Wanting to move back to the area

[EvolvingMama]

Hi mamas,

I am from Virginia but have been living in Northeast California for 11 years. In a couple of years, I will be able to move back to my home area and am so glad to be contemplating it!

My folks live in Richmond, but I would like to find a community that is less urban, but not too rural, either. I live in a really small town now, and would like a bit bigger of a town. I am also interested in living in or near the mountains, and I'd love a town that is supportive of natural family living (good recycling, co-op grocery, community gardening, etc...), good public schools, the arts, maybe even has a university...I am thinking of Asheville, NC, but wonder if any of you could recommend any other places?

Thanks so much,

[EvolvingMama]

Oh, and also I'm looking for a community with a Unitarian and/or Episcopal church, a strong knitting/fiber arts community, a good bakery and coffee shops, and where different kinds of families are welcome (we are a one-parent family).

Thanks!

[tbone]

Okay so I just moved here, but it does seem to fit your description, Charlottesville, Va.

Their is the University, there are gorgeous Blue Ridge mountains, it's not big city urban type, but definately not rural either, the City of Charlottesville does curbside recycling, and there is also a recycling center (that even has a book bin, if you like something you take it!), there are definately arts because of the university, there is a small childrens museum, a couple of natural foods stores, some parks have gardening plots that can be rented, there is a Unitarian church, there is probably an Episcopal one, there is knitting/stiching store I've heard of, there are several really excellent bakeries and also several good coffee shops!

I don't know much about the public schools other than the one up the street from me has a really great playground that we go to.

HTH!