Where to live in America or the world that's cheap with excellent schools?

[Anonymous]

op - in the post title I also asked about abroad, curious if anyone has those suggestions also.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:op - would like to hear more about northern va and philly burbs. where there has really good schools? am not super familiar with the areas.

In Philly burbs, look along the Main Line to the west of the city. The closer in suburbs like Bryn Mawr are still quite pricy, but they do get more affordable the further out you go. There are also lots of universities along that line (Bryn Mawr, Haverford, Villanova) which results in lots of academics living in these neighborhoods, which contributes to strong schools.

The main obstacle in these neighborhoods will be taxes. Housing is also pricier than it used to be, but not anywhere near as bad as NYC and the public schools are good, so it would still be an improvement for you. Also, if you stayed at your current job, the commute from Main Line burbs into Philly and then up to NYC is really not that bad and you could likely still do it once or twice a week if your spouse can handle the kids on those days.

In NoVa, you're looking at a more suburban lifestyle, definitely more car centric, as the parts of NoVa with strong schools do not tend to be the parts with the best public transit. For example, Alexandria, Clarendon, and Rosslyn are all fairly walkable and have convenient metro stops, but that's not where I'd want to send my kids to school (especially MS and HS).

Instead, I'd look at Falls Church City (would be my top choice because of the combo of metro accessibility, a walkable little downtown, and good schools). After FCC, I'd look at Fairfax, Loudon, and Arlington, in that order. But you need to look at specific school pyramids, some are better than others. As with Philly, the further you get from DC the more affordable it is, and you can still find good schools. But also, in VA it gets more Trumpy the further out you go -- coming from NYC you need to be aware of that and figure out what your comfort level is.

Some more compare and contrast: Philly burbs will have older housing stock, lots more new builds in NoVa (I personally prefer older housing stock but some don't, it's just a key difference you should be aware of). Also I think NoVa burbs tend to have more and better county amenities than the Main Line suburbs, in terms of things like rec centers, public pools, etc., but that might have changed in recent years -- I think the NoVa parks, hiking, rec options, etc. are really, really good compared to other places. Property taxes definitely higher in PA but NoVa finds ways to get you, good schools and amenities are never free. But compared to NYC it will still feel like a bargain. Both have good access to major cities with good museums, dining, major league sports, and other entertainment, obviously.

Ha. We raised three kids in Del Ray and they went K-12 in ACPS. Maury-GW-TC. For undergrad they went UVA, UNC, and Denison. Two oldest are in law school.

I love the garbage people post here.

But OP probably couldn't afford our house at 1.9M.

So you're admitting you're one of the rich/upper class who "our kids never see any fights" at ACPS booster. Nice attempt at a flex re how expensive your house is. I live in Alexandria, people like you are part of the problem. But that's for another thread on the Virginia public school forum.

What on earth are you blathering about? Are you somehow trying to denigrate a lady who successfully raised 3 kids in ACPS and had her house appreciate along the way? That is a negative in your world? Sorry your kids are illerate wee todds at JMU.

[Anonymous]

Big and diverse suburbs of Houston, Dallas and Austin in Texas. Newer and nicer housing, top public schools, plenty of jobs, good infrastructure, major airports, big hospitals etc.

Yes, overall vibe of the state is MAGA but on individual level people and lives are good. Great bang for your buck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in NYC, I work in big tech, kids in private, feel like I'm going to burst into flames.

Looking to relocate, price WAY down, save hard. Possibly keep job, possibly get new remote job.

Would love to live somewhere somewhat pretty, and only other thing that really matters to me is really really good (like A rated) public or very inexpensive private schools.

Any tips? Do you love where you live or have lived that is like this? My proliferating gray hairs and wrinkles and stress related health issues thank you.

Try the near-in Kansas suburbs of Kansas City, MO: Leawood, Overland Park. Low taxes, affordable. Good enough for Travis Kelsie!

[Anonymous]

Washington state doesn’t have income tax, beautiful, great schools in several cities

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:op - in the post title I also asked about abroad, curious if anyone has those suggestions also.

Do you have any countries for which you are eligible to move?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:op - in the post title I also asked about abroad, curious if anyone has those suggestions also.

Spain, UAE, China

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live in NYC, I work in big tech, kids in private, feel like I'm going to burst into flames.

Looking to relocate, price WAY down, save hard. Possibly keep job, possibly get new remote job.

Would love to live somewhere somewhat pretty, and only other thing that really matters to me is really really good (like A rated) public or very inexpensive private schools.

Any tips? Do you love where you live or have lived that is like this? My proliferating gray hairs and wrinkles and stress related health issues thank you.

Try the near-in Kansas suburbs of Kansas City, MO: Leawood, Overland Park. Low taxes, affordable. Good enough for Travis Kelsie!

I think he's going to retire soon and spend most of his time elsewhere

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:op - in the post title I also asked about abroad, curious if anyone has those suggestions also.

Are you looking for private "American Schools" or "international Schools?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chicago suburbs

Houses in my neighborhood are around $450k, fantastic schools, easy access to everything in Chicagoland.

Im a single mom of 2 kids making $130k and we are doing great- i own a nice home, kids are in awesome schools, great network of friends, neighborhood/community is awesome.

Pp here adding my taxes are $7k

This sounds a little like my little Chicago suburb. Homes are selling for between 300-500K. Taxes are between 7-13K. But I'd describe our schools as good, not great. Good, to me, implies an average ACT of at least 28. I believe our average might be 23-24. And our middle school is just ok. I don't know how anyone can afford a 450K house on 130K as a single parent, so I'm assuming you had help or bought many, many years ago like we did. My spouse and I make 200K+ and while we could theoretically afford a 450K home,we could not also afford to help pay for kids college and save for retirement on that.

You seem to have unrealistic expectations for that...the tippy top comprehensive/open enrollment high schools (New Trier, Stevenson, Hinsdale Central, etc.) in the Chicago area are in the 25-26 range. The best selective enrollment schools in the city, that accept only a small fraction of those who apply, are a little bit above that. I don't think there is any public high school in Illinois that has an average ACT of "at least 28" (much less above that). Maybe IMSA. But really, you'd need to be looking at the $$$ private schools for 28+ average ACTs.

[Anonymous]

Atlanta suburbs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:op - in the post title I also asked about abroad, curious if anyone has those suggestions also.

Spain, UAE, China

NOTA!

Portugal (best sections of the Algarve),Copenhagen,Kuala Lumpur

Reasonable cost and excellent educators.

Insane that so many posters recommended Fairfax & Loudoun (and several midwestern areas!) to someone in NYC. That would be quite an adjustment.

[Anonymous]

The only remotely similar place to NYC that is more affordable would be the Chicago suburbs. They have a subway system. The weather sucks however.