Best/most beautiful places to raise a family?? (crime rate, movies)

[ItalianGrl88]

What are the best/Most beautiful places to raise a family?? considering (in this order)

1. Lowest crime rates

2. Excelling School systems

3. Best Hospitals

4. Lots of lakes/ocean

5. Small town/friendly feel

6. Green, green and more green/Mountains

7. Shopping

Doing some research........

[Katarina Witt]

Here is a link to evaluate schools state by state: U.S. Chamber of Commerce - Leaders and Laggards: A State-by-State Report Card on Educational Effectiveness
However, I would take all that with a grain of salt. It seems to be weighted in favor of charter schools.

[leavingcali]

Based on your criteria, I suggest looking into Minnesota and Wisconsin.

[Minnehahapolitan]

Minnesota
Wisconsin
Washington
Oregon

[SpeedyAZ]

I'd say just about anywhere in the Midwest possibly Minneapolis or if you want a smaller area maybe the Quad Cities or Milwaukee. The midwest would definetly be your best bet considering the criteria.

[Jammie]

My suggestion is the Black Hills of South Dakota. Rapid City is the largest city in the area, but there are many others~Deadwood, Lead, Custer, Hill City, Keystone, Hot Springs, Spearfish, etc. It's a beautiful area if you like nature. They're called "hills", but in reality they could be classified as mountains. They got that name from the Sioux translation~Paha Sapa. Harney Peak is the highest point east of the Rockies. In comparison to a lot of the country, the crime rate is low, the cost of living is relatively low, the people are friendly, clean air, etc. There is so much to see and do there and the best things there are free. Mt. Rushmore is in the area and they're also still blasting out a memorial to Crazy Horse. You can take a day trip from there and travel through the Badlands. They're beautiful and you'll think you're in another world because they're very unusual. Wall Drug is another good day trip from Rapid.

There have been a few movies either filmed there or partially filmed there. The end of Dances With Wolves with the winter scene shows the nice scenery there. I understand that Braveheart was also filmed there. It's worth checking out because it seems to fit the description of what you're looking for.

[ItalianGrl88]

Thank you all so much....I appreciate your suggestions. If anyone has any others feel free to share

Thank you!

[BacktoNE]

Maine
Minnesota
Washington
Oregon

[lil yuca]

Defently ORegon and Washington

[Futcha]

Saratoga Springs, NY. Nice, quaint town with great shopping. It's close to Albany and the Adirondack Mountains.