Anonymous
Post 02/01/2013 18:26     Subject: s/o Is there a city in the U.S. that caters to kids?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The problem with this area is that it's just too damn expensive for middle class families.


Can't agree more


No, it's fine, but you may have to let go of the 20th century living in a house thing. Apartment living is perfectly appropriate for urban families.
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2013 17:16     Subject: s/o Is there a city in the U.S. that caters to kids?
Arlington VA
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2013 14:57     Subject: s/o Is there a city in the U.S. that caters to kids?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The magic kingdom in disney world


+1


The public schools in and around Orlando are nothing to write home about.


But you don't go to public school in the Magic Kingdom. You get tutored by the Disney characters.
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2013 14:55     Subject: s/o Is there a city in the U.S. that caters to kids?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The magic kingdom in disney world


+1


The public schools in and around Orlando are nothing to write home about.
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2013 14:52     Subject: s/o Is there a city in the U.S. that caters to kids?
Anonymous wrote:Downtown Raleigh, like Cameron Park, Oakwood, or Five Points. There are 3 high schools in downtown Raleigh ranked in the top high schools in the US: Broughton HS, Raleigh Charter HS, and Enloe HS. Fun kids museums, good food, walkable downtown area with walk able neighborhood centers. Street fairs all summer.


This is the only other city in the US besides Austin we have considered. I went to undergrad in NC, so I have lots of friends who live in the Raleigh area. It's a good place to live and pretty family friendly.
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2013 14:45     Subject: s/o Is there a city in the U.S. that caters to kids?
Downtown Raleigh, like Cameron Park, Oakwood, or Five Points. There are 3 high schools in downtown Raleigh ranked in the top high schools in the US: Broughton HS, Raleigh Charter HS, and Enloe HS. Fun kids museums, good food, walkable downtown area with walk able neighborhood centers. Street fairs all summer.
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2013 14:29     Subject: s/o Is there a city in the U.S. that caters to kids?
Anonymous wrote:Hate Austin. No Zoning. No planning commission. City just wanders. Ugly. Humid.


What part? There are nicer parts of the metro area. I found the Allandale neighborhood in North Central Austin quite nice, as well as certain parts of Westlake (right outside the city). I think the burbs are just like any other metro areas burbs. TX in general has crappy planning. Have you been just north of San Antonio lately? YUCK! Just subdivision after subdivision with absolutely no infrastructure planning.
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2013 14:28     Subject: s/o Is there a city in the U.S. that caters to kids?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The problem with this area is that it's just too damn expensive for middle class families.


Can't agree more


LOL. I was going to say that Arlington fit the list. But yes, crazy expensive, and everything is competitive given the number of kids (preschool, summer camps.....parking at Target on a Saturday).
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2013 14:16     Subject: s/o Is there a city in the U.S. that caters to kids?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I have done extensive research on this, because we have many options for relocating eventually. Most cities have sub-par public schools, with maybe one or two pricey neighborhoods where schools are decent. Some cities have close-in suburbs that are walkable and have good schools. Some cities you have to go way out to the cookie cutter burbs to find good schools (and these are the ones I've crossed off my list).

Places that might work are:
St. Louis (close-in burbs with character; lots of family activities; good COL; public transit options)
Minneapolis (close-in burbs; good parks; homes with character; not sure about public transit)
Denver (close-in burbs, though a few city hoods have good schools; good parks; public transit stinks)
Portland (close-in burbs; good parks; homes with character; good public transit)

There aren't many options. DC actually has what you're looking for, but it comes with a hefty price tag.

I'd love to see a list like this but add in a warm climate (or maybe coastal) requirement. Any ideas?


The problem with the warm climate/coast places is they can be very expensive. Places I would consider: San Diego, Sacramento (probably have to be in the 'burbs for schools; a lot of people dog on Sac town, but I thought it was nice enough when I visited); the OC (more cookie cutter houses with HOAs, but supposed to be a nice life--see recent threads); and certain suburbs of LA (San Gabriel Mountains area where the old, walkable towns are?). I think schools are a problem in Hawaii, and of course it's expensive and kind of out there. Also, Austin and Denver aren't THAT cold. Nobody seems to rave about Atlanta or the other Texas cities all that much. My husband would love to go to Nashville or Knoxville. I'd consider those too (especially Nashville), but I don't know if they qualify as "warm." I'd also consider something like Boise, but that's not warm either. Now I'm rambling...
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2013 14:08     Subject: s/o Is there a city in the U.S. that caters to kids?
Another vote for San Diego. Lots of parks, play grounds and trails. We lived there when our kids were little and were outside every day. Plus the beach is close along with Sea World, The San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, Legoland and Disneyland was about 2 hours north. San Diego is very family friendly and people are more relaxed than in the DC metro area. Housing can be expensive but you get more for your money.
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2013 13:58     Subject: s/o Is there a city in the U.S. that caters to kids?
Hate Austin. No Zoning. No planning commission. City just wanders. Ugly. Humid.
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2013 13:55     Subject: s/o Is there a city in the U.S. that caters to kids?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The problem with this area is that it's just too damn expensive for middle class families.


Can't agree more


http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=mcmillan+running&FORM=HDRSC2#view=detail&id=9955F79056E237541E1F903ED55EEAAE66C42736&selectedIndex=24
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2013 13:49     Subject: s/o Is there a city in the U.S. that caters to kids?
Spokane Washington. A great place to raise a family. Nothing splashy, but amazing outdoor activities, low cost of living, clean air, and the best climate in the country.
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2013 13:47     Subject: s/o Is there a city in the U.S. that caters to kids?
Anonymous wrote:The magic kingdom in disney world


+1
Anonymous
Post 02/01/2013 13:47     Subject: Re:s/o Is there a city in the U.S. that caters to kids?
Anonymous wrote:St. Louis has everything you're looking for. Off the top of my head, the FREE attractions for kids includes the St. Louis Zoo (internationally recognized), Science Center, Art Museum (sometimes has classes), History Museum (great for transportation), fountain parks, festivals, outdoor plays in the summer. The paid attractions would include the Magic House, City Museum, Arch, Riverboats, Botanical Gardens, Butterfly House, Faust Carousel, and Transportation Museum. There are endless options for schools, including specialty charters (performing arts, technology, international studies, etc), numerous Catholic, several private. Neighborhoods are diverse. I grew up in historic Soulard in a large house built in 1881. Much of my family is from South St. Louis, and the rest is from Kirkwood/Webster. West county has great new homes and public schools, while the city has fantastic architecture, restaurants, and attractions. If you enjoy sports, you'll be right at home with the Cardinals, Blues, Rams, and the miscellaneous college rivalry games we host. Check out explorestlouis.com


Don't forget Ted Drewes fellow southside girl.

Go Cards!