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I have been trying to do some research to see where my family and I would like to move. I know we want to leave NJ. When looking at options, obviously, everything has ups and downs/pros and cons. I guess it matter most what we can deal with, and what we can't. So, I'm composing my wish list. Based on this criteria, what would your suggestion be? Granted, I am not asking anyone to tell me where to live, but based on likes/dislikes, pros/cons, what locations are most ideal in your personal opinion
Wish List:
WEATHER
low humidity
very few, if any, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, droughts, or blizzards
PEOPLE
Friendly
Open-minded, but mind their own business
Family-oriented
Intellectual
Cultural
Laid-back
BELIEFS/RELIGION/POLITICS
More spiritual than religious
Diverse groups/communities
Liberal-ish
Live & Let Live attitude
Support amendments and civil liberty
egalitarian
COMMUNITY PLUSES
Median home value around 190,000
Median income around 60,000
Acceptable public school system or access to great private schools
Median age 40
Close knit, but understand personal boundaries
Low crime rate
Stuff to do, if you want to do stuff, or at least can get to activities when they are available
Spacious / you can live on at least 0.5+ acres
Suburban-ish
EMPLOYMENT
Good for people who work in technology (Network admin, PC repair/tech, systems admin, etc)
Good for people who work in academia (adjunct, instructor, professor, academic )
With all this in mind, I am sure there are trade-offs, and some things we will just have to live with. And that's fine. At the end of the day, I simply want to come to a place where I can sit on my porch and mellow out with my family--without dealing with a lot of noise, crime or fear, or--if I choose--connect with others when the mood hits, like have cookouts with the neighbors. I want to be able to find employment without having to commute 2 hrs one way to get there or deal with ridiculous traffic and rude, snobby people. I can deal with extreme weather, but not all the time where we are trapped indoors because of 2 feet of snow most of the winter or 115 degrees of hot heat most of the summer. The less bugs the better or at least we can live harmoniously with whatever wild life and insects that do exist in that area. I really do not care what others believe, worship or do, as long as they don't push their ideas on me, and they are not hurting anyone else's rights or liberties because of what they believe. My kids are almost done with school; youngest has about 5 yrs left before heading to college, and my middle only 1 more year. Oh, and my youngest is Gifted/Talented; middle is Gifted, w/Aspergers. So, a school that has some supports is great--or at least access to social groups and academic excellence. I don't want to send my children somewhere I have to worry that educators baby sit verses teach, and they are going to be bullied most of the day verses learning.
Are their any places that come to mine that may be able to give at last 80% of what I'm looking for? (80/20 rule, if you will)
I'd highly recommend Ashevill NC, which seems to have at least 80% of what you're looking for, and maybe morer. There are certainly colleges in the area, UNC Asheville, Warren Wilson, Western Carolina, Asheville-Buncombe Community, and Brevard College are the ones I know of. The school system there is supposed to be pretty good, though I don't know what it may have to offer in terms of Sp. ed. Also not sure what the market would be for tech people. You'd have to check that out. But unemployment is under the national average, around 6.5% I'd guess.
Otherwise it fits to a a T everything else you're looking for: Artsy, left-leaning, sophisticated, very friendly people, good for families, housing prices about what you'd want --though there are also some VERY pricey homes there--a bustling, walkable, enetertainment filled downtown, and a lot of outdoor activities 'cause it's nestled in the Great Smokies. Some hot humid rainy days in the summer and a little snow in the winter, but overall very moderate climate.
And if it ever feels too small, Charlotte and Atlanta are only a couple hours drive away.
Madison Wisconsin is really a great place. It has a lot of what you're looking for I believe, however the deal-breaker might be the weather. It's pretty cold. But still, it's a few hours away from Milwaukee and Chicago if you want to visit a bigger city. It's got great outdoor activities on the lake in the summer. It's got a lot of life, being the capitol of the state and with a big college in town, which surely offers lots of jobs based on what you are looking for. I'd als say a good part of the town is suburbanish, as you put it. Give it a look! Asheville was a good suggestion too.
This really sounds like Denver except for the snow/blizzards (from what I heard, they are nowhere nearly as bad as noreasters). Otherwise I would say New Mexico by one of the national labs. The non-humid weather and other elements suggests this.
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