Ipnmon,
I do love the moving adventure, too, although it is TIME-consuming. Thanks for your suggestions! I don’t know if I’d enjoy Arizona b/c of the dryness, but I appreciate the KC tip. That’s not an area I’ve looked into or even know much about. I’ll read up on it for sure.

Kansas City Metro (KS and MO)-fits all of your requirements, though some parts of the metro have better schools than others. Within driving range (under a day’s drive IIRC) from Denver, so you’d see your inlaws. At least 2 (that I’ve heard of/experienced) very good pediatric allergy/asthma specialists; probably more, as there’s a children’s hospital network here that is tops in the country (Children’s Mercy Hospitals).

Good luck in your search! It’s hard picking up and moving across the country, but at the same time a fun adventure!

So, failing a move to my fair country, have you considered Vermont? My brother lived in Burlington for a couple of years and really enjoyed it – he found it pretty open-minded, easy-going, etc. I don’t know alot else about it but it sounded like a really nice place.

Best of luck to you in your home search!

Andie

The air quality here is good, I think b/c of the sea breezes we get. There are definitely four seasons. People are VERY active in the community and very involved in taking care of the homeless, poor, soup kitchens…..very nice people here…..maybe some conservative, but you can find anytype of “group” you are looking for ! It is BEAUTIFUL here, and it is definitely a buyers market here!!! Va Beach schools are some of the best in the Hampton Roads area, I’ve heard. Now, as far as a job for you dh……..well, Chris said they probably arent as plentiful as in Roanoke, but they still exist……….Just wanted to put in a VOTE for our community!!! Here’s hoping your dh can get a job here, so we can be neighbors. We have finally put down roots after 11 yrs. of moving every couple of yrs. We have been here for 6 yrs. and feel like we are home. I hope you find your new “home” soon!

HI Wendy,
I love your suggestion, but then again I’m not sure anyone would pay to relocate us to Hawaii, lol. That’s a much bigger expense than moving across several states. I’ve never been, but I’ve known several people who say exactly the same thing!

A couple of years ago, I followed my dream and visited Hawaii for the first time.
As the plane touched down, I had this strange feeling that I was coming home. I’d never been there.

Once outside, I took a deep breath of fresh, soft, fragrant air, felt the warm sun on my face and knew I was in heaven.

I would make Hawaii my home in a heartbeat if I could.
Good luck on finding your new home.

I wouldn’t live in Oregon again. I love it there, but it’s not the mover/shaker scenario that Seattle is. There are pockets of economic development and there’s a lot more pockets that are stagnent. There good culture and the prices are a little less, but comparable to Seattle although it always struck me that the wages weren’t. I worked in the computer industry in Portland for a while and knew I could’ve gotten better wages in Seattle. For sheer beauty, Oregon wins hands down.

I know I couldn’t live in Denver. I have challenges being athletic in high altitudes. I’ve had several issues hiking on Mt. Rainier. Even Crater lake made me very tired. I don’t know that living in Denver would be my ideal just because of how altittude affects my asthma.

My brother lived in Salt Lake for several years (he left in ‘06). He had issues not with the family thing although folks were forever trying to marry him off. His difficulty was that it was very conservative overall. He said if you stayed right in Park City, you’d find diversity of opinion, but in and around salt lake, he felt that views were quite monochromatic.

Aside from Seattle itself, there’s quite a tech community on the east side and northeast. Bellevue, Redmond, Issaquah, Woodenville (wineries). There wouldn’t neccessarily be a need to commute to Seattle. The Sammamish Plateau is a little spendy, but you could get out toward Northbend and be at the foothills of the cascade mountains. Great air. Great seasons. Close to a metropolis. 2 hours to an actual sandy beach. Proximity to the San Juan Islands and Canada. Proximity to hiking and skiing. We got 14 feet of snow over the main pass this winter. And definite seasons. Particulary on the east side where they’re further above sea level than I am. They get more bursts of snow in the winter and things can get warm over there in the summer. Warm is like 80-85 with 70% humidity. The only time things get really humid here is when we get the pineapple express air stream from Hawaii every couple years.

I hope you find something that feels like home to you all soon!