Family Friendly Cities to relocate to (Austin, Fort Worth: jobs, housing, low crime)

[WISTOMOVE]

What area would be a good place to move a family? Looking for someplace with really good schools - elementary, middle, high school and college, a more liberal bent politically, low crime, good recreation ie camping, fishing, biking etc. relatively close by. Would be looking for employment in IT and production. Any suggestions? Wanting to get away from Wisconsin winters. Looking for an area that isn't brown or flat with relatively nice housing.
I'll be right up front, the brown recluse spider thing gives me the heebie jeebies. I hate spiders.

[KewGee]

Do you like scorpions? I've never seen a recluse since living in Texas for 28 years, but I've seen many scorpions. I've also seen many black widows, but one learns to deal with them and the scorpions as well. I've never seen a tarantula, but I know they're around.

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by KewGee

Do you like scorpions? I've never seen a recluse since living in Texas for 28 years, but I've seen many scorpions. I've also seen many black widows, but one learns to deal with them and the scorpions as well. I've never seen a tarantula, but I know they're around.

Don't move to the west side of Fort Worth if you don't like tarantulas! They may not technically be tarantulas but they are huge brown spiders the size of a man's hand and can jump about 4 feet! I live in the mid cities now and haven't seen one since I've moved out here. They're not dangerous, as far as I know, but I hate big, creepy spiders. I think I fear them more than I do snakes. Haven't seen any scorpions around here either, and I'm outside quite a bit.

[heidegger]

Look into Raleigh NC!

You'd be surprised how much outdoor activity NC has to offer - drive from Raleigh east and you hit the Atlantic Ocean and the Outer Banks, drive to the west side of NC and you'll hit awesome mountain drives. I'm sure you know Research Triangle Park is excellent place to find IT jobs - not sure what you mean by production - manufacturing, they've got it, film/broadcasting? I don't know. Obviously you can find excellent schools in Chapel Hill, and there's a strong liberal faction (perhaps not quite the majority, but close - and if you head to the East Coast of NC, very democractic. Fairly affordable housing, and definitely green, green, green.

I've never lived there, but loved the visits and would go if opportunity knocked...

[WISTOMOVE]

Thanks for the info. Actually looking into the Austin area if possible. Not sure about the scorpians. Spiders are my main issue.

[RSTX]

Central Texas (which includes Austin) is a great place to live. I would not worry about the spiders. A pest control company will be able to take care of almost all bugs in your house.

[Trainwreck20]

Although Brown Recluse and Black Widow spiders are around, they are not common, especially in the city proper. If you move out the country and have kids, definitely get a good exterminator that comes out regularly. The recluse is definitely the more dangerous and the more likely to be around a habitated structure...they like wood piles and areas protected from the weather.

[AK123]

I agree, look at central TX. Exactly which city, well that depends on where your job will be and other factors like where the better schools are. For example, most people will probably tell you the suburban schools are generally better than schools inside Austin. You also don't want to spend all your time in your car commuting to your job.