If you could live anywhere

**gravitylover** · 07-21-2007, 07:38 PM

Somehow NM got away from me. Probably because I have no experience with the schools there. I loved it the times I was there and thought at the time that I could see myself there if I could afford it and now I can so that is on the list.

Sandpoint huh? I could see that. Gotta look a bit deeper into that.

I didn't think the med services were as bad as you make it out to be in MT spindrift. I never lived there either so don't have first hand knowledge.

What about south of Carson City along the east slope of the Sierras, anything interesting there? I know Genoa is pretty cool and it's close to Kirkwood and Heavenly (if the roads are passable.)

**Meadow Skipper** · 07-21-2007, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by Steven S. Dallas

I don't know if the snowfall is reliable enough, but Santa Fe seems pretty awesome to me. My buddy just moved there and absolutely loves it.

The schools in SF suck donkey unless you kick down for a private school. Not the greatest place to raise kids. Other than that it's pretty good and meets the OP's criteria. It's an "older" town too, in terms of peoples' age.

**gravitylover** · 07-22-2007, 08:08 AM

So what about the schools and quality of life aspects in the Taos/ Angel fire area? Kinda seems like more of what I want than Santa Fe anyway.

**Rontele** · 07-22-2007, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by gravitylover

So what about the schools and quality of life aspects in the Taos/ Angel fire area? Kinda seems like more of what I want than Santa Fe anyway.

Having only visited Taos, I can say it is pretty rural. I can't imagine the schools being as good as they would be in a larger metro area. You also have to take into account that New Mexico is one of the poorer states in the country and that does trickle down to schooling. That being said, it is a very beautiful area of the country.

**72Twenty** · 07-22-2007, 09:30 AM

Dude, Fart Collins is the town for you.

**Meadow Skipper** · 07-22-2007, 11:10 AM

The public schools in Taos suck too - most public schools in northern NM suck (see Rontele's post). Taos is small-town compared to SF and so you get fewer of those cultural amenities and more small-town drama. But yeah, it's damn beautiful.

I don't know much about the Angel Fire area schools except that there are fewer amenities than Taos even and it's overrun with Tejanos - NTTAWWT.

Northern NM is great for most things except that I think a lot of the areas are not the best to raise kids. I manage to ski a lot and the climbing, biking, fishing and even river boating are all within the 'good' range. And if you're near Santa Fe, there are plenty of cultural pleasures available.

**Benny Profane** · 07-22-2007, 03:59 PM

I remember a thread last winter talking about the tension between locals (natives, and really really natives) and newbies in the Taos area. Didn't sound like fun, and probably would be even worse if it spilled over into the school enviornment.

**Roo** · 07-22-2007, 04:24 PM

I'd choose Grenoble. But it is a long drive.

**gravitylover** · 07-22-2007, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by Roo

I'd choose Grenoble. But it is a long drive.

Heh. Teleporters dude. That's where it's all headed, mark my words

So as I'm looking around I realized that I am probably not priced out of a lot of places like in the past. This opens a few doors. What about Tahoe, like Zephyr Cove/Skyland/Glenbrook or Upper Kingsbury? Last time I was there a few years ago I was impressed with the progress the schools (seemed to) have made since I lived there in the early 90's.

**FREESKIER_FIVE-0** · 07-22-2007, 05:16 PM

Santa Fe had a terrible 05/07 season. There was shit for snow. I dont think its the most reliable for snow, but I could be wrong.

Just sayin...

**PTracy P1** · 07-22-2007, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by FREESKIER_FIVE-0

Santa Fe had a terrible 05/07 season. There was shit for snow. I dont think its the most reliable for snow, but I could be wrong.

Just sayin...

spring 06 was rawkin. just sayin.

**backpack** · 07-22-2007, 06:15 PM

Fort Portal, Uganda.

**filthyfrenchbum** · 07-22-2007, 06:23 PM

I will second Vancouver, even though it is in Canada, I doubt there is a more secure/enjoyable place to live in and raise kids. Beach, kickass skiing and scenery, mild climate (and a shitload of rain too). However, be prepared for expensive real estate, and the fact that the further west you go the less friendly the people get (culturally more than literally).
Seattle would be the US equivalent I guess...

**skiHOG** · 07-22-2007, 06:43 PM

New Zealand. prolly wellington, maybe nelson.

**varcels** · 07-22-2007, 09:11 PM

tahoe, definately tahoe is awesome!!!!!

Z · 07-22-2007, 10:49 PM

Steamboat would be an UNBELIEVABLE place to raise children. I hope that im lucky enough to raise kids in a place like that.

The only issue may be the culture thing, but denver is only a 3hr push.

Squatch · 07-22-2007, 11:15 PM

Just to add my two cents, from the (sort-of) child perspective:

I grew up in a wealthy, manicured suburb in Chicago. We were well-off enough that all my needs were met, and more. I got to play expensive sports (I think hockey alone ran about $3k+ a year with traveling), we were able to take nice vacations, and I ate in a bunch of expensive restaurants. I got to attend top-tier public schools, and am able to attend an expensive out-of-state school.

In retrospect, I would have given it all up to move to a place that was outdoors vs. indoors. I am much happier here. Not to mention that much of my "schooling" came from encouragement from my parents, and that my Junior High and HS were crushing places...with the exception of a few people, the prevailing attitude was that "we [teachers/staff] could get our work done so much better if it wasn't for these damn kids." It was rigorous, but not an environment that encouraged learning. My K-5 school was the exception, and whenever I go back the principal still knows my name (he retired last year, but it's still true).

Executive summary: all that stuff (culture, schools, etc) were overridden by situations where people cared vs. didn't care. Move somewhere that you'll enjoy...your kids will probably enjoy it too.

**Benny Profane** · 07-23-2007, 12:27 AM

As per the medical care issue - today's NYT weighs in :http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/23/nyregion/23docs.html

yeah, yeah, it's upstate NY, but I'm pretty sure that's the case in a lot of other pretty places in America.

**Dam Skier** · 07-23-2007, 07:29 AM

A Second on Steamboat Springs. Schools are top notch. The winter sports club is one of the best in the country. Great skiiing and biking, along with endless other options. The real estate is getting a little up there in price, but it is still a good investment.

**icanseeformiles(andmiles)** · 07-23-2007, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by Obstruction

+1
I'm all over Sante Fe when I can finally shed the daily grind. That place is the balls in my estimation.

Sandpoint also passes the cool little city test w/good med care and decent skiing nearby and outstanding skiing not far away.

I'd consider Durango in this kind of mix.

Having lived in both SF and Durango, I'd select Durango in a second. For Culture, Taos/SF is only 3 miles away.

Originally Posted by gravitylover

Somehow NM got away from me. Probably because I have no experience with the schools there. I loved it the times I was there and thought at the time that I could see myself there if I could afford it and now I can so that is on the list...

Having inlaws that used SF's medical facilities, stay away from Santa Fe if you're going to have an 80 yo with you, that will need those facilities. They absolutely suck balls.

Originally Posted by gravitylover

So what about the schools and quality of life aspects in the Taos/ Angel fire area? Kinda seems like more of what I want than Santa Fe anyway.

St Mike's and Santa Fe Prep are great schools, Blonde, blue-eyed kids don't do so well in the public schools in either SF or Taos. Angel Fire is dinky, think about going over Palo Flechado Pass in a snowstorm trying to get to a decent hospital only 3 hours away.

**Tectonically_Neglected** · 07-23-2007, 07:40 AM

Not that this is going to help: but i wouldn't want to live in the US.

I'd probably move to Innsbruck if I could have my way...

**Shredhead** · 07-23-2007, 08:55 AM

Aspen's paradise, great schools, great hospital, tons of cultural events and relatively low taxes.

But the buy in is seven figures+.

**gravitylover** · 07-23-2007, 09:09 AM

Yeah the Aspen area is always on my radar but like you said, it's a bit pricey. The funny thing is that it's not much worse than Steamboat. Makes me want to beat myself for not being able to take advantage of the incredible deals that were there 20 years ago.

What does seem more affordable is the western end of the Vail Valley, Eagle and Gypsum. I haven't been there since 1990 and what I remember was well, not much. From google earth pics I can tell it's grown but what's it really like?

**Viva** · 07-23-2007, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by gravitylover

What about south of Carson City along the east slope of the Sierras, anything interesting there? I know Genoa is pretty cool and it's close to Kirkwood and Heavenly (if the roads are passable.)

Coleville, Walker, Markleville, Woodfords are tiny little places.

Bridgeport is in a beautiful location, but isn't a whole lot bigger than the above mentioned.

Lee Vining has that deli in the gas station that kicks ass.

June Lake is...well, June Lake.

Mammoth would be nice, but it's kinda isolated. The skiing's supposed to be OK, too.

Bishop is the closest thing to a city along the eastern Sierras. Keep in mind that one of the biggest annual events there is Mule Days. Need I say more?

Big Pine, Independence, and Little Pine are nice, but you'd be better off in Bishop.

**gravitylover** · 07-23-2007, 09:32 AM

Mammoth is isolated? June beats it I think. We did talk about June Lake though and in a lot of ways it would be great but until the kids move out (in 10 years) I can't see it. Bishop, I don't know if I could stand the summer heat and since I look at an ass in the mirror everyday Mule Days would hold little to no interest for me.