To the posters that mentioned Raleigh-it’s actually Very expensive now. I grew up there and Always wanted to move back. We finally got the chance last year and when we started looking at properties I couldn’t believe it. Honestly-not that far off from suburbs here now. Also the schools-Raleigh has some of the best schools for NC but not in general. My high school was terrible and was a well regarded wake county school. That being said-the private schools there are pretty cheap and excellent. But again-it’s really not a particularly low cost of living these days there. We ended up not going.

This isn't what I'd pick personally, but given your criteria, I'd pick a nice suburb of Pittsburgh, like Edgeworth. Low cost of living, good schools, safe, winters are cold but not Vermont/Alaska level at all. Bonus - it's not that far of a drive to bigger east coast cities, and your vote actually matters! Cons - Pittsburgh doesn't quite have the cultural sophistication of the coastal cities; although there's some nice hiking it doesn't have the stunning natural beauty of upper New England or the Rockies; Penn State is an OK school but no UNC/UVA.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Another criterion that I didn't realize was important to me until reading the responses is that it can't be extremely cold. I grew up in the NE and I don't think I could go back to those winters. And I'm shocked someone suggested Alaska! A high cost of living and it's freezing. To each their own.

Dripping Springs, TX
beautiful rural/suburban area outside of Austin, great schools and a lot of growth

I’m a SAHM and my DH works remote and we are actually happy living in the DMV.
However , if I had to chose I would move somewhere south: Savannah, Charleston, Raleigh