Nominations for Best Natural Family Living City - come post your favorite city! - Page 2

[peacemamma]

Definitely agree with Portland, OR!!!!

[colsxjack]

I would love to nominate my home town of Toronto, Ontario Canada.

I also have to add to the list that we have free healthcare!!!!

And a diverse (and expanding) public school system. Such as public catholic schools, french speaking schools, french immersion schools, an Aboriginal School and Aboriginal studies incorporated into "regular" public schools, and an Afro-centric elementary school.

1. Easy access to nature through large public parks, bike trails, state and national parks, and nearby bodies of water.
2. Composting and recycling programs. (one of the best in the world for recycling)
3. Affordable housing (many pockets of affordable housing for buying and renting...although many pockets of expensive housing too)
4. Diverse population (extremely diverse. Over 50% of population is "visible minorities" from all over the place)
5. Good elder services (not sure)
6. Good public transit
7. Child friendly
8. Pesticides banned (have been for years)
9. Farmer markets, CSAs, community gardens.
10.                                                  Chickens not legal, but still around. And active community of people fighting for legality
11. Homeschool friendly (pretty much anything goes)
12. Midwives and homebirth legal (not only legal...but free!)
13. Healthy birth culture
14. Philosophical exemptions for vaccines (although Ontario requires more vaccines than most other provinces, you can get off for philosophical reasons)
15. Alternative and integrative health practitioners (hundreds to choose from...but not covered under free medical)
16. Breastfeeding friendly (extremely)
17.                                                 We live through the smog coming from Michigan...and create smog for cities further East
18. Quiet  (Can be...but also a city of over 4 million...so pockets can be noisy)
19. Great public library and affordable family activities (and libraries give out free family passes to other activities like the zoo, museums, etc)
20. Support groups such as LLL, API, Holistic Moms, and Meetup

[EmbraceLife]

I absolutely LOVE this!!!  We are planning to relocate and I need to share this information with hubby to help us finalize a location!

Thanks so much for this thread!!!

[BabyMae09]

I nominate Corvallis, Oregon. I have to say, having been born here I am disheartened to see SO many people moving here. I know we have to have growth, but it's just hard to see when I remember the fields and hills that now hold homes...

That said, I'm nominating Corvallis in hopes that more crunchy people will move here and we can keep our vibe even as we grow :)

Corvallis is a town of about 55,000 people, so our public transportation consists of buses. That said, it's a good bus system, and if I remember right, it's free now. There are also buses to outlying areas, and even the coast that are really cheap.

1. Easy access to nature through large public parks, bike trails, state and national parks, and nearby bodies of water (Beach is less than an hour, so are the mountains. There are lots of parks in town, and natural areas too. MacDonald forest is right outside of town, and there are lots of state and county parks in close driving range).

2. Composting and recycling programs.

3. Affordable housing (kind of... you can rent a decent 3 bedroom for around $1400, but if you live even a little bit out of town that can get cut by at least 25%. We pay $700 for a two bedroom 23 miles from town on 26 acres).

4. Diverse population (not so much... but the students are very diverse).

5. Good elder services (as far as I know we seem to have good services, my grandmas and great grandmas all got really good, caring care).

6. Good public transit

7. Child friendly (I've never, ever had anyone make a negitive remark about my kids and they are both a little 'loud'. Also very breastfeeding friendly! Never even one negitive comment. Lots of kid's activities, local companies focused on kids, play areas in restaurants, etc).

8. Pesticides banned (not really, but there are many farms that don't use them. We're grass seed country).

9. Farmer markets, CSAs, community gardens (TONS of these, almost too many!)

10. Backyard chickens legal (and goats, too!)

11. Homeschool friendly (very, although sometimes it can be hard to find people you jive with at first. Large unschooling population too. Our local toy store owners (organic and holistic toys almost exclusively) are homeschoolers).

12. Midwives and homebirth legal (yes. One midwife in two has been to over 1,000 births! I think there are 3-5 midwives in town now)

13. Healthy birth culture (yes... although our hospital is sometimes not. It's owned by an old rich white dude. There is a group in town trying to start a birth centre. And the hospital does have a couple of midwives, but you never know who will be on call when you go in to give birth. And one of the midwives there should just call herself a doctor and get it over with).

14. Philosophical exemptions for vaccines (yup! and no one bats an eye).

15. Alternative and integrative health practitioners (tons!! and they are all awesome from what I hear and experience).

16. Breastfeeding friendly (very much so. boobies everywhere, and a young population).

17. Clean air (yes, although when grass seed is blooming it's a little bad. Luckily we're on the coast side of the valley, so we get the least air pollution of any in the valley, including Portland because of traffic, and Eugene because all the dust and pollen funnels down their way :(  ).

18. Quiet (quietest city I've ever lived in... but I live in the country outside of town now, so compared to here Corvallis doesn't seem very peacful, even though it really is).

19. Great public library and affordable family activities (I think our library is award winning... and yes on the activities, there's always a ton of fun stuff going on).

20. Support groups such as LLL, API, Holistic Moms, and Meetup (yup, lots!).

Feel free to PM me with questions :)

[LoveToBeMom]

Originally Posted by EmbraceLife 

I absolutely LOVE this!!!  We are planning to relocate and I need to share this information with hubby to help us finalize a location!

Thanks so much for this thread!!!

I'm in the same situation!

I've been reading this list of cities aloud to my husband; what great inspiration for us!

[yoginimommy]

Nevada City, CA!!!! The best alternative small town. I see a lot of larger cities on this list, but if you want small town living surrounded by nature, Rivers, Lakes, Parks, and not too far from bigger cities, than Nevada City is a must! Settled in the Sierra Nevada, we are also close to Lake Tahoe, and can enjoy 4 seasonal changes, including our beautiful Indian Summer.

Besides that the Community is awesome, almost like a big Family, and there is so much to do. I love raising my kids here!!!

1. Easy access to nature through large public parks, bike trails, state and national parks, and nearby bodies of water.
2. Composting and recycling programs.
3. Affordable housing
4. Diverse population
5. Good elder services
6. Good public transit
7. Child friendly
8. (Pesticides banned) Not 100% sure about this one, I do know there are plenty of "Do not Spray" signs out there, and the Organic Farming Community is HUGE!
9. Farmer markets, CSAs, community gardens.
10. Backyard chickens legal
11. Homeschool friendly
12. Midwives and homebirth legal
13. Healthy birth culture
14. Philosophical exemptions for vaccines
15. Alternative and integrative health practitioners
16. Breastfeeding friendly
17. Clean air
18. Quiet
19. Great public library and affordable family activities
20. (Support groups such as LLL, API, Holistic Moms, and Meetup). In nearby towns we have LLL, but we have plenty of our own independent Support Groups in town

[mksgrl]

I would like to nominate Brattleboro, VT, home to Oak Meadow Curriculum & School

1. Easy access to nature through large public parks, bike trails, state and national parks, and nearby bodies of water.
2. Composting and recycling programs.
3. Affordable housing
4. Diverse population
5. Good elder services
6. Good public transit
7. Child friendly
8. Pesticides banned
9. Farmer markets, CSAs, community gardens.
10. Backyard chickens legal
11. Homeschool friendly
12. Midwives and homebirth legal
13. Healthy birth culture
14. Philosophical exemptions for vaccines
15. Alternative and integrative health practitioners
16. Breastfeeding friendly
17. Clean air
18. Quiet
19. Great public library and affordable family activities
20. Support groups such as LLL, API, Holistic Moms, and Meetup

[To-Fu]

Surprised to not see Seattle, WA mentioned yet!  

Here we go:

1. Easy access to nature through large public parks, bike trails, state and national parks, and nearby bodies of water.
2. Composting and recycling programs.
3.  
4. Diverse population
5. Good elder services
6. Good public transit
7. Child friendly
8. Pesticides banned
9. Farmer markets, CSAs, community gardens.
10. Backyard chickens legal
11. Homeschool friendly
12. Midwives and homebirth legal
13. Healthy birth culture
14. Philosophical exemptions for vaccines
15. Alternative and integrative health practitioners
16. Breastfeeding friendly
17. Clean air
18. Quiet
19. Great public library and affordable family activities
20. Support groups such as LLL, API, Holistic Moms, and Meetup

[kathyscv]

Originally Posted by mksgrl 

I would like to nominate Brattleboro, VT, home to Oak Meadow Curriculum & School

1. Easy access to nature through large public parks, bike trails, state and national parks, and nearby bodies of water.
2. Composting and recycling programs.
3. Affordable housing
4. Diverse population
5. Good elder services
6. Good public transit
7. Child friendly
8. Pesticides banned
9. Farmer markets, CSAs, community gardens.
10. Backyard chickens legal
11. Homeschool friendly
12. Midwives and homebirth legal
13. Healthy birth culture
14. Philosophical exemptions for vaccines
15. Alternative and integrative health practitioners
16. Breastfeeding friendly
17. Clean air
18. Quiet
19. Great public library and affordable family activities
20. Support groups such as LLL, API, Holistic Moms, and Meetup

I vote for this town

[thegoodearth]

Originally Posted by tiacait 

Portland, OR 

1. Easy access to nature through large public parks, bike trails, state and national parks, and nearby bodies of water.
2. Composting and recycling programs.
3. Affordable housing
4.  
5. Good elder services
6. Good public transit
7. Child friendly
8.  
9. Farmer markets, CSAs, community gardens.
10. Backyard chickens legal
11. Homeschool friendly
12. Midwives and homebirth legal
13. Healthy birth culture
14. Philosophical exemptions for vaccines
15. Alternative and integrative health practitioners
16. Breastfeeding friendly
17. Clean air
18. Quiet
19. Great public library and affordable family activities
20. Support groups such as LLL, API, Holistic Moms, and Meetup

 I "fifth" portland or

nak

[BrattleboroMom]

I second Brattleboro, Vermont. This town is home to the one and only Strolling of the Heifers (where else can families watch heifers adorned with garlands stroll down Main Street!), a Slow Living Summit, a fabulous Co Op, an exceptional natural parenting community, and a deep commitment to affordable housing. 

[Jeremy C Smith]

I nominate Belfast, Maine.  Our town is wonderfully rich and steeped in a common goal.  To enjoy life the way it should be. The friendly small town atmosphere is balanced with tons of amenities and draws thousands of visitors to our numerous festivals, arts programs and recreational activities.  This is a community with pride, forethought, and a sense of responsibility to it's people, it's history, it's land and it's children.  Belfast contains many people with diverse cultural backgrounds.  Many of them celebrate their heritage in their choice of business.  The bay, the lake, the rivers, the mountains and the woods of Maine are legendary locations for adventure and spiritual renewal.  Belfast embodies that renewal perfectly.  It's a wonderful place to be a child, or a parent.  

Easy access to nature through large public parks, bike trails, state and national parks, and nearby bodies of water.

Composting and recycling programs.

Affordable housing

Diverse population 

Good elder services

 

Child friendly

Pesticides banned

Farmer markets, CSAs, community gardens.

Backyard chickens legal

Homeschool friendly

Midwives and homebirth legal

Healthy birth culture

Philosophical exemptions for vaccines

Alternative and integrative health practitioners

Breastfeeding friendly

Clean air

Quiet

Great public library and affordable family activities

Support groups such as LLL, API, Holistic Moms, and Meetup

[MnMtm]

1. Easy access to nature through large public parks, bike trails, state and national parks, and nearby bodies of water.
2. Composting and recycling programs.
3. Affordable housing
4.  
5. Good elder services
6. Good public transit
7. Child friendly
8.  
9. Farmer markets, CSAs, community gardens.
10. Backyard chickens legal
11. Homeschool friendly
12. Midwives and homebirth legal
13. Healthy birth culture
14. Philosophical exemptions for vaccines
15. Alternative and integrative health practitioners
16. Breastfeeding friendly
17. Clean air
18. Quiet
19. Great public library and affordable family activities
20. Support groups such as LLL, API, Holistic Moms, and Meetup

[zLOVESm]

I vote for Brattleboro VT

1. Easy access to nature through large public parks, bike trails, state and national parks, and nearby bodies of water.
2. Composting and recycling programs. (CURBSIDE!)
3. Affordable housing (New apartments about our brandnew state of the art natural foods co-op).
4. Diverse population 
5. Good elder services
6. Good public transit
7. Child friendly
8. Pesticides banned
9. Farmer markets, CSAs, community gardens.
10. Backyard chickens legal
11. Homeschool friendly
12. Midwives and homebirth legal (It is the norm here!)
13. Healthy birth culture (Our hospital's birthing center has a 90% breastfeeding initiation rate).
14. Philosophical exemptions for vaccines
15. Alternative and integrative health practitioners (Multiple "alternative" health centers in town).
16. Breastfeeding friendly (Home to the "Nursing is Normal: VT project. See it at www.youtube.com/ArtOfBreastfeeding )
17. Clean air (It is VERMONT!)
18. Quiet (SEE ABOVE)
19. Great public library and affordable family activities
20. Support groups such as LLL, API, Holistic Moms, and Meetup (We have a weekly new moms group held at the hospital run by a nurse midwife/lactation guru).

[Peggy O'Mara]

This is such a cool thread. Great to see some towns I didn't know about. And, great tips for where to move.

[Cynthia Mosher]

I have a list of the 23 cities nominated so far (see my first post above). Anyone else have a nomination to make? 

Dede Scheppe, Klllowe, and Beth Schultz welcome to Mothering and thanks for your nominations! We'd love to see the list of qualities placed in your post so we are clear that you confirm all of the qualities you place are to be found in the city you are nominating. Just click the edit pencil iat the bottom of your post and copy and past the list of qualities. You can remove those qualities that do not apply. 

[goldenwillow]

I second Bellingham, WA.  It is an amazing place.  The last coolest thing they rid of is plastic bags at grocery stores. 

[Iridescent]

Owen Sound in Ontario has a pretty big alternative community! It's about 45 mins from us and I have friends there who say it's a city in the process of redefinition, post-industrial revival and a shift toward crunchy/artsy/alt vibe. Heard the same thing about North Bay!

Owen Sound:

1. Easy access to nature through large public parks, bike trails, state and national parks, and nearby bodies of water.
   Check. OS is on the water and surrounded by lots of farmland, rail trail, tracts of old forest, beaches, quiet farm/beach communities.
2. Composting and recycling programs.
   Yep, all of ON has recycling and many people compost as a way of life.
3. Affordable housing
   Yep!
4. Diverse population
   Check!
5. Good elder services
   Not sure about this, but we do of course have health care and OS has one of the best centers in the area.
6. Good public transit
   Dunno, I think so.
7. Child friendly
   Yep! Not a lot to do, but it's very safe, nice schools for the general area, kids still play outside through their neighbourhoods with each other without much concern from parents.
8. Pesticides banned
   Not sure, I'd assume so.
9. Farmer markets, CSAs, community gardens.
   Big farmers market and flea markets all over the area, not sure about others.
10. Backyard chickens legal
    Yep.
11. Homeschool friendly
    Yep, ON is the second best province for HSing and Grey and Bruce ctys are very HS friendly.
12. Midwives and homebirth legal
    Yep.
13. Healthy birth culture
    Dunno.
14. Philosophical exemptions for vaccines
    Yep.
15. Alternative and integrative health practitioners
    Yep, several alternate paeds and a whole bunch of alt health services.
16. Breastfeeding friendly
    I assume so.
17. Clean air
    Oh yes!
18. Quiet
    Quiet enough to be peaceful, not quiet enough to be boring.
19. Great public library and affordable family activities
    Yep.
20. Support groups such as LLL, API, Holistic Moms, and Meetup
    Not sure, but I would think so.

[StarJune]

Originally Posted by colsxjack 

I would love to nominate my home town of Toronto, Ontario Canada.

I also have to add to the list that we have free healthcare!!!!

And a diverse (and expanding) public school system. Such as public catholic schools, french speaking schools, french immersion schools, an Aboriginal School and Aboriginal studies incorporated into "regular" public schools, and an Afro-centric elementary school.

I agree. Toronto is a great city!

[Princessjules]

I am not voting because I haven't lived in any of these cities and I live in MO now and people are super conservative which apparently can be anti- AP, BFing etc etc.. I did want to say that I was VERY encouraged to see Austin nominated a couple of times. DH might be getting a job there and I would like to be around more people with similar child rearing philosophies... Esp BFing in public... apparently that's a big freakin no-no around here...