana offers some of the most affordable homes in suburban areas like Carmel and Fishers.
- Safety: Carmel consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in the U.S.
- Healthcare: Renowned hospitals, including Indiana University Health.
- Schools: Carmel and Zionsville school districts are among the top-ranked.
- Activities: Sports, parks, community events, and cultural activities.
- Public Transit: Decent public transportation options in the Indianapolis area.
4. Ohio (Columbus Suburbs)
- Affordability: Suburbs like Dublin and Westerville offer reasonably priced homes.
- Safety: Known for low crime rates and family-friendly environments.
- Healthcare: Excellent healthcare options with Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
- Schools: Top-rated school districts like Dublin City Schools and New Albany.
- Activities: Parks, museums, sports, and performing arts.
- Public Transit: COTA provides reliable public transportation within the city and suburbs.
5. Utah (Salt Lake City Suburbs)
- Affordability: Home prices are rising but remain affordable in suburbs like Sandy and West Jordan.
- Safety: Salt Lake suburbs have a strong community feel and are generally safe.
- Healthcare: High-quality healthcare systems, including Intermountain Healthcare.
- Schools: Top-rated public schools in the Salt Lake Valley area.
- Activities: Outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and family-friendly events.
- Public Transit: Utah Transit Authority (UTA) provides an excellent public transportation network.
6. Tennessee
- Affordability: Cities like Chattanooga and suburbs near Nashville offer affordable housing options.
- Safety: Known for safe, quiet suburbs such as Franklin and Brentwood.
- Healthcare: Vanderbilt University Medical Center and other well-regarded facilities.
- Schools: Highly rated schools in Williamson County.
- Activities: Outdoor adventures, music, cultural events, and family-friendly activities.
- Public Transit: Public transportation is growing, particularly around Nashville.
7. Florida (Tampa Suburbs): The last time I learned was the hurricane.
- Affordability: The Tampa area has affordable suburbs like Riverview and Wesley Chapel.
- Safety: Safe communities, especially in suburban areas.
- Healthcare: Tampa General Hospital and AdventHealth are highly rated.
- Schools: Hillsborough County has several highly ranked schools.
- Activities: Year-round outdoor activities, beaches, sports, and entertainment.
- Public Transit: HART and PSTA offer good public transit options around Tampa.
8. Georgia (Atlanta Suburbs)
- Affordability: Affordable homes in suburbs like Alpharetta and Peachtree City.
- Safety: Low crime rates in these suburban communities.
- Healthcare: Atlanta boasts world-class hospitals such as Emory University Hospital.
- Schools: Top-rated public schools in Gwinnett and Fulton counties.
- Activities: Extensive outdoor activities, cultural experiences, and sports.
- Public Transit: MARTA provides good connectivity around the metropolitan area.
9. Colorado (Denver Suburbs)
- Affordability: Suburbs like Aurora and Centennial offer relatively affordable housing.
- Safety: Safe suburban environments with strong community engagement.
- Healthcare: Top-rated hospitals such as UCHealth.
- Schools: Excellent public schools in Douglas and Jefferson counties.
- Activities: A mix of outdoor adventures, cultural events, and sports.
- Public Transit: RTD provides extensive public transportation in and around Denver.
10. Virginia (Northern Virginia Suburbs)
- Affordability: Northern Virginia suburbs such as Ashburn and Sterling are relatively affordable compared to the D.C. area.
- Safety: These suburbs are known for being some of the safest in the U.S.
- Healthcare: Exceptional healthcare with proximity to top hospitals like Inova Fairfax.
- Schools: Loudoun County and Fairfax County have top-rated school systems.
- Activities: Parks, historical sites, outdoor activities, and proximity to Washington, D.C.
- Public Transit: WMATA and VRE offer excellent public transportation options.
These states balance affordability, safety, healthcare, education, and a quality family-oriented lifestyle.
