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We are a young (late 30's) socially liberal couple with 2 young kids (2 & 5) looking to relocate from Southern California. Mainly because of the insane real estate prices. We have a new home budget of around 350-400K although we'd ideally like the final number to be at or around the 350 mark. That wouldn't buy you a shack in SoCal. We've decided to accept that we won't find SoCal weather anywhere so we're going to accept that fact and move on. We are looking for:
Safe
Socially Liberal
Good Public Schools in the area we could afford to live in
In Our Price Range
Freedom to raise kids without religion without it being an issue
We have narrowed the list down to the following metropolitan areas:
Portland, OR
Portland, ME
Miami, FL
Albuquerque, NM
Sacramento, CA
We know these are very different and we would be looking in the metro area not the downtown areas or even within the city limits themselves. Which of these cities would you move to and why?
Thanks. We do like the idea of Maine. The only thing putting me off is the possibility of really long and cold winters. I don't know how bad they really are though as I've only ever experienced 2 really bad winters in 38 years.
Portland, OR ticks every box apart from the rainy dull winters. Although the summer is very sunny and dry. I like the idea of a mild winter, but I've lived in a very rainy climate and not sure if I want to go back to that.
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
10,753 posts, read 23,828,256 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mxcolin
Good Public Schools in the area
Definitely take Albuquerque off your list. The school system here is crap. The city is certainly very affordable, friendly, and has great weather; however if good schools are a priority for you, unless you are willing to send your kids to private school, don't consider New Mexico.
Last edited by Champ le monstre du lac; 04-07-2015 at 01:34 PM..
Thanks. We could probably afford to send the kids to a private school with the savings between where we live and Albuquerque. Also we'd be willing to live in and around the metro area to find a good school district, which I'm hoping would exist somewhere.
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
10,753 posts, read 23,828,256 times
Reputation: 14670
Quote:
Originally Posted by mxcolin
But you are right that would be our main worry in ABQ.
And that would be a very legitimate concern. The best performing schools are in Los Alamos, which is an anomaly of town all together since its a bit remote and not commuting distance to ABQ and the focus there is centered around the National Labs. Albuquerque's school district is overall very low performing. I have listened to tragic stories told from my co-workers kids that attend the schools. Rio Rancho is a little better but if you can swing private school for your kids with what you're saving here then by all means definitely look into that. The Academy is very decent
Last edited by Champ le monstre du lac; 04-07-2015 at 06:53 PM..
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