When you’re thinking about moving to the suburbs, the most important decision might not be “what suburb?” but “what state?”
For many families, the suburban search isn’t limited to one area code. One person might be commuting to Manhattan, while the other heads to Philadelphia twice a month. Or your parents are in Jersey, but your in-laws are in Westchester. You could be working remotely—but not forever. Or maybe you’re considering a total lifestyle shift and asking, What if we moved to South Florida instead?
These days, more and more families are searching across multiple markets at the same time—and we’re here for it.
“We talk a lot about ‘anchors’ with our clients,” says Suburban Jungle Philadelphia Strategist Jodi Bloom. “That could be anything—work, schools, family, lifestyle. And more often than not, those anchors are pulling people in different directions. That’s where a parallel search really shines—it lets us explore multiple options side-by-side without the stress.”
Welcome to the parallel search. At Suburban Jungle, we specialize in helping families explore different regions simultaneously so you can find the town and the life that fits best.
Why More Families Are Going Parallel
You’re entering a new life stage
Maybe you’re expanding your family and need more space. Maybe you’re empty nesters thinking about downsizing—or moving closer to your grown kids, wherever they are. Life changes fast, and the right town (or region) should grow with you. A parallel search gives you the flexibility to explore options before you’re locked into one location.
You want to compare cost, lifestyle, and long-term fit.
Every region has its pros and cons—different housing costs, property taxes, schools, and even pace of life. The New York suburbs may offer more walkable downtowns, while South Florida offers sunshine year-round. With our national network of Strategists, we help you weigh what matters most and see how each market stacks up.
“When you’re comparing Westchester to the Main Line or South Florida, it’s not just about houses,” Jodi says. “It’s about commute times, community vibe, taxes, weather, activities for kids…we help clients look at the whole picture.”
You’re balancing personal and professional priorities
It’s not unusual for couples to be juggling two very different work situations—one person might be hybrid, one fully remote. Or they’re splitting time between two cities. Or their company just opened a second office. Whatever the case, we help you figure out where the whole family can thrive.
“I’ve had clients looking in Westchester and also in Philadelphia because they needed to be within reach of both family and job hubs,” Jodi explains. “With a parallel search, we can keep all of those options on the table until we find the one that checks every box.”
You’re making a career move and need to act fast
Job transitions often come with tough choices: Do you move? If so, where? With Suburban Jungle, you don’t have to wait until an offer is in hand. We’ll help you explore potential communities now, so when the call comes, you’re ready.
What a Parallel Search Really Looks Like
Every Suburban Jungle journey starts the same way: with a one-on-one Strategy Session focused on you—your lifestyle, your goals, and what matters most. From there, we build your Suburbs Strategy and loop in Strategists from each relevant market so you can compare communities across the board.
We’ll help you tour, gather insights, connect with local experts, and map out your next steps, whether that’s moving in six weeks or six months.
“Our Strategists are hyper-local,” says Jodi. “I know the Philly suburbs inside and out—what the commute’s really like, where people spend time on weekends, how the public schools actually function. When we pair that with a Strategist from the New York suburbs or South Florida, clients get a 360-degree view they just can’t get online.”
And because Suburban Jungle is completely free to clients, you’re never pressured to pick one market over another. Our only goal? Helping your family land in a community that fits.
Ready to Explore More Than One Market?
If you’re weighing multiple suburbs—or even multiple regions—we’ll help you make sense of the options. Whether it’s New York vs. New Jersey, Philly vs. South Florida, or somewhere in between, we’ve got Strategists ready to guide you through the ins and outs of every option.
Let’s map your parallel search. Schedule your free initial strategy call today.
