Current info:
We are a family of 5, with three children between the ages of 2-9.
We live in a deep south state, and are becoming increasingly unhappy with the state politics and the education rating of the whole state. We are dissatisfied with the hot & humid summers, and lack of four seasons. We feel like the COL is too high for what we get (being ranked last in everything), however, our COL is still fairly low compared to most big cities. We live in the suburbs (town is 25k, but spread out, in the metro area of a 200k city) in a nice established neighborhood (mature trees, houses up to 25 years old).
I have only lived in the deep south, and am scared and excited for a drastic move.
DH has the option to work remotely, so all we would need job-wise is high speed internet, although being close to a strong IT job market wouldn't be a bad idea.
I would love suggestions on what might fit our family.
What we (think) we want:
*Pretty views, local hikes, hills-to-mountains nearby, four seasons with some snow, long spring & fall, and shorter summers than our current 6 months of summer.
*Good public schools
*small to medium sized city (10k - 100k?)
*low COL - dream is to buy a small plot of land and build a custom modern-style home.
*liberal politics (or at least more liberal than the RED state south)
*educated populace (again, comparing to ..... where we are)
We are homebodies and introverts; we don't need an active nightlife or urban scene. Our ideal weekend is putzing around the house working on projects, doing some local nature hikes, having intimate dinner parties with friends.
For an idea of current situation & COL, we currently own a home that is worth around $240k and is 2250 sf (4bd 3ba), property taxes of 2300/yr., in a neighborhood 2 miles from schools, 4 miles from grocery, 9 miles from the office.
Ideally, I'd like to spend the same or less on a house.
Any other info needed?
Thanks guys!