When you were younger, you may have dreamt of someday having your own place in the city or you might have hoped for a huge house in the middle of nowhere with all the freedom you could ask for around you. Either way, if you’re from the suburbs, you probably didn’t grow up dreaming to live there, but what’s wrong with the suburbs?

Growing up in the suburbs, I always thought that I lived too far away to really get a feel for the city or the country. It’s as if I were stuck in between, just out of reach of anything fun. As I got older, I started to realize the pros of living in the suburbs of the DMV.

Dc is just a short drive, or Metro ride, away from Silver Spring. Our nation’s capital, Dc is filled with culture and diversity. Baltimore is also another major city that is full of opportunities for fun and culture. Living in the suburbs allows residents to have many positive qualities of the city, without all the crowd and hassle. For example, your apartment, gym, market, dry cleaners, and pharmacy could all be on the same block. Although some people like the clutter of the city, it doesn’t suit everyone’s interest, so the suburbs with pseudo-city features fit the bill. No matter what your interests are, there’s a museum for you to visit in the city. Nature lovers have many parks and historical sites to see.

If you’re not a city person, Virginia’s beautiful rural landscapes are a great option. The Blue Ridge Mountains, mild climate, and privacy of rural areas such as the Shenandoah Valley draw lots of people. Countryside living offers cleaner air and a more relaxing and peaceful environment. People who like to get away from technology and get outside really appreciate a trip to the countryside every once and awhile.

Whether you are in the city or the countryside, there are things to do just outside of the suburbs, but what if you’re stuck at home? Suburbs are becoming more and more like cities with features such as town centers that feature shopping, restaurants and entertainment. For example, Downtown Silver Spring is its own little city. It has a concert venue, two movie theaters, shopping mall, and endless restaurants to enjoy. In the winter, it even has an outdoor ice skating rink. The best part of this area is its accessibility. By taking just one bus ride from school, you’re taken into the city scene.

Sometimes people are blinded and don’t see what they have right in front of them. If you want something to do, take advantage of your surroundings and learn to explore. You never know when you’ll discover a new passion or even find somewhere cool to start hanging out. The suburbs have more to them than most people realize.