Cultural Creative Town (home, universities, living)

[Amy Belanger]

Folks,

I'm over 40 and longing for a place to settle down and call home. Any input will be much appreciated.

I'm seeking the land of the cultural creatives: Artsy, intellectual, liberal, caretaker of nature, respectful of diversity (in race, religion, lifestyle), innovative, spiritual (but not religious), peace loving, globally aware, politically active, personally responsible... Some might call this "crunchy."

Here are the other features I'm looking for:

Mid-sized to small (Pop. under 1 million, as low as 200,000)
Near mountains and forests
Affordable living
Colleges/universities nearby
Relatively few big, polluting industries or nuke plants
Cultural activities
Historic preservation
Good climate (not too cold or hot)
No Midwestern cities, please (prefer East)

Any recommendations? If you will give me detailed suggestions, I'll compile them and make them available on this site to other folks seeking the same.

Amy

[radraja]

Asheville, NC. sounds perfect for you.

[backdrifter]

Eugene, OR is the first city that popped into my head. If you're willing to head out west rather than back east then it could be a very good fit for you.

There are about 200,000 people in the urban area and it's home to the University of Oregon. This city has a reputation as the original poster child of "crunchiness." The climate is moderate, it's near the outdoors, yet has a fair share of culture, and is relatively affordable.

Best of all, definitely no nuke plants around.

[goozer]

Both Eugene and Asheville sprang to my mind before I read the posts recommending both cities. I'll throw in Madison, WI for consideration too.

[radraja]

Originally Posted by goozer

Both Eugene and Asheville sprang to my mind before I read the posts recommending both cities. I'll throw in Madison, WI for consideration too.

Madison probably wouldn't work, because she wants mountains, a mild climate, and nothing in the mid-west. And depending on her price range, it may be too pricey.

I'll second Eugene though (it's not the east coast, but it's not the midwest either, and it otherwise works).

Morgantown, WV could maybe work too...it's in the mountains, affordable, a collegetown, has fairly moderate weather, and has been named a Tree City USA.

[MJinAustin]

I was going to say Eugene, Oregon too! Ashville, NC sure is pretty though...I understand that it has a fairly diverse population compared to the rest of the tobacco-growing state...but I don't know that from personal experience. What about Burlington, Vermont?

[BacktoNE]

Burlington VT would be a perfect fit, except for the "too cold" part. However, a trip to LL Bean or LandsEnd solves that problem very easily.

[JMT]

I immediately thought of Asheville, North Carolina, too. Of course I live only 100 miles from there and have a cabin near there so I guess I'm a little biased.

But it definitely meets all of the OP's criteria.

I thought about Eugene and Boulder, too, but the OP said she prefers the East.

[MJinAustin]

Originally Posted by JMT

I thought about Eugene and Boulder, too, but the OP said she prefers the East.

Boulder would have been nice 20-30 years ago, but it's ridiculously expensive, self-absorbed, and really is just about part of Denver because the burbs have practically grown right up to the border of the city. It's not going to be on its own for much longer.

[creeksitter]

Yup, Asheville has attracted so many crunchy newcomers they have created animosity with the original residents.

Once again we have the conundrum of someone who states they are looking for diversity but yet it appears they want to be surrounded by people just like themselves.