Moving soon (blindly!) and would love suggestions
 

I've been trying to find a great place to settle. Ive been moving around a lot lately and its time to be a bit more planted. Right now I'm in South Africa but coming back to the US in April without a place to go. Would love suggestions of places that come to mind when reading this post:) Please

I'm looking for somewhere absolutely beautiful, and green, with not too much traffic, yet quick access to fun things to do. We love live shows, broadway tours, farmers markets, and fun, unique new things (which are often found in a city, but I'm open to big towns also, or even open space if its close to a big city)

we love the ocean (and lakes and rivers) and would love to live right on the water, but we would sacrifice that if there are beautiful hills and tress and lots of green!

I lived in Boulder, CO for five years and loved it, but missed the water. Also, I like snow and would be open for some suggestions with snow, but I would prefer somewhere that didn't snow for half the year or more.

Finally, it needs to be somewhere good for jobs, but also good for studying. My boyfriend wants to go back to study, but he is flexible to where. He focuses on business and engineering, wanting to get more degrees.

Oh- and I grew up in a conservative environment, but obviously Boulder is very liberal. I'm very moderate and comfortable in both, but I hate narrow-mindedness...so that might be something to keep in mind. Also- really not looking for somewhere that is really superficial.

SO
prefer:
close to water (or just magical mountains),
not close-minded,
fun things to do,
little focus on superficial,
good for jobs/studying,
nice weather
somewhere green (in both meanings: environmentally conscious but even more so: the color green!)

I'm finding myself googling places like crazy and i really feel like taking this off my chest and getting advice from wise people out in the world could be the best move at this point. Thanks!

If money is no problem, either the New England coastal states or the northwestern coastal states would meet your requirements.

Paradise is only in the bible. Someplace like Hawaii probably come as close to ALL of your requirements as anything. Everywhere else is going to require compromise.

upstate New York; for example, Rochester has history, architecture, museums, lots of parks, culture (including first from Broadway tours), world-class music (Eastman), many universities, an excellent bus system, it's on a river and a Great Lake, and an hour from the Finger Lakes (scenery, history, wineries), Letchworth Gorge, waterfalls, etc. etc.
Hills to the south, lots of green, snow in the winter, beautiful autumns, and a huge price range in housing.
It's worth a look.
https://www.google.com/destination?q...C_EQri4IuwEwGw

Seattle has absolutely everything you desire (with the exception there is terrible traffic).

Look into San Luis Obispo, CA.

Hood River Oregon. Plenty of good colleges and medical services in Portland.
You can't beat kite surfing on the Columbia River.

Are you both Americans?

San Diego. Go find better weather. Won't happen.

I agree with Suze, Seattle has everything you are looking for, but housing is very expensive (and seems to get more expensive by the day). Traffic is terrible. There are good college and universities in town, and if you have some technology skills, the job market is booming.

San Luis Obispo or Santa Barbara California both universities are known for their engineering departments, we have green hills and the beautiful Pacific Ocean, which is cold, not tepid.

It is not inexpensive to live here, compared with much of the United States... you didn't mention a budget.

Really anywhere west coast works... California, Oregon, Washington.

Northwestern New Jersey
Eastern Shore (Maryland and Delaware)
Any Virginia city with a university, tho' Richmond and Charlottesvile have train access to Washington. It is really easy from Richmond. Cheap flights to Boston ($100 RT) from Richmond.

I am amused that Seattle is downgraded for heavy traffic. I don't particularly care for Seattle, but a person in the Northeast doesn't think they have a traffic problem. The University of Washington campus is very, very beautiful. The grey weather may suit you after the sun of [much of] SA.

"really not looking for somewhere that is really superficial."

What is an example of some place you consider superficial?

As much as I love Hood River, I do not think that would be a good fit for you. There is no university there, and it is at a minimum an hour from Portland. That is in good weather. In the winter, especially this winter where they have been hammered with snow/ice, there have been many days that the freeway has been totally shut down. So if you are dependent upon getting to Portland, that becomes a huge issue. Not a ton of jobs either, unless you are talking about restaurant work. They do have a hospital in town though.

<I>What is an example of some place you consider superficial?</I>

I would consider that code for parts of LA or some affluent suburban towns like Greenwich, CT.

Personally, I think Eugene would be a good choice if the bf can get into OU.

<I am amused that Seattle is downgraded for heavy traffic.>

You wouldn't be "amused" if you lived here. Traffic is horrendous. It's the one (and only) thing I don't like about Seattle.

suze, in Seattle

The PNW--Portland or Seattle, and their environs. Traffic is weirdly bad, but you can't have everything, and that's a pretty minor issue, to me, anyway.

Looking at your pared-down list:
<close to water (or just magical mountains),
not close-minded,
fun things to do,
little focus on superficial,
good for jobs/studying,
nice weather
somewhere green (in both meanings>

the PNW meets all the criteria.

Of course, "nice weather" is debatable anywhere. I couldn't stand the grey, rainy winters, but I live in Florida, which many people consider to have lousy weather.

People think the weather in Seattle is a lot worse than it is. It's a local joke that we tell Californians to keep any more of them from moving here!

We have lots of glorious days here, in all 4 seasons. Not to mention Mexico and Hawaii are both a very short plane ride away for a sunny winter vacations.

And it does fit all the other requirements requested here... on the water, stunning snowcapped mountains on both sides, progressive thinking, etc. etc.

suze--Same for Oregon;). Where is Tom Mccall when we need him;)

A solid week of rain unnerves me, and it rains a lot in the winter in both Seattle and Portland. It's all relative, and personal.