Best place to live: weather and good school district? (fit in, crime)
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Which State would you suggest is good if there are only 2 factors?
Weather and Scenery: We would love to be out and about. We were told New Jersey is six months of Indoor during winters so definitely a NO. Have been in california just do not like the weather: too hot and dry hardly any landscape and greenery to go for hikings, road trips, walking through out the year. Hence again a NO.
School District: Have 2 young infants. Are moving for their future. So would love a place that gives them a holistic learning atmosphere. Good, competitive and progressive school system.
Chime in if you have any other factors that we must look at.
California seems like the obvious choice, but you said you don’t like it. Have you visited the San Francisco Bay Area? One of the smaller communities around there would be perfect.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Here in Sammamish, WA we have great schools, fantastic scenery and hiking trails, but 60" of rain annually. Where we lived in Castro Valley, California the schools were good, and it didn't get above 100 very often, but the "scenery" was dry hills with a few oak trees. Bainbridge Island, WA may meet your requirements. It's in part of the Olympic rain shadow, so only 40" of rain, just above the national average. The summer high is about 80, and less than 4" of winter snow, lows mostly higher than 37. The schools are good, and it's a forested island, so very scenic.
Here in Sammamish, WA we have great schools, fantastic scenery and hiking trails, but 60" of rain annually. Where we lived in Castro Valley, California the schools were good, and it didn't get above 100 very often, but the "scenery" was dry hills with a few oak trees. Bainbridge Island, WA may meet your requirements. It's in part of the Olympic rain shadow, so only 40" of rain, just above the national average. The summer high is about 80, and less than 4" of winter snow, lows mostly higher than 37. The schools are good, and it's a forested island, so very scenic.
I was tempted to mention Washington because it’s very good fit in many ways, but everyone seems to hate the weather. That’s why I recommended the Bay Area instead… If being dreary a lot is okay then it could be a great spot for the OP.
I'm sure there are many options. Just wanted to highlight my backyard, which sounds like it could be a good fit.
Check out the N. Atlanta metro. It's 30-65 minutes from the mountains, has a great city and airport nearby, with access to jobs. Ocean beaches are 4 hours away. Crime is low and schools are good. The landscape is hilly and one of the most lush in the entire US. Atlanta is also known as the "city in a forest."
No weather is perfect. June - early Sept is hot. Not unbearable hot, more akin to a Washington DC. Average highs are 88 degrees with decent humidity, but the elevation provides some relief vs the flat areas of the south. Winter highs are in the low to mid 50s.
School districts are great. More specifically, check out the following areas:
East Cobb
Alpharetta
Roswell (West)
Kennesaw
Woodstock
Dawsonville
Dahlonega
Suwanee
Johns Creek
San Jose, but the median home price is $1.9 million
Metro Areas(MSA) by % of High Schools in the Top 25% Nationally, 2022
73% San Jose
57% Miami
56% Los Angeles
54% San Francisco
54% Milwaukee
54% Bridgeport
54% Hartford
51% Boston
51% McAllen, TX
50% Washington DC
50% Madison, WI
49% Raleigh
49% Orlando
45% Austin
44% Tampa
42% Seattle
42% New York
42% Houston
42% San Diego
42% Sacramento
41% Chicago
40% Grand Rapids
40% Jacksonville
39% Dallas
39% Buffalo
38% Atlanta
38% Minneapolis
38% Rochester, NY
38% Virginia Beach
37% Denver
37% Worcester
36% Durham
36% Baltimore
36% Little Rock
35% Springfield, MA
34% Cleveland
34% El Paso
33% Albany, NY
33% Cincinnati
33% Columbus
33% Fresno
Missouri is loaded with good possibilities. Southern cost of living, but academic standards more like northern states. "Everything is up to date in Kansas City".
Missourians are very proud of their special tax levy to support outdoor recreation opportunities, including free-access to state parks and nearly 1,000 public use areas.
SW Suburbs of Portland, OR: Lake Oswego, West Linn, Wilsonville, Tigard, Sherwood...
Boise, ID proper is a good fit too. Much less rain than Portland, but lots of scenery in town and to the north. Mostly desert in the other directions which has its own beauty.
On the other coast: Williamsburg, VA is quite nice. Lots of scenery around the James and York Rivers, and out into Chesapeake Bay. Small mountains not far to the west. Immense amounts of US history throughout the area. We were very happy with, and our son did well, in their elementary schools.
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