Need help choosing: Denver, Seattle or Cleveland

[Nyamae's Mama]

Hello Mamas,

My husband is back in school to become a nurse, he is thinking about labor & delivery. We have 2 1/2 DD & 4 mo DD, and hope for at least 1 more. I am a SAHM that will some day go back to teach at the college level. DH and I are ~30yrs, into good food, nice people, and fun things for the family. We do not vax, we do homebirth, and plan to homeschool.

IF you were us, would you live in Denver, Co / Seattle, WA / Cleveland, OH???
Why???

[OhMel]

Well of course I'm biased (I swear I just stumbled on this in new posts) and would miss you if you left, but I would consider the cost of living first and foremost. You never know when your circumstances may change and having the lower cost makes being a SAHM much easier. That said, I think Cleveland rocks! I don't actually think you are in the best part for enjoying everything.

[Nyamae's Mama]

Thanks OhMel! We would miss you also. Just kicking around ideas. We would love to be near my sister, so the other options wouldinclude that. So far, I think Cleveland is winning out.

[Bellejar]

I live on Seattle's eastside and the cost of living here is crazy. Pluses are of course that it is beautiful during the summer, people here are very accepting and pretty darn earthy in general. Downsides include the aforementioned crazy cost of living, winter is rainy and grey and also that it is really hard to make friends out here compared to anywhere else I have lived. I have been here eight years and it's been only about 3 since I have made good friends. I am also really social so I don't know what is up. I have heard others complain about this too. People are friendly but for some reason making that extra connection is hard. Good luck with your decision.

[hug-o-war]

Seattle =) Doesn't mean you'd have to stay forever, right? I think it would be a fun adventure! Lived there before Portland (which would be my first choice if you had it listed! But we have so many things we miss about Seattle...).

[kylesmama]

well having lived in all 3 of those states I thought I should reply...:wink

in my opinion - the best weather = Denver - esp if you like 4 seasons - I know it can be gray in OH a bunch so that won't be too much of a shocker in Seattle - just not as hot & humid in the summer.

as far as things to do with kids - I think Seattle has it hands down. you have nautre, mountains, water, city, you have it all. there are prob crunchy parts of each place. there is a large homeschool community here in Seattle & also in Boulder. not sure about OH.

personally I find more connection in WA / CO but the cost of living is higher. It definitely is more affordable in OH but then you don't have the mtns or water if that is interesting to you. I was born in OH but don't really miss it personally - but I am sure you have a large network of friends there that I don't - just extended family.

you mention colleges - we are here b/c we want to be somewhere with good colleges for in state education & think there are great well rounded choices here.

good luck on your decision! feel free to pm if you have more specific questions! :thumb

[ilovejeff]

I've never been to Ohio and haven't been to Colorado since I was a kid, but I'll address Seattle.

I grew up in Eastern Washington, where there are really four seasons, as a pp said. I moved from there to Seattle 8 1/2 years ago because I didn't like the snow (among other reasons.....). We rarely get snow in Seattle and when we do it doesn't stick around for long. The problem is, we also rarely see the sun. The first couple years that I lived here we had really nice summers, but the last few years have had a few nice days and a lot of overcast days and rain. We have what they call sunbreaks here...when the sun breaks through the clouds for a few minutes. We had a total of 9 days of full sun here last summer. (Not my number - I read it in the newspaper.) DH and I have both been told that we have Seasonal Affective Disorder and I agree 100% with the diagnosis.

A PP mentioned that it's hard to make friends here. I was reading something about that a while back too...they call it the Seattle Freeze. There is a certain stand-offishness to many of those who have been here a while...it's hard to break into the inner circle and can be very cliche-y. It's usually much easier to make friends with people who are relatively new to the area (they are probably having problems making friends, too.)

I realize that I sound really negative about Seattle, but I figured you wanted honest opinions, right? DH and I plan to move to Las Vegas next year, where we will be able to buy a much larger, nice home for about 1/2 the price (which will allow me to be a SAHM.) Make sure to check out housing prices and ask questions on the tribal area boards about neighborhoods in the cities you're thinking about.

[lisser]

Have you considered Boulder, CO? Its very hippy, has an awesome farmers market, a really supportive place for parents (called the Parening Place), lots of stuff to do, great public transportation. Its about 30 miles north east of downtown denver. I would choose CO due to weather also (LOTS of sun!) Winters are actually VERY mild (lived in CO most of my life on both sides of the state). PM me if you have questions.

[lisasaurus]

I'm originally from Westlake, Ohio... moved to Portland, OR 7 years ago...

now thinking about moving back to Cleveland. I love the Pacific NW - the people and the landscape and the culture, its all wonderful. but its just not affordable for us (1 income). We can't afford to buy the size house that we need for our family, and we have virtually no friends with babies. so i'm feeling really isolated. We have no babysitters because our family is all back in OH.

so.... we're gonna move to cleveland i think. we'll be able to get the house we need... near great schools and loads of family so we can get a break from the little one from time to time.

but if you're feeling the urge to move, you should explore that. but i do think cleveland is a great place to raise kids.

[darkstar]

You know mama...it really depends on what you like to do. Do you love the snow?? Skiing/boarding etc. If you do Colorado is AWSOME!!! And it is so lush and green in the summer. Do you love the rain, becuase you have to to live in Seattle. Cleveland?? Well the great lakes are there. The weather is umm...midwestern. Hot and humid in the summer and Cold as heck in the winter. Although the 4 seasons are great I wouldnt choose to live in Ohio(sorry OH mamas)
:rainbow
darkstar