Fodorite018

While Portland is a great place to live, you will not find a place for anywhere near $100/sq ft. Schools are a real issue here too. Like most places, to be in the area of good schools, the housing costs are much higher.

Margot

Thanks for all the postings.

As far as employment, my husband is a financial advisor, which he can do anywhere. The problem is building up a new client base. I am a graphic designer, which I can also do anywhere.

We love Slidell. We don't want to leave. We're playing "wait and see."

JRP - I'll tell you my perceptions of Denver, as someone raised in the south who's never been there. When I think of Denver I think of "Mork and Mindy" (yes, I know the show was supposed to take place in Boulder, but close enough, eh?). I also think of... John Denver! And snow piled up high on the sides of roads, lots of skiers walking around in parkas and snowflake sweaters, and lots of reddish-colored rocks in the summer after the snow melts. I'm sure I'm dead wrong!

I'm ruling out California (earthquakes!), but I've been to San Diego and think it must be one of the most beautiful places I've seen in the U.S. I also think Texas would be too hot.

mah1980 - The traffic IS a problem. I've found a shortcut so I can avoid Gause Blvd., but now it seems a lot of the contractors/dump trucks/ etc., have found the short cut, too. We actually have considered the Birmingham area. My best friend lives in Pelham and has been trying to get me there for years.

Thanks again, everyone.

claw123

Margot-My family and I have lived all over East of the Mississippi river, so I can offer up some good advice. Cleveland is where I grew up. It is a wonderful place to raise a family. The suburbs of Cleveland have terrific schools, although some neighborhoods are getting pricey! Solon, Chagrin Falls, Bainbridge, Hudson...just to name a few. The weather may look bad at a glance, however, the snowbelt has really moved in the last ten years, and now it is the areas right on the Lake that get the most snow.
My husband and I moved to Rockford, Il for about three years. Schools not so good, housing costs good-but taxes HIGH. What we loved about Rockford were the people. They were so, so nice.

Then it was on to Huntsville, AL. We loved Huntsville! Best place we have ever lived! Good schools, planned communities with pools and rec. facitilities right there, and housing costs were affordable! It was wonderful-and a great community spirit as well! You would still have the change of seasons...we saw snow about 3 times while we were there.
Then it was on to Cape Cod. This, however, has gotten way out of control on their housing costs since we left, and the schools were mediocre at best.

We now reside in Pittsburgh, PA. The housing is affordable, and it has it's share of good schools. Not too hot, not too cold a climate and they are really making strides to reinvent a lot of areas downtown. The only hang-up here is that most pepole grew up here and even though they are friendly, they are not that inclusive.

I would recommend Cleveland and Huntsville to you. I think you'd be very happy either place!

I wish you the best of luck!!!

JRP

Thanks Hazel and Margot for your perceptive views of Denver. Yes, it's arid. However, that's what we accept as an investment for a return of many, many sunny days. I felt the same about the lack of greenery when I first came here. Again, a plus as I can now view so much more of my world- including the beautiful Rockies. When visiting my home "back east", I've begun to feel claustraphobic and apprehensive about being surprised by the weather that I cannot see from miles away. The subdivision growth has slowed over the past year or two, but road expansion has grown tremendously and traffic has noticeably eased.
WOW- Mork and Mindy, funny memories Margot! But, uh...Boulder is close but a universe away. "The Republic Of Boulder", as the natives refer to it, is a great weekend destination and always a point of interest for visiting relatives. My perception is that John Denver was no more than an occassional visitor. So, Margot, you're nearly dead wrong. Especially when considering your image of towering piles of snow. We rarely see it and it rarely stays on the ground for more than a day. An hour West, in the high elevations...that's a different story. But we're thankful for the God given backdrop that it creates. Thanks so much for your views. Many of the same things that I perceived before coming here. Education, arts, entertainment, activities of a sporting as well as social nature...all things considered, and addressing the original question, I've come to appreciate Denver as a quality location for raising a family.

MaureenB

I second the idea of Kansas City. I grew up in K.C., and went to high school in St. Louis. I prefer K.C., as I think it's a 'younger' town. St. Louis gives a nod to its past, where K.C. seems to be rooted in today.
I recently settled my Dad's estate in K.C., and sold his home in a very nice suburb called Leawood. I live in Denver now. I am not exaggerating when I say his house would have cost at least five times as much in Denver as it sold for in K.C. Plus, you can't beat the friendliness of the midwest. But, the winters can be cold, the summers hot.

jendirt

I've heard that Madison, WI has topped the list of best places to raise a family many times before. Lakes, green trees, fall colors, rolling hills - the gorgeous area of Wisconsin Dells is nearby - lots of waterparks and family fun. Check it out: http://www.dells.com/

I live south of Madison in a suburb closer to Milwaukee, and since becoming an adult and traveling the country, I've truly come to appreciate my midwest upbringing. Try this website:
http://www.visitmadison.com/

PS. The winters are often not a severe as people think. The problem is they are just so darn long here!!!

Wayne

With all due respect for the opinions of those who live in, or recommended, places located in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the like---I do believe Margot will not be happy with the extreme winter temperatures in such locations.

I have no business being so insistent about this, but after reading all the information on this thread, and after further consideration of what Margot might like, I have the following recommendations:
-Huntsville, Alabama-still a great place.
-Oak Ridge, Tennessee-also great.

I have personal experience with these two locations. I've lived in lots of places and traveled extensively to even more, and for what I believe you want, these might be the best.

However, since you are attorneys in Louisiana, you are accustomed to the Napoleonic code of law. For that reason, and knowing what a neat place Natchitoches is, it would be on my list of "best place to stay" if you remain in Louisiana. If you haven't checked out the Natchitoches area, give it a look. I think you'd be pleasantly surprised.

JJ5

You also have to consider taxes. For instance, WI has extremely high taxes.

I agree that you would more house and like KC. And Cleveland and Columbus OH are both good places for families.

buckeyemom

Money Magazine/CNN best places to live:
http://money.cnn.com/best/bplive/top100_1.html

Saraho

i agree with Wayne. Nachitoches is really a pleasant Louisiana town and no Hurricanes come there. It is our second favorite place in Louisiana to spend a weekend at a B&B.

christiegr

Check out Fuquay Varina, NC..its 30 minutes South of Raleigh.The schools are wonderful (most are school of excellence).Its also about 40 minutes from RDU airport.2 hours from the beach..so less threat of hurricanes.We also experience all 4 seasons.Sounds like the perfect place for you.Your cost for a home is about right for our area.

Good luck!
Christie

Christina

I agree with Wayne on the weather thing -- Wisconsin and Minnesota certainly are not moderate weather. They are very cold in winter. I've been there in winter, this is not moderate. Even Cleveland, which someone else recommended, is very cold and snowy. I used to live there. I think Ohio is a good moderate cost state, but would stick to Cincinnati or Columbus or the southern part.

Kansas City sounds good, but I thought a lot of those flat midwestern prairie states had tornados (ie, Wizard of Oz story). Well, I used to live in Oklahoma and that is fairly moderate weather and moderate cost, except for the tornados. We used to have regular tornado drills in school like other kids have fire drills. I wouldn't recommend OK anyway, but I know there are tornados out there.

I think the Huntsville and TN suggestions sound good. What about Arkansas?

tcreath

I live in a fairly flat area in Illinois, not far from St. Louis, and tornadoes are not really too much of an issue. Sure, the flat midwestern states get tornadoes each year, but most don't cause too much damage, especially when compared to hurricanes. I don't think there are too many places in the U.S. where one could go and not worry about at least one form of natural disaster.

Tracy

kamahinaohoku

MONEY magazine and CNN/Money spent months looking for Great American Towns -- where you would want to raise your children and celebrate life's milestones." Moorestown, NJ was chosen the #1 place to live in the US.

bbqboy

Lawrence, Kansas meets all your needs. Big University and the attractions that go with it. Good schools, easy proximity to a major town and airport-KC- and little crime etc. Next to Johnson County, Kansas with lots of Jobs too.

bbqboy

...about Oregon and the PNW: this is where I'd give my Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon spiel, but we're too far from SF or Portland by your standards, although we have commuter flights to both, and I'm afraid housing prices are out of line with your criteria. Other than that, it IS a perfect place to raise a family. Moderate 4 season climate,(flowers all winter) skiing on Mt. Ashland, ocean 1 1/2 hr. away, little violent crime...
Take a look at Medford, Oregon and the surrounding Rogue Valley area.
We moved here in 1989 from Phoenix, and find there's few things to do in "Big Cities" that we can't do here.

Margot

Hello, everyone. Great suggestions. We have considered the Northern Alabama area - green and hilly are definitely things I'm interested in. I've never been to Arkansas, but my husband has, and spent time somewhere on a lake (Lake Powell?), which he enjoyed.

I'm looking at all of the great websites you've recommended, and researching home prices on realtor.com to get an idea of the housing costs.

MaureenB

Although we love Denver, I wouldn't recommend it to you for a few reasons: it is growing alarmingly fast so has significant growing pains (infrastructure, budget, water rights, etc.), it's bigger than you want (you said 50,000), it's much more expensive than you want, and the job market isn't very healthy right now. Plus, I think Denver was $100/sq.ft. about 15 years ago. Also, all the new growth threatens to ruin the city and the environment, IMHO. With so many other choices, I'd suggest you consider a town that isn't expanding so rapidly.
It's fun to read this thread and be reminded what a wonderful and diverse country we live in. So many choices-- your heads will be spinning. You're smart to research so thoroughly. Hopefully you'll find a home where you can really put down roots. Good luck!

MaureenB

P.S. I forgot to mention that my cousin, who moves about every three years with his job, recently moved away from Denver to Arkansas. He probably had a budget of about $400,000 and ended up building a new, palatial home in Arkansas, set on a large wooded lot with all the bells & whistles. For that same $400,000 he sold a fairly cheaply-constructed home in one of Denver's over-grown south suburbs, Highlands Ranch (which National Geographic made fun its expanse of boring rooftopos many years ago). My point again is how much further your home dollar can go in the midwest. I think many people overlook how wonderful it is there.

MaureenB

P.P.S. I'm really a spaz today-- sorry for sounding like I was totally dissing Highlands' Ranch. I'm not, and didn't mean to use its name in a negative way. It encompasses a large area and has beautiful homes and streets now, lined with trees planted since the National Geo article. Like anywhere, it has its 'tract' homes, too. Some streets like the one where my cousin lived, the homes are cheap looking and all alike with big three-car garages the first thing you see.
My point was just how much $400,000 doesn't buy you in Denver anymore.