Where would you live in the US if you have remote job (house)

[krakozavr]

Let's imagine you have a remote job and you can afford a house $400-500K, not more.
Are there places in the US with mountains, not far ocean and good schools? It would be mid-size city I think.
Since I am software engineer it would be great to be more near to hi-tech, so probably California is most appropriate place. It also allow to easy traveling in SF, LA or SD. But as far as I know it is so crowd and expensive, with traffic and smog.

I live in Colorado Springs, very good place - mountains, very clean, squirrels and rabbits, affordable housing. But it is too far from any ocean. I am not sure whether it is really a flaw, but I would like to have more near ocean, just in case :-)
Since I have not bought a house yet I consider another places in the US for living in the future.

What a place it could be?

[Natural510]

Mountains AND ocean in the same locale probably won't happen outside Hawaii, but there are some which are a few hours' drive from the coast, like Tahoe area or North Carolina.

[krakozavr]

It should not be the same place, but not too far. Probably Tahoe area is such a place.
It should not be too far from civilization in case you need good restaurants or a hospital.

What do you think about Tahoe area, east of Sacramento vs Colorado Springs?

[Natural510]

Davis is a nice town...it's on the small side but is a university town with good restaurants halfway between Sac and Tahoe.

[Pyroninja42]

Northern Virginia sounds like it would work for you.

[nightlysparrow]

Ventura, CA is right on the ocean, with hills behind it and mountains close by:
http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...rice-na-500000