Name: Alyssa
Age: 22
Current suburb: Naperville
Hometown: Naperville
Occupation: Reading teacher

Why the suburbs?
I like living near a big city, not in one. I studied in Rome in college. Although I loved the hustle and bustle for a little while, I missed living in my size town (about 145,000). Naperville has plenty to offer and if I want to head in to the city, it is a little over an hour train ride or 45 mins if you catch an express train.

What are your three favorite suburban restaurants?
Downtown Naperville has been opening up lots of new restaurants that I enjoy going to with friends or family.
- Traverso’s Restaurant (great Italian food!)
- Quigley’s Irish Pub
- Pizza Fusion- organic pizza that is delicious (gluten-free too if you need it)

What are some of your favorite unique suburban locales?
- Brookfield Zoo, especially at Christmas time!
- Toyota Park for Chicago Fire Games (Bridgeview)
- Naper Settlement (Naperville)
- Blackberry Farms (Aurora)
- Naperville Riverwalk

Why not the city?
Too much at once! Yes it can be fun to live in a big city and be a part of what’s happening, but not every second! My parents grew up in Chicago (one North side, the other South Side- you know what that means during baseball season), but even they talk about how much their neighborhoods have changed and how overwhelming it can be. Naperville has lots going on and in the past 5-10 years is really booming. There is plenty to do and downtown Naperville is a great place for little kids, 20 somethings, and families. I love Chicago and attending concerts, the Air and Water Show, and other events or places, but city living isn’t for me! Just like when I was in college, I prefer to be a name, not a face and I like to see people I know.