What is the best city US City for families?

[rlogan 2,036]

The dangers of extrapolation. Friendship Heights Village, MD has a population of less than 5k.

Which is why I emphasized it is a census area, and less than a square mile. The only way you can compare population densities is by using per unit area figures. Are you saying they are surrounded by wilderness or that it isn't crowded? Only 5,000 people in the entire square mile around them?

It's .06 sq miles if I recall correctly, four times the size of my own property. But I cannot imagine that density of population on here - more than a thousand people living with me. That's just incredible!

[Xanax 349]

G'day again!

One thing that, surprisingly, wasn't still mentioned [ probably people are too politically correct? ] is the "mentality fit". If you consider yourself liberal ( I mean - by American standards; I'm not sure about Australia, but when compared to Western Europe, US society is more conservative, therefore European political/social "mainstream" = "liberal" in the US ), think twice before moving to Texas. If you feel you're conservative, think three times before settling in San Francisco.

You can see very regularly people crying out on VJ complaining about their neighbors' way of life...

I agree with this and would say Australia is in-between the US and the EU.

I am also from Melbourne, Australia.

WE are quite liberal but not thatttt liberal

Also whomever said compare the cost of living v. your income is very smart.

I believe you can live better on less in the north and south than the east and west coasts.

Of course if you are just rolling in money live where ever you want, climate is the big kicker, make sure you like the climate! Considering you're from Melbourne and don't want snow or it getting too hot... I would consider LA, I personally hate it, consider Melbourne traffic x 1000 but the wheather is nice all year round.

Good luck

Edited June 27, 2012 by Xanax

[X Factor 1,112]

Also whomever said compare the cost of living v. your income is very smart.

I believe you can live better on less in the north and south than the east and west coasts.

[Sayha or bust. 71]

FT. Collins, Colorado was voted the number 1 city at one time. Took homestead there for a while and loved it. Beautiful city in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Colorado has more days of sunshine than Florida. Good luck in your choices.

[B_J 2,752]

I take your point about Texas and the humidity. I guess I thought it would be dry heat.

You are correct, cities in Texas that are away from the coast, like Dallas and Austin, will be a dry heat. Just think of it as living in an oven.

[kytwell 179]

The suburbs of Philadelphia are good. Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. You can enjoy all the culture of Philly from the burbs, it's a short train or car ride away. Most of the pro athletes live in the burb's to avoid the city wage tax. The city has higher taxes and terrible schools. The sales tax is also higher there, than the rest of the state. From the above areas a car ride of 2hrs or less can get you to the "shore" /Atlantic Ocean ,beaches, etc or if you go north you can be in the "mountains", my wife from Greece calls them hills. I've flown out of Philly airport dozens of times, it's an easy airport to navigate. The public schools are good in the suburbs, except for a few exceptions. There are countless private schools, and quite a few elite schools like The Hill School where Donald Trump sent his son, Malvern Prep and Germantown Academy if your kids are outstanding athletes, to name a few. Also from the Philly suburban area, an hour flight or a 2-3 hour car ride gets you to NYC and DC. We also get all of the seasons: fall(foliage in the Lehigh Valley is awesome), winter(countless ski opportunities), spring(some of the best flyfishing-Jimmy Carter used to come here to fish), summer(we go down 'da shore).

Pittsburgh is a great city, if you're looking for "city" living. They have been making major improvements to their infrastructure and are taking major strides in trying to transform it into a green city.

Also Scranton is a small town/city, that is extremely nice; if you're looking for a city feel for your new home town.

If you decide on the Philly area though, think suburbs; not the city itself. It doesn't have the nickname Killadelphia for no reason.

[SapphireDreams 71]

Thanks everyone. Your input is greatly appreciated.

I have been studying several websites to compare housing, cost of living, climate, health, economy, state taxes, schooling etc. The best one I have found so far is sperlings best places but I will take a look at find your spot.

We are essentially moving from one of the worlds most livable cities (Melbourne Australia) to somewhere in the US so while we don't really like snow or humidity we are up for anything. It's all part of the adventure right?

Once the job is secured we will have a better understanding of where we need to be.

One more question though. My husband currently works in the international aid sector as a writer (think - world vision). Does anyone know if these types of jobs are found more so in particular locations? From my initial searches it looks like NGO or NFP head offices are in Seattle, San Francisco, DC or New York. What are your experiences?

Thanks for all the advice here. Much appreciated.

Based on your husband's line of work, I'd say Washington D.C./Maryland/Virginia area might be a good option for you. Good potential for a job for him, I'm sure there are good schools, it's probably not that cheap, but it's not as expensive as New York or San Francisco. There are four seasons, but the winters aren't unbearable. There are also two major airports, plus you can take the train up to NY or Boston if you had to.

I live in New York City and to be honest, it's really expensive and quality of life is not great. The schools are great though, and job market is good. The airports have their issues, but there are 3 major ones and many other smaller ones so if you get stranded, there is always a way to get home.

[Shoot Em Straight 385]

I like San Diego

[D.K. 16]

I'm a Texas gal, too ... will be moving back to Houston at the end of the year, hopefully.

I think Austin would be a great city for you... it's a drier heat (some humidity, but not unbearable), relaxed and chill atmosphere with a lot of local flavor and events around town... Dallas would be more conservative than Austin... not a lot of snow in Austin, either, and away from the coast so you can cross off hurricanes (lol). It's part of the 'hilly' side of Texas and it's really rather pretty there.

in terms of airports, will you be traveling internationally or domestically?