Upon discovering a box of condoms in Tessa's bedroom drawer, he decides they should move to the suburbs, believing this environment will be more wholesome.

Once in the suburban community of Chatswin, the Altmans quickly discover how much they do not fit in with the upper middle class lifestyles of their neighbors, and must learn to navigate the politics of their new surroundings.

[4] On January 14, 2011, ABC placed a pilot order, written by Emily Kapnek and directed by Michael Fresco, who also served as executive producers.

[7] Next to join the series was Alan Tudyk in the role of Noah Werner, George's college buddy and a dentist who moved to the suburbs some years earlier.

[8] Allie Grant then joined the series as Lisa Shay, a socially awkward girl at school who befriends Tessa.

[11] Rex Lee was the last actor cast, playing Mr. Wolfe, Tessa's clueless high school guidance counselor.

[12] Saturday Night Live (SNL) alumna Ana Gasteyer plays the Altmans' domineering neighbor, Sheila Shay, whom they vainly try to avoid.

[16] On December 16, 2011, it was announced that Alicia Silverstone would have a recurring role as Eden, a potential love interest for single father George.

[21] The theme song, "Pleasant Nightmare", was written by Jared Faber and Emily Kapnek and is sung by Alih Jey.

[23] The onscreen map animation displayed in the opening credits zooms in on the affluent New York City suburbs of southern Westchester County as the geographic location of "Chatswin".

The series takes its title from Suburgatory: Twisted Tales from Darkest Suburbia, a book by former CNN Senior Producer Linda Keenan, based in part on her experiences after she moved from New York City to three affluent suburbs, the first of which was in Westchester County.

The book, released on October 11, 2011, thirteen days after the show premiered, is described on the front cover as "The Title behind the ABC Sitcom".

[28] "Kapnek manages to make a show that is both satiric and emotionally engaging", said David Wiegand of the San Francisco Chronicle, "two varieties of comedy [that] don't always work well together.

[31] Wednesday 8:30 pm (April 3–17) Suburgatory was nominated for a 2012 People's Choice Award for "Favorite New TV Comedy", but lost to 2 Broke Girls, another show from Warner Bros. Television.