It depends what the reasons were for one area being less desirable. We used to live in a small house and it became depressing after a while. No space to put anything so the house always looked junky and cluttered. No room for the kids to play, especially in wet weather or when they were sick. We now live in a huge house and I would never go back.

Having said that, like I say, it would depend on why one area wasn't as good.

addit: after reading your reasons, I have to say I'd choose the suburb with the bigger house.