The Wellesley Townsman Wellesley is a popular place to live: Top-rated schools, big houses, close enough to the city to allow easy access to entertainment and restaurants and open space for walking and running. The problem: It may be hard to find that house of your dreams. "We began 2020 with a small and shrinking inventory, but after the pandemic struck, the number of urban dwellers who wanted to head for the suburbs increased considerably," according to Elaine Bannigan, co-founder and owner of Pinnacle Residential Properties and author of the Pinnacle Report. "Things that quickly became important were having a backyard with a nice area to garden, relax and play or even have a dog (there has been a big increase in puppy acquisitions, too!), as well as a strong desire for more interior space for home office, exercise, and room for a family to have some separation. Urban condos were out. Suburban living was in."