Best places to live on the East Coast

Population: 24,818

The only Floridian locale to make this list, Westchase is a Tampa suburb with plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, bars, golf courses, swimming pools, tennis courts, and parks to enjoy, making its appeal high for residents of all ages. Like many other cities, towns, and suburbs in the top 30, Westchase has highly educated residents (39% have at least a bachelor's degree) and highly ranked public schools. Niche ranks it as the #1 suburb in all of Florida.

Population: 2,866

Aspinwall, a Pittsburgh suburb, offers its residents a small-town experience right on the Allegheny River, while also being conveniently close to Pittsburgh. Aspinwall itself has a variety of bars, restaurants, and boutiques, and nearby Waterworks Mall means that residents also have access to larger retailers like Walmart. There are many young professionals and families in this suburb, and the public schools are highly rated, making this a great choice for young families.

Population: 9,484

Chevy Chase is one of the most affluent suburbs of Washington D.C., and is known for its luxury shopping, historic homes, and wealthy residents. According to Neighborhood Scout, most of the population is employed in white-collar jobs. The majority work in computers and math, science, and creative lines of work.

Population: 14,673

The master-planned community of Broadlands sits perched over Stream Valley Park. Its residents enjoy picnic areas, a boardwalk, playgrounds, and more. It has been named a Certified Wildlife Habitat Community and offers hiking and biking trails, swimming pools, and plenty of open space.

Population: 26,076

Ridgewood is a big town with an affluent population. According to Neighborhood Scout, many of its residents hold white-collar jobs in everything from computers and math to media. About 26% of the workforce telecommutes and nearly 79% of the community has a college or an advanced degree.

Population: 46,230

Perched on the banks of the Potomac River, with Great Falls National Park nearby, Potomac is a beautiful Maryland suburb with convenient access to Washington D.C. Potomac residents are highly educated. Niche reports that 55% have a master's degree or higher. The town features excellent public schools, as well.

Population: 67,403

Bethesda is another wealthy and vibrant suburb of Washington D.C. This affluent community is known for its arts and entertainment district, ethnically diverse restaurants, shopping, and public art projects. Niche has ranked it highly for its public schools, diversity, and highly educated residents, 59% of whom have a master's degree or higher.

Population: 30,471

This Raleigh-Durham suburb is a small, yet burgeoning, community that places an emphasis on education, community, and culture. Morrisville has a diverse community that highlights its ethnic cuisine each year at the East Meets West Festival. It is also home to Lake Crabtree County Park, which has a 520-acre lake and plenty of trails for hiking and biking.

Population: 5,946

This Baltimore suburb boasts a highly rated public school system and a well-educated population, with 54% of residents having obtained a master's degree or higher. Outside of the classroom, opportunities to connect with the natural world abound, like nearby Scott's Cove Recreation Area and Lake Elkhorn Park. Though Fulton lacks its own nightlife scene, the urban hub of Baltimore is a roughly 30-minute drive away.

Population: 1,623

The small town of Devon, Pennsylvania, is an affluent community with a high quality of life. The largest industries in Devon are educational services, health care, and professional, scientific, and technical services. The highest-paying industries are administrative, finance, and real estate.

Population: 235,463

Arlington joins the list of affluent and historically wealthy suburbs just outside Washington D.C., but this one is in Virginia. It includes the sprawling Pentagon City apartments, parks, and shopping complexes. The town sits on the Potomac River and is a stronghold of tradition, including changing of the guard ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. It also thrives on the modern and eclectic lifestyles of its residents, from its food trucks and breweries to 1,100 acres of parks.

Population: 73,737

A suburb of Baltimore, Ellicott City is a historic and artistic community in Maryland's Howard County. It is home to Banneker Historical Park, which is a 142-acre park dedicated to Benjamin Banneker, a leading Black scientist from the 18th century. Niche has ranked it as the top place to live in the Baltimore area.

Population: 117,794

Just across the Charles River from Boston, Cambridge is one of the most affluent and highly educated cities in America. It's home to Harvard University, the Harvard Art Museums, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Half of its residents have a master's degree or higher, and Niche ranks it as the #1 city in the U.S. for young professionals.

Population: 1,842

Princeton Junction is a pocket-sized, affluent town in southern New Jersey. A high percentage of its workforce holds white-collar jobs, with many working in IT and mathematics. According to Niche, 80% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population: 6,524

The college town of Swarthmore is home to Swarthmore College, which is one of the focal points of the community. The small town has plenty of restaurants and coffee shops, which are humming with student life. Crime rates are much lower than the national average, and the population is highly educated—more than half of the residents have a master's degree or higher.

Population: 8,057

South Kensington is a small city located in Montgomery County. It is yet another suburb of Washington D.C, surrounded by many of the aforementioned affluent Maryland communities. South Kensington's crime rate is 69% lower than the U.S. average. The public school system is top-notch, as well, earning an A+ from Niche.

Population: 4,230

Only a train ride away from New York City on the NJ Transit rail, Ho-Ho-Kus provides its residents with a rural setting where most are homeowners. Residents can visit the historical Hermitage house, spend an afternoon at neighboring Demarest Farms, and enjoy a variety of restaurants. With highly-rated public schools, this is a great choice for families.

Population: 7,503

Nearly a decade ago, The New York Times called Great Neck Plaza a "rich blend of many cultures." It is a highly diverse and affluent community on Long Island, a stone's throw from the job opportunities and culture of New York City. Today, it is still known for its diversity, educated residents—36% hold a master's degree or higher—and highly-rated public schools.

Population: 30,451

Princeton is one of the oldest university towns in the country. The city of 30,000 residents features leafy neighborhoods and residential communities not far from both New York City and Philadelphia. Dining, shopping, arts and culture, and the outdoors are major draws for its residents, from its many parks and waterways to the McCarter Theatre Center.

Population: 6,220

Penn Wynne is an exclusive suburb of Philadelphia. A short commute can put its residents within close proximity to the universities, cultural institutions, and job opportunities created by Philadelphia's 1.55 million people. The small town is ranked highly for families by Niche for its stellar public schools. Its residents value education, as 72% have a bachelor's degree and 44% have a master's degree or higher.

Population: 176,686

Cary is a city just outside of Raleigh. It's an energetic community packed with restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and culture. Among its top draws for residents is the sprawling Bond Park. Crime rates are low, and 33% of residents have a master's degree or higher.

Population: 23,994

North Potomac is located just 20 miles from Washington D.C. The town has a burgeoning job market and top-tier schools. Nearby nature attractions include the 6,300-acre Seneca Creek State Park and the 300-acre grounds of the Glenstone Museum, which incorporates art, architecture, and nature.

Population: 66,355

Alpharetta is fortunate enough to hold real estate between the North Georgia Mountains and Atlanta. As such, it is a great location for young professionals, as well as families and retirees. From breweries and shopping to golf, live music, and numerous parks and gardens, Alpharetta is a cultural city that appeals to multiple generations.

Population: 16,340

Stone Ridge is an 800-acre planned community in northern Virginia. The manicured development offers its residents a long list of amenities, from a clubhouse and fitness center to an amphitheater and three pools. It's also less than 40 miles from Washington D.C., and just 14 miles from Dulles International Airport.

Population: 8,559

Innsbrook is one of the largest mixed-use residential and business parks on the East Coast. It appeals to young professionals and families, offering acres of green space, trails, lakes, and different types of housing, from luxury apartments to condos and more.

Population: 49,498

North Bethesda is a wealthy suburb of Washington D.C. It's a very small bedroom community that is just under nine square miles with easy access to the D.C. area's job, dining, and cultural opportunities. Many residents work at the nearby Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Population: 82,115

Just 25 miles from the bustle of Atlanta, Johns Creek is a beautiful suburb tucked in the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. It's an exclusive enclave of Fortune 500 workers, with a hospital, a symphony orchestra, and a packed calendar of events and festivals. The Autrey Mill Nature Preserve is a good spot to enjoy a romantic sunset stroll with a date or a fun-filled afternoon with the family.

Population: 14,165

Not far from Philadelphia, Ardmore offers the small-town vibe backed by the big city's opportunities and services. The residential and dynamic community centers around Suburban Square, one of the earliest shopping centers in the nation. There is also Ardmore Music Hall for cultural events, and residents flock to the daily farmers market.

Population: 62,822

Its short distance to Boston makes this affluent suburb one of the best places to live on the East Coast. Brookline has the culture, employment, and educational opportunities of Boston at its fingertips, with the New England charm of a suburban community. Its residents are highly educated, with 58% holding a master's degree or higher.

Population: 5,439

This Philadelphia suburb not only holds Niche's #1 rank as the best place to live on the East Coast but it also comes in at #3 in the entire country. Residents love the historic community for its proximity to the employment opportunities and culture of Philadelphia. It is also home to Valley Forge National Historical Park, as well as the Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens. According to Area Vibes, it has a very low crime rate—80% lower than the U.S. average. Its high school graduation rate is 98%, as well.

Additional writing by Cu Fleshman and Jaimie Etkin.