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It seems like city-data.com is loaded with wonderful forums for so many geographic regions across the country. I've browsed many threads in a variety of different locations because I am so fascinated with the geographic diversity of America. I often think about moving, and I love the threads where people ask for advice on whether they should relocate to a particular spot.
And that got me thinking...
What if I posted a thread that was a completely open ended request for suggestions on where I should live? Would people come up with the same spots I think about? Or would a completely new idea I had never heretofore considered arise?
Here are my 10 criteria. Based on these guidelines, what places do you think of?
1) Could be anywhere in the United States
2) Family of 4. Husband, wife, son who is 3, daughter who is 6 months
3) Family income of about 90,000. Husband works full time, wife part time. Income will probably go up to 110k-120k when wife goes back full time later on (when kids in elementary school)
4) Would seek a house in the 200k - 250k range, we have enough for a 20% down payment
5) Need to live somewhere within driving distance of a college or university (say 30-40 min drive time, at most)
6) Husband and wife HATE heat. Warm summers are fine. Four distinct seasons are preferred. But much happier in a cooler climate than a hot climate.
7) Proximity to mountainous area preferred (active hikers, runners, campers, etc).
8) Quality school system valued for children
9) Family is politically/culturally moderate. Not looking for a place on either extreme of the spectrum (e.g. we'd probably be just as unhappy in the Haight Ashbury as we would in suburban Mississippi).
10) Doesn't have to be a big city, but should be within a reasonable driving distance of a big enough city to have normal amenities like restaurants, movie theaters, some big box stores for shopping, etc.
So with those 10 restrictions, what comes to mind?
Thanks in advance! Looking forward to hearing what people come up with.
Here are my 10 criteria. Based on these guidelines, what places do you think of?
1) Could be anywhere in the United States
2) Family of 4. Husband, wife, son who is 3, daughter who is 6 months
3) Family income of about 90,000. Husband works full time, wife part time. Income will probably go up to 110k-120k when wife goes back full time later on (when kids in elementary school)
4) Would seek a house in the 200k - 250k range, we have enough for a 20% down payment
5) Need to live somewhere within driving distance of a college or university (say 30-40 min drive time, at most)
6) Husband and wife HATE heat. Warm summers are fine. Four distinct seasons are preferred. But much happier in a cooler climate than a hot climate.
7) Proximity to mountainous area preferred (active hikers, runners, campers, etc).
8) Quality school system valued for children
9) Family is politically/culturally moderate. Not looking for a place on either extreme of the spectrum (e.g. we'd probably be just as unhappy in the Haight Ashbury as we would in suburban Mississippi).
10) Doesn't have to be a big city, but should be within a reasonable driving distance of a big enough city to have normal amenities like restaurants, movie theaters, some big box stores for shopping, etc.
So with those 10 restrictions, what comes to mind?
Charlottesville, VA would be a great fit as it ticks all of your criteria.
It seems like city-data.com is loaded with wonderful forums for so many geographic regions across the country. I've browsed many threads in a variety of different locations because I am so fascinated with the geographic diversity of America. I often think about moving, and I love the threads where people ask for advice on whether they should relocate to a particular spot.
And that got me thinking...
What if I posted a thread that was a completely open ended request for suggestions on where I should live? Would people come up with the same spots I think about? Or would a completely new idea I had never heretofore considered arise?
Here are my 10 criteria. Based on these guidelines, what places do you think of?
1) Could be anywhere in the United States
2) Family of 4. Husband, wife, son who is 3, daughter who is 6 months
3) Family income of about 90,000. Husband works full time, wife part time. Income will probably go up to 110k-120k when wife goes back full time later on (when kids in elementary school)
4) Would seek a house in the 200k - 250k range, we have enough for a 20% down payment
5) Need to live somewhere within driving distance of a college or university (say 30-40 min drive time, at most)
6) Husband and wife HATE heat. Warm summers are fine. Four distinct seasons are preferred. But much happier in a cooler climate than a hot climate.
7) Proximity to mountainous area preferred (active hikers, runners, campers, etc).
8) Quality school system valued for children
9) Family is politically/culturally moderate. Not looking for a place on either extreme of the spectrum (e.g. we'd probably be just as unhappy in the Haight Ashbury as we would in suburban Mississippi).
10) Doesn't have to be a big city, but should be within a reasonable driving distance of a big enough city to have normal amenities like restaurants, movie theaters, some big box stores for shopping, etc.
So with those 10 restrictions, what comes to mind?
Thanks in advance! Looking forward to hearing what people come up with.
Grand Rapids.
Fits all of your criteria minus mountainous area, but it's proximity to the north country gives the same amenities for hikers/bikers and outdoor enthusiasts in general. Real estate on the rise but at or below that price range for new homes with 3/2 beds/baths. Its winter temperatures are moderated by lake Michigan and usually low 30s high 20s. However it is snowy! It jockeys with Buffalo for who has snowier winters. Growing economy, underrated arts scene, and established and growing core. Well funded and growing education scene, as well as health care. It often gets overlooked, but I know I was surprised when I moved there.
I'll throw out an underrated Upstate NY community in New Hartford. Very good school system. It is a suburb of Utica and is with an hour/hour and a half from the Adirondacks and the Catskills aren't much further away. Old Forge in the Adirondacks could be a good place for the family with its water park, campsites and nice quaint village about an hour away. In that area, you have Utica College, Hamilton College, SUNYIT and Mohawk Valley Community College. It has a lot of big box shopping, the area's mall and movie theaters. That income should be fine for that community. Nearby Clinton could be another option in that area, as could the areas of the Whitesboro SD north of Utica, which puts you even closer to the Adirondacks.
Saratoga Springs and surrounding towns may work as well.
Amherst and Northampton in Massachusetts come to mind too.
Intermountain West, although I don't think Denver is a good fit given your housing budget. Maybe Colorado Springs, Cheyenne, Casper, Salt Lake City, or Provo. I'd recommend Boise, but Boise occasionally gets triple digit spells during the summer.
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