- Location: Town in New Jersey
- Population: 30,451

Besides being home to Princeton University and the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton has been recognized as a healthy place to live. It boasts parks and a wildlife refuge and is a semi-wooded community with various types of housing, including an 86-year-old affordable housing program.

- Location: Suburb in New Jersey
- Population: 4,230

Established in 1698, Ho-Ho-Kus is a 1.7-square-mile suburb in Bergen County 20 miles from New York City. Its name reflects its Indigenous origins—the area was home to the Lenni Lenape tribe—and likely derives from "Mah-Ho-Ho-Kus," or "red cedar." Ho-Ho-Kus has a small-town atmosphere and remains a tight-knit and safe place to live.

- Location: Town in Georgia
- Population: 66,355

Alpharetta has existed since the early 19th century, when it was a trading post for pioneers in search of fertile land. Today, it is known as the "Technology City of the South" because of the companies based there, including Verizon, Fiserv, and LexisNexis. Tech enthusiasts can also enjoy a visit to the nearby Computer Museum of America.

- Location: Suburb of Cincinnati
- Population: 13,374

Blue Ash is home to a regional college of the University of Cincinnati and the popular Summit Park and accompanying observation tower. Major employers in the city include the university, Kroger, and Allegion.

- Location: Suburb of Chicago
- Population: 17,155

So many historic buildings are still standing in downtown Hinsdale that the district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, particularly for its architecture. Residents can immerse themselves in the town's past at the Hinsdale History Museum, which features a restored home filled with relics donated by local citizens.

- Location: Suburb of Raleigh
- Population: 176,686

Cary, located near North Carolina's Research Triangle, has been called one of the safest cities in America. The town is home to the North Carolina Courage of the National Women's Soccer League and USA Baseball's national training complex. Cary has its own public transportation system with fixed-route and door-to-door service.

- Location: Suburb of St. Louis
- Population: 8,151

Close to St. Louis, Brentwood packs multiple green spaces, housing options, schools, restaurants, and leisure options into just two square miles. One year ago, the city approved $436 million to revitalize 77.2 acres along Manchester Road, including flood mitigation, a new park, and infrastructure upgrades.

- Location: Suburb in Maryland
- Population: 23,994

About 20 miles from Washington D.C., North Potomac has great public schools and plenty of diversity. During spring and fall, trails fill with fitness enthusiasts. It's also home to the Westleigh Recreation Club and close to art museums, historic parks, and plenty of shopping options.

- Location: Suburb of Chicago
- Population: 8,642

Only 18 miles from Chicago, Clarendon Hills has low crime and a high quality of life. Downtown is often bustling with community events, including Dancin' in the Street, Daisy Days, and an annual tree lighting ceremony.

- Location: Suburb of Richmond
- Population: 8,559

Innsbrook is a mixed-use community with residences, office spaces, lakes, and trails. It was founded in 1979 on 850 acres of undeveloped rural land not far from Richmond, the state capital.

- Location: City in Illinois
- Population: 149,424

Naperville doesn't just have a variety of employment industries, a low crime rate, and public and parochial schools—it also has the best public library system in the U.S. The town has many entertainment sources, including a municipal band that hosts summer concerts, a local theater, a farmers market, and a robust pickleball culture.

- Location: Suburb of Lansing
- Population: 25,503

Named for an Ojibwe (Chippewa) chief, Okemos is a favored settling site for employees of nearby Michigan State University. The suburb is diverse and boasts some of the best-ranked schools in Michigan. A short drive away, Potter Park Zoo is an excellent attraction. Art and architecture admirers can also marvel at the Goetsch-Winckler House.

- Location: Suburb of Houston
- Population: 19,139

There are pools for the whole family to enjoy in the planned community of Cinco Ranch. Residents also take advantage of a golf club and several trails and parks. The suburb has top-of-the-line schools and educated, diverse residents who double the national median household income.

- Location: Suburb of Boston
- Population: 62,822

First and foremost, Brookline has its own puppet theater, the Puppet Showplace Theater. Residents and visitors can also step inside John F. Kennedy's childhood home, and comedian Conan O'Brien is among the noted graduates of Brookline High School.

- Location: Suburb of Philadelphia
- Population: 6,220

In the leafy Philadelphia suburb of Penn Wynne, public school test scores are higher than the national average. There is an active civic association, and dining, shopping, entertainment, and leisure options abound.

- Location: Suburb of Philadelphia
- Population: 14,165

One of the first outdoor shopping centers in the country, Suburban Square opened in 1928. Ardmore is also home to great schools, parks, dining options, and a daily farmers market. The affluent, historic suburb spawned the Clover Market of vintage and artisanal goods, which hosts both Ardmore Restaurant Week and Ardmore Oktoberfest each year.

- Location: Suburb of Atlanta
- Population: 82,115

Johns Creek has been ranked the safest city in Georgia multiple times. With an international community that comprises one-fourth of the suburb's population, Johns Creek gets high marks for cultural diversity. The town is home to quality restaurants, stores, and parks and even has its own arts center and symphony orchestra.

- Location: Suburb of Huntsville
- Population: 58,335

Madison is close to two large industries that have helped spur population, economic, and infrastructural growth: military and space. The Redstone Arsenal army base and Marshall Space Flight Center are based nearby, generating thousands of jobs. The median household income is over $118,000, far above the national average, and the unemployment rate is only 1.8%.

- Location: Town in Indiana
- Population: 100,501

In recent years, Carmel has been recognized as the best place to raise a family in Indiana, one of America's safest cities, and the best place to launch a career. The town also has a serene Japanese garden for residents and visitors to enjoy.

- Location: Suburb of Philadelphia
- Population: 5,439

Residents enjoy top-quality schools, parklands, quiet streets, and safety in Chesterbrook, about a 30-minute drive from Philadelphia. The suburb is adjacent to Valley Forge National Historical Park, the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of Gen. George Washington and the Continental Army. During that time, the ragtag soldiers trained to become a disciplined and unified force.

Copy editing by Meg Shields.