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Okay, so I'm a California girl through and through. Grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and LA and love both cities immensely (maybe love Southern California a little more, but that's because I was fortunate enough to live right by the beach in Santa Monica and also a really nice part of Pasadena).
I live in rural New England now but need to think about relocating once I graduate from school (my profession will require me to live near at least a medium size city).
Here is what I'm looking for (I know it's virtually impossible to find a place that has ALL these qualities, but I just need some ideas):
- affordable housing (a comfortable, nice 2,700+ sq. ft. house for between $300,000 - $400,000)
- good public school system
- diversity (both my husband and I are multiracial, although on the surface it's hard for people to pinpoint what race I am. Also, "diversity" to us means more than just black/white. It includes Asian, Hispanic, etc.)
- community with liberal, educated, progressive and accepting people (think Obama lovers, gay rights, acceptance of interracial relationships, environmental tree huggers, etc.)
- good food culture and restaurants (I hate chains like Applebees, Olive Garden, etc.)
- access to good produce and supermarkets (organic, local farms, community supported agriculture, etc.)
- small businesses (I HATE Wal-Mart and other uber chains like it)
- lots of parks, walking trails, nice scenery
- close access to at least a medium size airport (where airlines like Southwest or JetBlue fly to)
So what do you think???
Honestly, all these qualities definitely sound like California but the West Coast is not an option (too far and too expensive).
Your criteria just completely described Chapel Hill/Carrboro, North Carolina
It's part of the Raleigh/Durham metro area with plenty of air service options from RDU. Raleigh-Durham International Airport (http://www.rdu.com/airlineflightinfo/rduairlines.htm - broken link)
Chapel Hill/Carrboro have a wealth of homes in your size/price range criteria ranging from new construction to beautifully restored historic homes.
The area is a liberal mecca (the current mayor is openly gay) and a high percentage of college educated residents. (77% hold a four year-degree). Obama carried Chapel Hill/Carrboro with a 75% majority.
The cultural scene is extensive thanks to UNC, with everything from traveling exhibits at museums and galleries, live music performances, nationally famous local music venues (Local 506 LOCAL 506 Shows!!! and The Cat's Cradle WELCOME TO CAT'S CRADLE!) and much more. Raleigh is 30 minutes away and Durham just 15 minutes away.
Recreational opportunities in the area are extensive as well. Both towns are very bike/pedestrian friendly. There is a vast network of trails also. Check out Duke Forest Duke Forest
Both towns (Chapel Hill and Carrboro ) feature plenty of independent retailers.
Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership ::Shop (http://www.downtownchapelhill.com/sub3.php?s=shop - broken link) Carr Mill Downtown Carrboro Map
The list goes on and on and would highly recommend checking it out. Good luck!
Last edited by kyle19125; 11-03-2010 at 07:05 AM..
Okay, so I'm a California girl through and through. Grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and LA and love both cities immensely (maybe love Southern California a little more, but that's because I was fortunate enough to live right by the beach in Santa Monica and also a really nice part of Pasadena).
I live in rural New England now but need to think about relocating once I graduate from school (my profession will require me to live near at least a medium size city).
Here is what I'm looking for (I know it's virtually impossible to find a place that has ALL these qualities, but I just need some ideas):
- affordable housing (a comfortable, nice 2,700+ sq. ft. house for between $300,000 - $400,000)
- good public school system
- diversity (both my husband and I are multiracial, although on the surface it's hard for people to pinpoint what race I am. Also, "diversity" to us means more than just black/white. It includes Asian, Hispanic, etc.)
- community with liberal, educated, progressive and accepting people (think Obama lovers, gay rights, acceptance of interracial relationships, environmental tree huggers, etc.)
- good food culture and restaurants (I hate chains like Applebees, Olive Garden, etc.)
- access to good produce and supermarkets (organic, local farms, community supported agriculture, etc.)
- small businesses (I HATE Wal-Mart and other uber chains like it)
- lots of parks, walking trails, nice scenery
- close access to at least a medium size airport (where airlines like Southwest or JetBlue fly to)
So what do you think???
Honestly, all these qualities definitely sound like California but the West Coast is not an option (too far and too expensive).
What about Syracuse NY and specifically most of the East Side neighborhoods and into DeWitt, an Eastern suburb. It's not far from Syracuse University and LeMoyne College. It's an area known for having a good sized Black middle class, Jews, Arabs, Asians(Eastern and Southern) and other groups including Gay folks. You see quite a few IR couples in that part of town, as well as other parts of the area. You are close to plenty of parks in that part of the city and in DeWitt. JetBlue flies out of Hancock International regularly. There's organic and health food stores in that area. You get chains in terms of restaurants, but you also get some good locally owned restaurants from Spanish Caribbean, Indian, East Asian, Arab, Mexican and so on. Home prices are affordable, even with taxes factored in. Here's some good websites for you:
Also, look into the Rochester NY area and specifically the SE quarter of the city and into suburbs like Brighton and Henrietta(Rush-Henrietta SD). In the Buffalo area, look at North Buffalo, Elmwood Village and Amherst(Amherst and Williamsville SD's, maybe Sweet Home SD too). In the Albany area, look at Niskayuna, South Colonie and North Colonie SD's. All are close to either Albany, Schenectady and Troy. Maybe even the Binghamton area, you can check Vestal or the nicer parts of Johnson City, which is a good and relatively diverse suburban SD in many ways(ethnically, economically, urban and suburban types of neighborhoods, blue collar and white collar, etc.).
wow, thanks you guys! BTW, Kyle19125, the Raleigh triangle area is on the top of our list so far. Glad you confirmed it's as nice as it sounded when we read about it. Thanks ckhthankgod.... I don't know much about upstate NY. Will definitely check it out!
wow, thanks you guys! BTW, Kyle19125, the Raleigh triangle area is on the top of our list so far. Glad you confirmed it's as nice as it sounded when we read about it. Thanks ckhthankgod.... I don't know much about upstate NY. Will definitely check it out!
Also, is there anything else you are looking for in terms of sprawl vs. density or city size limits? I would think that Ithaca would be perfect due to having an Ivy League school in Cornell and Ithaca College, which is also a good private college. Ithaca has some very walkable areas and the school district is very diverse due to being a college town. It's Asian population makes up about 16% of the city's population and you also have noticeable Black and Hispanic populations.
With Syracuse, you would be in an area that has the 5 general groups in terms of race/ethnicity including Native Americans. For instance, the LaFayette SD is about 33% Native American due to the Onondaga Indian nation being just south of the city. some other school districts have their share as well. There are plenty of cultural festivals as well in Downtown Syracuse too. As for schools, I mentioned J-D(as we call it here), but some give the Syracuse city East Side schools a shot, specifically on the Ed Smith K-8 and Nottingham High track. Many of the professors and staff at Syracuse University live in that part of the city and like I mentioned before into DeWitt and even the Fayetteville-Manlius area of the Eastern suburbs. There are many private school options in that part of the area as well.
Also, check schools in the urban school districts, as there are some good schools in those districts and there are some good charter schools in Upstate NY cities too. Some of the smaller major cities in the state might have good schools/programs in the HS too. If you notice a change in test scores, NY decided to change the standards of the tests during the year. So, that is why the scores are lower than the years before.
Also, is there anything else you are looking for in terms of sprawl vs. density or city size limits? I would think that Ithaca would be perfect due to having an Ivy League school in Cornell and Ithaca College, which is also a good private college. Ithaca has some very walkable areas and the school district is very diverse due to being a college town. It's Asian population makes up about 16% of the city's population and you also have noticeable Black and Hispanic populations.
With Syracuse, you would be in an area that has the 5 general groups in terms of race/ethnicity including Native Americans. For instance, the LaFayette SD is about 33% Native American due to the Onondaga Indian nation being just south of the city. some other school districts have their share as well. There are plenty of cultural festivals as well in Downtown Syracuse too. As for schools, I mentioned J-D(as we call it here), but some give the Syracuse city East Side schools a shot, specifically on the Ed Smith K-8 and Nottingham High track. Many of the professors and staff at Syracuse University live in that part of the city and like I mentioned before into DeWitt and even the Fayetteville-Manlius area of the Eastern suburbs. There are many private school options in that part of the area as well.
Also, check schools in the urban school districts, as there are some good schools in those districts and there are some good charter schools in Upstate NY cities too. Some of the smaller major cities in the state might have good schools/programs in the HS too. If you notice a change in test scores, NY decided to change the standards of the tests during the year. So, that is why the scores are lower than the years before.
Another city I forgot to mention is Troy. It's city school district had a 80% grad. rate and is diverse as well. Lansingburgh SD is also in Troy and could be a good fit too. It also has some good colleges and private schools too.
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