This Maryland suburb ranks as one of the country's best, new ranking finds

NORTH BETHESDA, Md. — There are plenty of beautiful places to call home across the D.C. region. But one suburb in Montgomery County reigns supreme. At least according to the folks over at Travel + Leisure. They recently ranked 10 suburbs across the U.S. as the best suburbs to live. North Bethesda was ranked No. 4 overall.

Known for dining and entertainment at Pike & Rose, the Glenstone Museum and the C&O Canal National Historical Park, and the Strathmore Mansion, North Bethesda has plenty to offer. T+L's ranking focused specifically on affordable housing, top-rated schools and job opportunities.

Here's what they had to say about North Bethesda:

"I grew up in North Bethesda and moved back here to raise my children in the same neighborhood where I was brought up ... Between the wonderful school system, plethora of amenities, and robust recreational facilities, residents have so much at their fingertips, so much to choose from," Meaghan Miller, an agent at Long & Foster Real Estate, said of North Bethesda, a Montgomery County census-designated area that is now one of the most sought-after communities in the Washington, D.C. metro area. The community also has many restaurants, farmers markets, and cultural institutions such as The Music Center at Strathmore, transforming it into a destination in its own right.

Nationally, North Bethesda is ranked the seventh-best suburb to live in and one of the best places to raise a family in America, according to Niche.com. However, real estate prices are higher than the national average, reflecting the town's popularity and the region's high cost of living. In May 2024, the median sale price was $570,000.

North Bethesda was only outdone by Okemos, Michigan, east of Lansing, and Cinco Ranch, Texas, west of Houston. The suburb of John's Creek, north of Atlanta, took the top spot.

Also on the list was Short Pump, Virginia, located near Richmond. It was ranked No. 9 overall. 

Here's the full ranking: