[andrew]

My wife and I are contemplating a move somewhere -- anywhere, but somewhere better than LA -- to raise our two young children.

I thought there'd be no better place than Free Republic to get an interesting thread going that could serve a utility for beyond my needs.

(Because we have friends and family in New York City, we were thinking maybe somewhere in the Hamptons. So I could be in hissing distance of Alec Baldwin, too.)

[nunya bidness]

In a van down by the river.

[america-rules]

You must have gotten some really good stock options ?

[Allegra]

Because we have friends and family in New York City, we were thinking maybe somewhere in the Hamptons.

I just got back from a vacation in New York City. It was VERY cold. Since you live in LA and aren't used to winter, you may want to keep that in mind. I'm still thawing out. :)

[bybybill]

If you pass on,"in a van, down by the river", how about South Dakota? There you and your family could vote [often I hope]against Tiny Tom

[Eska]

Less people, Less problems, more FREEDOM

[nightdriver]

Wyoming is the absolute best place in the WORLD to raise children. Period. :^)

[Dinsdale]

Decater, Ill

It will make your life seem to last forever and when death finally comes it will be a relief. The whole town smells like a tofu eater puked in the corner. This puts it easily ahead of runner-ups like Birmingham, Al.

Oh...you said the best place, never mind.

[fleur-de-lis]

My wife and I were seriously impressed by Boise, Idaho during our visit last year. Downside is cold in winter, but upside is great outdoor recreation just to the north. Do not know much about the schools as we are empty nesters.

[Cacophonous]

Southwest Virginia...God's own country

[Rays_Dad]

If I could live anywhere it would be a tough choice between Boise Idaho and Tulsa OK. Chip

[SkyPilot]

Boston.

No - really.

Just fumigate all the Kennedy worshippers and Marxists out of there first.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Try Detroit. You will like the weather too.

[GeronL]

Texas. period.

Want ocean front? lakeside? farms? prairies? rolling hills? mountains? desert? ski resort?(ok, small ones) big city? small town?

Its all there.

[Jubal Harshaw]

My favorite is South Orange County, CA. The sheriff, and the people who elect him, are very gun-friendly, i.e. it's very easy to get a CCW from the county. The beach cities are heartbreakingly beautiful (I happen to love Laguna Beach). There is nearby skiing at Big Bear in the winter. There is a lot of open space, for biking or hiking. There are two HUGE metro areas (LA and San Diego) nearby, where you can buy ANYTHING you want, from durians to yachts. The public schools are as good as can be expected, and there's even a few (not so good) universities, including a University of California franchise in Irvine. I live there now, and I love it. That said, I'm thinking about moving to Portland, Oregon for work. Anyone have any comments about Portland?

[FreedomFriend]

Hmm, I'd say that some small town in the midwest is your best bet.

[My Favorite Headache]

Wyckoff, New Jersey,Franklin Lakes,New Jersey,Naples,Florida,Marco Island,Florida.Just to name a few....

[mamelukesabre]

With economic growth and job opportunities factored in:

Colorado springs, CO
Demoines, IA
some in illinois and indianna too, but I don't know any names off hand.



Just based on crime rates, taxes, and cost of living:

Vermillion SD
pretty much any small town that is essentially a suburb of a bigger town in Tenn., as long as it is a separate town with it's own P.D., school system, etc.
pretty much any small town that is essentially a suburb of a bigger town in Tex., as long as it is a separate town with it's own P.D., school system, etc, and isn't close to mexico.
if you don't mind living in the boonies, any town in SD., except where they have gambling and casinos or friction between locals and indian reservations.


There is a website that will ask you what is important to you and what your requirements are and it will spit out a list of the cities that most closely match what you are looking for. I'll see if I can dig it up for you. Actually, after consulting with that website, I may take back what I just said about tennesee. It was either tenn. or NC that had the low taxes/housing/cost of living, I don't remember wich one it was.

[XBob]

"anywhere, but somewhere better than LA -- to raise our two young children"

get a map, blindfold yourself, and throw a dart.

Better yet, get a motor home, drive around until you find a place you like.

If you go to the Hamptons, it will be hundreds of miles of and many hours of driving until you can get out of the 'megalopolis' of NYC and into the 'country'. But if you wish to live in a 'megalopolis' ....

[XBob]

"anywhere, but somewhere better than LA -- to raise our two young children"

get a map, blindfold yourself, and throw a dart.

Better yet, get a motor home, drive around until you find a place you like.

If you go to the Hamptons, it will be hundreds of miles of and many hours of driving until you can get out of the 'megalopolis' of NYC and into the 'country'. But if you wish to live in a 'megalopolis' ....

[nopardons]

Doesn't it really depend upon what you can afford and where there are job possibilities, in what you do for a living ? You posited this question, as though money didn't matter at all / as sort of a wish . Then you hit the reality button.

Can you afford the Hamptons ? Is there your kind of job possibliies out there , for you ? First ask your relaives about the taxes and schools ! Tain't cheap and the good schools there, are PRIVATE .