Help me find a veggie friendly, sunny place in the mountains. (New York: rentals, crime)

[Veggie Chick]

I have been advised to move to New England by a well known and respected astrocartographer. I am not excited by the idea because I don't know much about New England and shiver at the thought of a New England winter. I am posting this under New York because for some reason I feel more drawn to it then New England states.

I am hoping some one out there can help me find the perfect town. I am seeking: kid friendly, veggie friendly we are a Vegitarian family, liberal, laid back, drumming circles, organic, great public schools with very small class sizes, not too small ( small city rather then small town), friendly people, safe community (lowest crime rate), sunny with little snow and higher temperatures, no freezing cold long winters, more sun, not humid, mountains, green, great hiking trails and parks. You get the picture.

Please help, I don't know if I will find such a place on the East Coast. Ithaca and Woodstock are of interest in New York. I don't know of a place in New England.

Help.

[ScranBarre]

Burlington, Vermont also comes to mind, as do some of the college towns in Western Massachusetts like Amherst or Northampton. Saratoga Springs, NY is another option. I'm also a fan of Ithaca.

Once gentrification from Manhattan is complete in like 30 years, Scranton, PA will be added to that list as well I'm sure. LOL!

[Veggie Chick]

Thank you, I am wondering if you know much about the weather in these areas? I am looking for the most sunny days possible. I would rather have snow with sun than the dark gloom I am living in now ( Portland, Oregon )for nine months a year. I went to Burlington last year and liked it some. I learned that they get a lot of dark gloomy days in the winter and being farther north they also have more snow. I think I have ruled Burlington out.

I really appreciate your comments.
V.C.

[WallStreetWarrior]

Ithaca. Enough said. The only issue is kid-friendliness. It is a college-town, so I'm not sure it's perfect for you. Other than that, Ithaca is spot on with your criteria.

[I'minformed2]

I think you are looking for...Colorado....New York state is in the Northeast....that means that durring the winter (especially in the mountains) its going to be cold, there's going to be snow, and it's going to be cloudy, and durring the summer, it is going to be hot and humid. Spring and Fall (and summer really, it doesn't get NEARLY as humid in the Adirondacks as it does at the lower elevations) are absolutely beautiful in upstate ny, especially in the mountain regions....but there are definitely 4 distinct and different seasons in the region. It sounds more to me like you are looking for a place out west....like Colorado....it gets colder there durring winter than it does in the northeast, but they get more sun. Its very dry so hot much humidity durring summer. I am a HUGE booster for Upstate NY, I love the region more than anyone....but I know its not for everyone, and I don't think it sounds like its the place for you.

[Sgoldie]

I agree with Iminformed.

Everyone here has given you great suggestions for lovely places and you had me right up until you mentioned you didn't want freezing long cold winters. That's all there is in the NE (w the exception of Long Island possibly for a lesser amount of snow). Other than that you'd better stick with Virginia and south if you're considering the east coast, and then you're unlikely to find the more liberal lifestyle you're describing.

[Veggie Chick]

Thanks to all of you for responding, I really appreciate the time it takes and any information is valuable to me. I have no clue what I will end up doing, for now I am reading hundreds of these posts and learning more then I could just researching town websites and the like.


Veggie Chick

[Jobine]

Hi Veggie Chick
Woodstock is definately worth checking out. Veggie coops, farm markets. There is a youth center in town with a skateboard park. Every Sunday at the Village Green there is a free drumming circle that can go on for hours. Plenty of music, arts, plays, shows, cafes, shops, books and the like. Even wifi in town. There are plenty of resources for help for moms. And this summer has been plenty of sun with a good much needed thunderstorm now and then. I love it here. Check out craigslist.org (Hudson Valley and Catskill Regions) for ideas on rents and what's available under rentals/vacation rentals. Also look at the activity section to see what's happening in the area. Good Luck.

[eileen824]

Everyone always forgets New Paltz! Very liberal(their mayor was involved in the gay marriage controversy) college town, not too far upstate, many vegetarian options, affordable, PLENTY of hiking options. Google the area and you'll see! Good luck!

[dzine32]

Buffalo has crazy winters and we aren't the sunniest place either. Don't go to VA or NC, not liberal and too southern. What about New Hampshire, too rural?

I just found hip forums com.....

hope this link shows up:
Hip Forums - hippy towns in new york state? Archives
Hip Forums - hippy towns in new york state?