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Based on you criteria, Madison, Wisconsin is first place that came to mind. The New England area as well. Lots of places could fit your criteria.
I'm almost on board, but Wisconsin's more of a two-season than a four-season place; and let's face it, Wisconsin isn't exactly known for its merciful taxes. Well, maybe by Northeast standards, but certainly not by Midwest standards.
How about someplace just outside of Morgantown WV? Mild summers and snowy winters due to altitude, nice springs and GORGEOUS falls....
Quote:
Originally Posted by bubbagirl
Scenic, rural, slow paced life ... Reasonable commute to Cleveland, Columbus, Pittsburgh areas. Lots of small college towns and universities. You don't have to go that far from civilization before it is open land, fresh air, and country way of living. And, all 4 seasons.
Yeah, something like that... somewhere along the OH/WV border...
We haven't been through the winters yet (they say they're mild-mod with snow), but they laugh and say I'll be fine since I grew up in no. Illinois. The summer has been fantastic. LOTS of state parks (I go hiking in the mountains 5 minutes from my work!). Amazing community with very low crime, great economy, and environmentally/physically conscious. It's a medium town with all the necessities, but in the middle of nowhere. It is also nice because it is 3-5 hours from major cities (DC, Pittsburgh, Philly, NYC, etc.)...we look forward when our kids are older in taking some weekend trips. Oh, and for kids, tons of activities, and excellent playground/parks everywhere. One of the top school systems in the state as well.
Definately higher cost of living then where we just lived (eastern NC), but I've learned you get what you pay for. I don't mind spending 1-2K/year more in taxes for all the benefits I'm receiving compared to my last location. (taxes are MUCH lower than the east coast).
We haven't been through the winters yet (they say they're mild-mod with snow), but they laugh and say I'll be fine since I grew up in no. Illinois. The summer has been fantastic. LOTS of state parks (I go hiking in the mountains 5 minutes from my work!). Amazing community with very low crime, great economy, and environmentally/physically conscious. It's a medium town with all the necessities, but in the middle of nowhere. It is also nice because it is 3-5 hours from major cities (DC, Pittsburgh, Philly, NYC, etc.)...we look forward when our kids are older in taking some weekend trips. Oh, and for kids, tons of activities, and excellent playground/parks everywhere. One of the top school systems in the state as well.
Definately higher cost of living then where we just lived (eastern NC), but I've learned you get what you pay for. I don't mind spending 1-2K/year more in taxes for all the benefits I'm receiving compared to my last location. (taxes are MUCH lower than the east coast).
Good luck!
If you want a great college town, you should try State College. Someone else said Ann Arbor. I agree, A2 is nice, but the pop. of just the city is around 100,000. Too big for me. If you live in Ann Arbor, I would live in one of the nice suburbs instead. SC only has a pop. of about 40,000, though. That's much better. Also A2 has higher crime than SC and in my opinion, State College is prettier. The mountains are great! A2 is all flat.
Iowa City, Ann Arbor, Northfield, Minn., Madison, Columbia, Mo., Duluth, Lawrence, Kan.
Northfield? My DD went to college there (St. Olaf). I thought the town was cute, but if you can't buy it at Target, you have to go to the Mpls suburbs for it. That could get to be a pain. Also, brutal winters, high taxes (so I've heard, never lived in Minn). Try Loveland, Ft. Morgan, Berthoud, other small cities on the periphery of Denver. I guess this tells you there a lot of places that fit at least some of your criteria in many different parts of the country.
/\The orig. poster said they wanted to be near necessities (A Target, but the city also has a superb downtown for its size), have four seasons with snow (Minnesota) and be in proximity to colleges(Two, within a mile). Taxes may be high, but the town fits what they want.
/\The orig. poster said they wanted to be near necessities (A Target, but the city also has a superb downtown for its size), have four seasons with snow (Minnesota) and be in proximity to colleges(Two, within a mile). Taxes may be high, but the town fits what they want.
The OP asked for low taxes, too. Northfield may have a superb downtown for restaurants (which the OP wants), but not much else, IMO. Well, used books, beads, stuff like that is available in downtown Nfield, too.
The best universities are in blue states. Pay the taxes to play.
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