Small Town Feel w/ in 45 miles of Primary Children's Hospital?

[markg91359]

Hi all!

Hoping you can help... We currently live in the greater Phoenix,
Arizona area and we are looking to relocate.

A little about us:
We are in our early 30's, the parents of a special needs (heart
defect) daughter who is adopted. We are looking for the idyllic
"quaint" area. I grew up outside of San Francisco but went to high
school in Sheboygan, WI and my husband grew up in Jackson Hole,
Wyoming. We like the smaller communities and we're looking for a small
town feel with some amenities. I'd like a community where one can get
involved, one with good schools, a middle-class cost of living, and
very safe. My daughter will require numerous heart surgeries over the
course of her life, so we're looking at the top 25 pediatric
cardiology facilities and searching a 45 mile radius around the area.

In Arizona, kids can't do sports in the summer because of the heat. No
kids play outside, and after 5 years in my current home, I still don't
know most of my neighbors. I'd like a town where kids play outside,
the neighbors know one another, the town goes to the high school
football games.

.................................................. ............................................

I'd recommend Farmington or Kaysville north of Salt Lake in Davis County. Both are approximately 45 minutes from Primary Children's Hospital by automobile. The cities have plenty of sports and recreational activities for the kids. Summers here are much cooler. If you live in Farmington, you'd be right next door to the only real amusement park in Utah, Lagoon.

Kaysville, on the other hand, has a "little downtown" complete with its own movie theater. There's a shop that sells desserts and sweets, a couple of minor restaurants nearby, a laundry, a shop that sells fly fishing supplies, and across the street the city building, including a library. The schools in both cities are as good as they get in Utah.

[MidMtnGurl]

Hi Marchesefam,

I just wanted to pass along to you that my boyfriend and I attended an incredibly amazing "small-town" event this past Friday evening here in Park City. A local family has a 4-yr-old daughter who was born with serious heart defects. Jeanne, the Mom is a singer/songwriter and held a CD release party/concert to announce her new CD "Cleanse My Soul". She is donating a portion of the proceeds to The Children's Heart Foundation. This had to be the most heartfelt and touching event that I have witnessed in a long time. So many of the people who have been involved in supporting this family emotionally and financially were in attendance and were enjoying celebrating little 4-yr-old Katherine's life. It was also wonderful to see so many of the nurses who have cared for Katherine at this event dancing it up to the great music. It was a small group who attended overall (maybe 100 or so), but that made it all the more intimate and touching.

Here is a link to the event and little bit about Jeanne and her family:
Local singer shares heartening story - The Park Record

I realize that my post is not really addressing what information you were actually looking for, but I thought that if you did end up in the Salt Lake City area that knowing of another family with similar circumstances might be helpful. I'm sure Jeanne would be interesting in meeting you, hearing your story and sharing theirs.

Here is Jeanne's website with her email address:
Jeanne Rettos Logan Home

I wish you and your family all the best in your decision and a long, happy life to your daughter

Pam

[Nonna2trips]

I am not very knowledgable about pediatric cardiac hospitals. I wonder what other hospitals may be a possibility for you. Utah has cold and snowy winters just like WI and WY. How has she handled the altitudes on visits to WY? I would think you wouldn't get out as much if she is bothered by cold. Just a thought!