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Old Town Alexandria is just 20 minutes south of DC but it was a city prior to DC being develop so it is very walkable with lots of shops, 2 metro stops, just 15 mins south of Reagan airport and it is very quaint in a old school charm kind of a way - reminiscent of Philly/Boston in some aspects. The area is very wealthy with a beautiful waterfront with lots of boating options on the Potomac and traffic is bad but the area itself doesn't feel hectic. https://www.visitalexandriava.com/old-town-alexandria/ https://www.tripsavvy.com/walking-to...andria-1040412
Columbia is pretty much your suburb that is very diverse and very nice! It was the first planned suburban community and is nestled directly in between DC and Balt. It's fairly walkable and people walk to Merriweather Pavilion all the time to catch concerts and shows. It's also close to BWI airport. Merriweather Post Pavilion » Schedule Downtown Columbia
Frederick is more like Old Town, old school charm with a walkable core but is a bit more removed. It's nestled in the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in "almost" Western MD. It's like it's own sphere within the area since it's a bit removed. Outdoor activity wise, this is your best bet. https://www.visitfrederick.org/ https://www.cityoffrederick.com/
All of the above are safe with good school districts.
I'm not too sure about Alexandria, as it may be a little too close to DC, as far as congestion and the like. However, it does seem to have just about everything we could want from a quick search.
Columbia seems like a nice area, again from a quick search. I see where it was ranked the best place to live last year from Money Magazine, I believe, and school seem to be good. It could work on multiple levels as well, since my company has a location in nearby Jessup. Something to think about....
Frederick intrigues Ebck. It is far enough removed to not feel like you are in the middle of one of the large metros, but seems large enough, and close enough to D.C. and Baltimore to make day trips easy. It would also keep us a little further out, which might be a good thing for the nature aspects.
The only thing with places like Traverse City, it averages like 3' of snow in January alone. This would mean you could be stuck in a snow storm for long stretches. Also, if I recall from my trip there, it's pretty grey for most of the winter. I'm only mentioning this because of #4 on the OP's list.
The only thing with places like Traverse City, it averages like 3' of snow in January alone. This would mean you could be stuck in a snow storm for long stretches. Also, if I recall from my trip there, it's pretty grey for most of the winter. I'm only mentioning this because of #4 on the OP's list.
They also likely have infrastructure in place in order to remove the snow as well. I think that is something people not familiar with areas that get a lot of snow consider.
I'm not too sure about Alexandria, as it may be a little too close to DC, as far as congestion and the like. However, it does seem to have just about everything we could want from a quick search.
While Alexandria is very close to DC it's history (built out in the late1700s/1800s through early 1900s) saved it from the suburban sprawl mess that developed in other parts of the metro area. In/around the Old Town section especially is quaint and doesn't have that overwhelming congestion you're most likely imagining.
They also likely have infrastructure in place in order to remove the snow as well. I think that is something people not familiar with areas that get a lot of snow consider.
Yes. The Great Lakes get lots of snow (great for skiing and snowmobiling), and proximity to Canada means TC gets much more snow than Ann Arbor. Occasionally a storm is bad enough to lose power for a couple of days, so a fireplace or wood stove is great. Roads can be icy. Schools cancel a few times a year. 2014 was record breaking snowfall for Michigan, it's not like that all the time. But if driving in snow, and blizzard conditions is a worry, I would choose Ann Arbor. Much less snow and a GREAT lifestyle! In fact, we may end up there...we're big U of M fans!
Since you mentioned schools as an aspect, this walkable community SE of Rochester NY is the most affluent school district north of the NYC metro area in the state($108,236 median household income in 2014) and is usually viewed as being the "best" school district in Upstate NY: https://www.pittsfordschools.org
You can go into Rochester for more including the Strong Museum of Play, a bunch of sporting events, arts based events, festivals(inc. a big Jazz festival and the Lilac Festival) and plenty of history. Visit Rochester | Rochester, NY
If the spouse likes Football, there's NFL Football about an hour or so away and major Division 1 Football an hour or so the other way.
Pittsburgh seems like it could be a good option, a city really making a revival and very "hilly". You get all the amenities of a big city without it being SUPER urban. Also much better cost of living then D.C. and other places in the Northeast.
The only thing with places like Traverse City, it averages like 3' of snow in January alone. This would mean you could be stuck in a snow storm for long stretches. Also, if I recall from my trip there, it's pretty grey for most of the winter. I'm only mentioning this because of #4 on the OP's list.
Yea, that is one thing that gives me pause when it comes to moving somewhere like Traverse City (Or really anywhere that gets a ton of snow). I don't mind snow, in fact, I quite enjoy it (as well as the cold. My husband and I both do better in the cold than the heat), but I don't necessarily want to live somewhere that keeps snow on the ground for 4 months at a time or something.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckhthankgod
They also likely have infrastructure in place in order to remove the snow as well. I think that is something people not familiar with areas that get a lot of snow consider.
I assume this would be correct as well though. We have spent a good deal of time in Chicago (in the winter), and even when the snow just keeps falling, it seems that the roads and all stay fairly clear. I would hope Traverse City would be similar.
While Alexandria is very close to DC it's history (built out in the late1700s/1800s through early 1900s) saved it from the suburban sprawl mess that developed in other parts of the metro area. In/around the Old Town section especially is quaint and doesn't have that overwhelming congestion you're most likely imagining.
Well, to be honest, my only experience in person with the DC area was about... ohh..... 20 years or so ago when I was 10, on a school field trip. I was picturing DC type congestion, but maybe that isn't the case. I have certainly heard good things about Alexandria, so I will check it out a little further.
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. You can buy it direct and we can cut out the middle man.
