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So, you’re thinking of moving to the suburbs… but you think that somehow it’s like moving to outer Mongolia. You won’t see your friends. You will be stuck in a wardrobe of “mom jeans”. You will have to drive a minivan… and suddenly you won’t be that cool person that you’ve always considered yourself to be. Well, you couldn’t be more wrong. If you’re thinking that way, you probably haven’t been to the suburbs lately. And it’s time to visit again. Things have changed!

No, the suburbs in many cases are now completely self supporting cities, complete with great access to shopping – and not just the big box stores. (I heard you, I know what you’re thinking!) Look for fashionable boutiques, high end chains, and everything in between. You’ll see restaurants of all kinds, family, bistros, coffee shops, and the finest of dining. You’ll see homes of all shapes and sizes, not cookie cutter, but with the type of charm and individuality that you thought could only be found in the city. Tree lined streets, mature landscaping, and established neighborhoods, with young families, singletons, and retirees all in the mix.

What often surprises those who have snubbed the suburbs is the wide variety of activities available. Some of the best yoga studios, dance classes, and sports fields are all right there, not to mention private clubs, golf, community centers, and public swimming pools – and guess what? They aren’t jammed to the rafters like you often find in the city.

But probably the biggest misconception about the suburbs is that they are not cool. And I’m not sure how that happened! In fact, I can’t think of anything cooler that being able to have the space you need. You’ll be shocked how many people, just like you, are making the move. That’s because they see value for the money, and the lifestyle that they want. As mentioned, it’s very likely that the suburb you choose to live in is where you could end up working! And with the amount of jobs these days that can be done from home, on line or in a flexible manner, you might not to have to worry about that dreaded commute.

Let’s put it this way… I moved from the city to the suburbs 16 years ago – and everyone thought I was crazy. “You’ll lose touch!” was the main comment I heard. Nothing could be less true. I met tons of people, but retained all my old friendships. I still went to the city, and my friends actually came to see me. But best of all, in my suburb, I live a block from the beach, have great shopping nearby, and a home that would be twice the price if it was in the “city”. But I like to think of myself as a trail blazer, as many of my friends moved to my neighborhood. And frankly, I think we’re pretty cool