Considering moving within US, What city/area would you suggest?

[tulip]

I've never been to Green Bay, but it seems like it has everything going for it: good air, community, family. The winters would be different, but if you got into XC skiing, you might find that you look forward to it as much as cycling in the summer.

Asheville, North Carolina is very nice--beautiful mountains, good riding, hip community, lots to do. The schools are so-so, but there are some good private schools. The climate is good, too. It snows, but not a whole lot.

Greenville, SC is not far from Asheville. I've heard good things about it, but I haven't been there.

Austin would be great, but I bet it's pricey, housewise, while San Antonio would be alot more reasonable on that front. Can't beat the climate.

One note about schools...there's so much more to schools than the reputation as a "good school district". When I was a kid, I moved from Cambridge, Mass with a reputation of a so-so school district to Newton, Mass, which was supposed to have fantastic schools. I was miserable in Newton, shoved into a giant school with 2000 kids. Magnet schools in weaker districts can be better than regular schools in stronger districts. It gets down to the individual school and even teachers, and therefore requires a bit of legwork other than looking at rankings. Also, if you find a place with affordable housing and some good private schools, there's nothing wrong with considering them, too.

[Geonz]

One note about schools...there's so much more to schools than the reputation as a "good school district". When I was a kid, I moved from Cambridge, Mass with a reputation of a so-so school district to Newton, Mass, which was supposed to have fantastic schools. I was miserable in Newton, shoved into a giant school with 2000 kids. Magnet schools in weaker districts can be better than regular schools in stronger districts. It gets down to the individual school and even teachers, and therefore requires a bit of legwork other than looking at rankings. Also, if you find a place with affordable housing and some good private schools, there's nothing wrong with considering them, too.

Ain't that the truth!

Districts that are "highly ranked" are often willing to make compromises to keep that ranking, so if your kids aren't going to fit the mold and raise their numbers (whichever numbers they're looking at that year), welp, they just aren't priorities.

SueJ, webmastress
http://www.resourceroom.net

[Lenusik]

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I know what you are saying about schools. Although I would like to leave AZ, it is not because it is one of the worst states in terms of all age school education. Unfortunately it is. But the stats speaks of averages. There are plenty of wonderful schools in AZ but it is clearly defined by their location. We live in Chandler and we are pleased with the schoos there. However, if you look at central Phoenix, the schools are rather bad. When we move, this knowledge will come only with experience. But before we have kids we will first worry about our jobs and good air quality.