Seeking Medium-sized city, great for family (low crime, schools, living)

[ukusmom]

We currently live in Virginia and are miserable! We are a very liberal family that loves to have things to do. I know all the things we are looking for may be impossible to meet, but this is what we would like:

Lots to do
Low crime
Great schools
Affordable living
A place that has excellent transportation/or places you can walk
On East side of USA
Liberal and not a bible belt

We are desperate to move but have no idea where a great place to go is. We want a place that is safe to bring up our kids, and has great education. We are currently bored in our area and would love a place with botanical gardens, zoos, aquariums, etc. If you know anywhere that meets this criteria, please reply!

Thanks.

[dullnboring]

Well, the Eastern portion of the U.S., especially the more liberal parts, tends to be on the pricier side of things. I think your best bet may be one of the smaller towns and cities in upstate New York or maybe a smallish New England city like Burlington or Portland. However, these sorts of areas may not have enough to do to keep your interest. Ever consider Rhode Island? Cost of living isn't as bad as what it is elsewhere in the Northeast, the schools in general are very good, some of the towns and cities are very walkable, Providence is a cool mid-size city, Newport a cool small city, and you're pretty close to Boston

[jmusmc85]

Try the Wrightsville Beach area in North Carolina. Its a great little beach town next to Wilmington which is a mid size city. Theres an aquarium a few miles away and the downtown section of Wilmnigton is pretty quant. Even though its in the south there isnt too much bible thumpers around the area as you might think.

[SteelCityRising]

Ithaca, NY is probably the most liberal city in Upstate NY, but it is also relatively isolated and wouldn't have enough to captivate your family for long. Scranton, PA is a short drive to NYC and Philadelphia with the fraction of the cost-of-living and crime, but the folks here overall are not liberal or quick to accept new ideas. Bethlehem, PA is an even shorter drive to both NYC and Philadelphia, but the cost-of-living has been rising steadily in recent years. Folks there tend to be moderates. Princeton, NJ is a liberal mecca midway between NYC and Philly, but the cost-of-living there is insane.

I suppose this will be another vote for Providence. The people of Rhode Island tend to be liberal, you're close to Boston, but the cost-of-living is also high.

[HighlandsGal]

Grand Rapids, Michigan

[Markey]

Des Moines, Iowa fits a lot of your criteria. I'm not sure if there is any one place that will meet all your needs but I hope you can find a place which provides a nice balance of culture, safety and affordability. Try ****.com for quick quiz to see what cities their models pick for you.

[MikeG2011]

Providence is good to live in, it is close to the ocean, there's plenty of shopping, parks, etc., and NYC and Boston can be reached in 3 hours or less (Boston can be reached in 40)