Recommendation for best place to raise a family? (elementary schools, university)

[mom2justynsarah]

My husband & I were raised in New York. But we re-located to S. Florida (family) about 11 years ago. Our two children (9 & 3) are being raised here. But we are yearning for a different way of life. I know there are so many variables. But here is what WE are looking for.

Four Seasons
Lots of Mountains with fresh air
Affordable housing ($175-$250)
Great school system
Tons of outdoor activities (NOT anywhere near a beach!) lol.
Lots of cultural events
Big city with small town mentality

Are we asking for too much?

THANKS!
mom2justynsarah

[STLCardsBlues1989]

As far as mountains I'd suggest somewhere in Colorado or along the Rocky Mountains.

[bigdave01]

I would say Denver, Boise, or Salt Lake City.

[SouthCali4LifeSD]

i guess san diego is out of the question, but consider:

near mountain towns with 4 seasons,
nice weather
beaches
sea world
san diego zoo
lego land
safe suburbs
very safe city
lots of parks
lots of malls
some of the best elementary schools
near disneyland/california adventure, knotts berry farm, six flags magic mountain, universal studios,
i can go on...

what else can kids ask for?

[CMDallas]

Spokane WA...
Near Mountains..sorta?
4 Seasons
Far from the beach
Fairly affordable Living
Greta Outdoorsy city
small town mentality
Idk about the schools... but they can't be that bad?

[JMT]

Originally Posted by mom2justynsarah

My husband & I were raised in New York. But we re-located to S. Florida (family) about 11 years ago. Our two children (9 & 3) are being raised here. But we are yearning for a different way of life. I know there are so many variables. But here is what WE are looking for.

Four Seasons
Lots of Mountains with fresh air
Affordable housing ($175-$250)
Great school system
Tons of outdoor activities (NOT anywhere near a beach!) lol.
Lots of cultural events
Big city with small town mentality

Are we asking for too much?

THANKS!
mom2justynsarah

Knoxville, Tennessee. Four very distinct seasons, very affordable, some excellent school systems (particularly Oak Ridge), tons of outdoor activities in the mountains and lakes, lots of cultural events thanks in large part to the university, and a definite small town mentality even though there are 800,000 in the Knoxville-Sevierville metro area.

Some pics of the city and the surrounding area (pics taken from Google Images):





http://www.knoxvillemarathon.com/Upload/images/knoxville-mntns.jpg (broken link)



Knoxville Opera's Rossini Festival last month:
http://www.knoxvilleopera.com/rossini/indexpic.jpg (broken link)

The area surrounding Knoxville:



http://www.tellicovillage.org/tvpoa/images/Tellico2.jpg (broken link)

http://marinerspointe.com/Images/Images/Lake%20Shots%20006.jpg (broken link)







http://www.boogertowngap.com/images/dsc00075a.jpg (broken link)