6 Picturesque Suburbs That Could Become Unaffordable by the End of 2025
The ideal suburb is safe, has good schools, low crime rates, local amenities, proximity to a city or attractions, access to health care facilities and a strong sense of community — but the best of the best are also beautiful.
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Whether the backdrop is a stunning natural landscape or a shimmering city skyline, a picturesque location can make an ideal suburb even more desirable.
Many such locations are still affordable for ordinary families in 2024, but the masses crave what attracted current residents there in the first place. Transplants are pouring in fast — and demand means rapidly rising prices.
GOBankingRates spoke with real estate professionals who identified scenic suburbs around the country in their waning days of affordability — and they’re on pace to price out average families by the end of next year.
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Boerne, Texas
In San Antonio, the average home still costs around $262,000, making it an attractive alternative to pricier cities like Austin and Houston, but a beautiful nearby suburb that had been affordable is moving beyond the typical middle-class budget.
“Boerne is especially attractive due to its rolling hills, proximity to the Guadalupe River and quaint downtown,” said Daniel Cabrera, owner and founder of Sell My House Fast San Antonio, TX. “However, with the median home price in Boerne increasing over 10% annually, housing costs are rising quickly.”
The average home value jumped from $400,000 in 2020 to nearly $560,000 today.
“Many people are drawn to this suburban community for the natural surroundings and small-town feel, though prices are being driven up by high demand,” said Cabrera.
Hoboken, New Jersey
Known locally as New York City’s sixth borough, Hoboken offers stunning river and skyline views of America’s biggest city. The average home there costs less than $822,000, which is lower than in 2018 and a bargain by Big Apple standards — but that trend is fading.
“Hoboken is an East Coast suburb that provides a lovely fusion of suburban and urban living,” said Rinal Patel, founder of WeBuyPhillyHome.
“This walkable community offers easy access to public transportation in New York and a vibrant center with lots of shops and restaurants. With a median property price of $740,000, Hoboken is among the more reasonably priced communities in the New York metropolitan area.”
Patel continued, “Nonetheless, there are worries that Hoboken’s home costs will keep rising in the upcoming years due to its ideal location and rising popularity.”
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Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria’s proximity to the nation’s capital makes it a coveted spot for lawmakers, lawyers, lobbyists, consultants and other D.C. powerbrokers. With the average home priced under $650,000, this picturesque riverside suburb is still relatively affordable — but soaring demand could put it out of reach by the end of next year.
“With its historic charm and waterfront views, Alexandria is a highly sought-after suburb of Washington, D.C.,” said Daniel Rivera, the president of Proactive Property Management. “Its appeal lies in its historic Old Town, vibrant community and access to D.C., resulting in rapidly rising housing costs.”
Erie, Colorado
Brett Johnson, owner of New Era Home Buyers in Englewood, Colorado, has seen a scenic suburb called Erie hit its stride — and he thinks there will be no slowing down through all of this year or next.
“Its views of the Rockies are breathtaking, and its small-town feel makes it desirable,” shared Johnson. “That said, the median home price in Erie is about $620,000, some $5,000 more than the median home price in Denver right now of roughly $615,000. The statewide median home price is $550,000.”
Thanks to that growing popularity and the upscale amenities starting to pop up, Johnson thinks Erie may soon be priced too high for many buyers.
“One thing that makes the increased prices in Erie an anomaly is this differential factor: the relocation of remote workers looking for a peaceful lifestyle and yet not forgoing connectivity and convenience,” he added.
The Suburbs of Worcester, Massachusetts
Located in Central Massachusetts, Worcester offers a blend of urban and suburban living in a city whose sprawling academic infrastructure makes it one of the country’s greatest and most picturesque college towns.
The city is home to eight colleges and universities, with six more in the surrounding towns, each with its own lush green spaces and quaint, historic buildings from an impressive blend of architectural styles.
However, the average home value has been rising quickly and consistently in the city of 200,000 people, from less than $270,000 in 2020 to roughly $425,000 today. The market trampled over the Fed’s rate hikes with almost no cooling period — Zillow says prices rose by nearly 10% in the last year alone, and there’s no sign that buyers are tapping the brakes.
Redfin ranks its market as “very competitive,” scoring 88 out of 100. With many already priced out of one of the country’s hottest markets, buyers are flocking to the many equally picturesque surrounding suburbs, including Leominster, Clinton and Spencer, where Redfin says prices are still under $400,000 but won’t be for long.
Waukee and Grimes, Iowa
Drew Heberer, a real estate agent, investor, data analyst and the founder of Heberer Homes USA, has noticed prices rising toward a late-2025 crescendo in two scenic suburbs in the same Midwestern state: Waukee and Grimes, Iowa.
“The most enticing things about these suburbs are what they offer,” said Heberer. “They offer diverse cultures and restaurants. They also have great school districts and a very good quality of life. With access to many parks and lakes and short drives to other Midwest destinations, they’re a great place to live if you’re looking for affordability.”
The average home values in Waukee and Grimes are $353,171 and $342,589, respectively, but don’t expect these prices to last.
“That would equate to a four-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home with over 2,000 square feet,” said Heberer. “It’s very affordable and your money will go a long way when house shopping.”
But the secret is out, transplants are pouring in and prices are rising fast in both suburbs.
“I believe that these same areas will eventually — potentially by the end of 2025 — become unaffordable, as many coastal area buyers are moving to the Midwest for the affordability of the homes and the space that they are able to get for their money,” said Heberer.
“With remote jobs still being in demand, the ability to live anywhere for work has driven up demand in these areas. They still lack a huge supply with an average supply of around six months. This will continue to fluctuate and ultimately increase prices as more home buyers move to these areas.”
Note: Unless otherwise stated, all average home values are from Zillow.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Picturesque Suburbs That Could Become Unaffordable by the End of 2025