Seeking Liberal City with Great Education (home, theatre, living in)

[ukusmom]

We are a family with small children and absolutely hate living in Virginia. We need a liberal medium sized city that has great education.

Although we realize all of our list of priorities may not can be met, we would like a place that:
Is safe
Great education
Liberal
That we can do a lot of walking instead of constantly using the car
Plenty of family things to do (zoo, botanical gardens, aquarium, theatre)
Preferably on the east side of USA

Please please help. We are miserable where we are currently and would like to make a change. Safety and good education is very important to us!

Thanks!

[Ham Sandwich]

Originally Posted by ukusmom

We are a family with small children and absolutely hate living in Virginia. We need a liberal medium sized city that has great education.

Although we realize all of our list of priorities may not can be met, we would like a place that:
Is safe
Great education
Liberal
That we can do a lot of walking instead of constantly using the car
Plenty of family things to do (zoo, botanical gardens, aquarium, theatre)
Preferably on the east side of USA

Please please help. We are miserable where we are currently and would like to make a change. Safety and good education is very important to us!

Thanks!

You're talking about Ithaca, NY, home of Cornell and more tree-hugging peace folks than you'll know what to do with. (I'm a tree-hugging Peace-Mom, myself!)

You should go inquire on the New York State thread. I live about an hour north of Ithaca, so I can give you only an "outsider" opinion.... and YES, it fits what you're asking for!!

But you should actually get the input of residents over there, and that's best done by asking on the NY thread.
~Ham Sandwich

[picsesmauve957]

There are plenty of nice places, I would suggest Manitou Springs, CO, it's a very nice town with lots of liberals and tons of character and charm. Only one problem, price.

I don't know too many in the eastern United States, sorry.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by picsesmauve957

There are plenty of nice places, I would suggest Manitou Springs, CO, it's a very nice town with lots of liberals and tons of character and charm. Only one problem, price.

I don't know too many in the eastern United States, sorry.

Another problem with Manitou is that it is a suburb of Colorado Springs, which is arguably the most conservative city in Colorado. (Certainly one of the most conservative.)

[gimme it]

I haven't been there yet, but Iowa City might fit the bill (not on the east coast though)

[JakeDog]

Portland fits the bill perfectly, but wrong coast.

[Greatday]

Why does it have to be a "liberal" city?

[JakeDog]

Originally Posted by Greatday

Why does it have to be a "liberal" city?

This is something that comes up again and again on these forums, but for many (particularly those that are not religious and/or are jewish, buddist, etc.) a conservative city is a stifling place. Most liberal cities have plenty of conservatives if you are so inclined, but many conservative cities (particularly in the South) are just plain uncomfortable for those with less conservative attitudes.

[gimme it]

Originally Posted by Greatday

Why does it have to be a "liberal" city?

The question is "why not a liberal city"?

[Capt. Dan]

Bloomington Indiana