Thinking about a move (2 years from now). Sell me on your city

[bassjones]

My wife will be receiving her Masters of Divinity in 2 years and we will likely be looking to move.  She is going to be a hospital chaplain, preferably working in Pediatrics (she is currently a social worker).

Priorities:
Warm climate - she has Rheumatoid Arthritis and these cold upper Midwest winters are starting to wreak havoc

Schools - my daughter is currently in 5th grade so good schools with good athletic programs are a must.  She is 11 and is already 5'7" with projections at 6'3", is a dancer so graceful and coordinated, and LOVES basketball and volleyball.  She has a really good shot at athletic scholarships so that is an important piece.  Prefer diversity, not rich, white, suburban schools, but must be academically sound as well

Hospitals - since that is my wife's career, there must be good hospitals, preferably with solid pediatrics units.

Churches - we currently attend a unique church in that it is theologically quite conservative, but very racially diverse and community outreach focused.  We prefer the same in a church.  Must also have a good, active music/worship program I can get involved in, preferably leaning towards modern urban gospel, ala Israel Houghton, Fred Hammond, that sort of thing.  I play bass....  At this point I would rather be the salt in the pepper shaker than attend an all white suburban church, but we would really prefer true diversity

Local Music Scene - Must have an active local music scene, preferably with a good jazz, funk, jam band scene, and not solely country or rock.  Possibly active enough for me to play full time, but at least enough for me to be actively playing 1-2 weekends a month

Good Motorcycle Roads - mountains, twisty roads, good weather, etc...  this rules out Florida

Reasonably close to home - our families are primarily in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, with extended family in Kansas (hers) and Iowa, Tennessee/Georgia (mine).

This probably means Southeast region of the country - Tennessee, Georgia, North/South Carolina, maybe Virginia though winters there can still be unreasonably cold for her medical condition.

Sell me on your city!

[Sport-Touring]

[Meemuh]

I'd be interested in what you find out...
We may or may not be in the same boat - but I'm the one who's finishing school.
Not much lucrative in the mitten, and "they" don't expect that there will be for a long time.

All of your criteria sound good to me, so I'll watch this thread for a while and see where it goes.

[Atitalongtime]

I've got the church for you in DFW...
I think you've got to click on a live service on Saturday night or Sunday to get the music... copyright stuff.
They have their own Label;
 http://gatewaypeople.com/

As for roads in Texas... West side of Austin is the ticket... but it's a Liberal Strong-whole, Collage, State Capitol type of town

The Ozarks also fit the bill in  NW Arkansas
If you can find work...

Ya got some time... sounds like a road trip excuse to me

[UHOH]

 Prefer diversity, not rich, white, suburban schools, but must be academically sound as well

bet you can find an OK church about where ever (if you're the slight bit flexy), but think this ^^^might be harder.   Luck.

[mtrider16]

I'm sure anywhere but Montana will be nice.    (we're trying to keep it a secret!)

[stefrrr]

I'm sure it goes without saying that Florida is a bad idea.  

[SlakeMoth]

Don't come to Seattle.  Rains ALL the time.  Yup.  And the undead walk the streets.  Nasty place.  

[stefrrr]

Oh, check out findyourspot.com.

[bassjones]

I'm sure anywhere but Montana will be nice.    (we're trying to keep it a secret!)

doesn't fit the "warm" criteria...

[chornbe]

My nephew LOVES San Diego. My brother LOVES Vegas. I can not recommend the Philly area on weather and angst, but other wise, we've got a LOT to offer in your other criteria. Sorry.

[Formerly Known as Bigfoot]

This site might be a good resource for you.

http://www.bestplaces.net

Another one.  

http://citydata.com/

[phoenix]

checking public school rankings, I would say that (southern) Virginia is maybe a good area to target. They rank pretty high in public schools. Using the general location of Virginia against the location of the rest of your family, I would think its maybe the best option at moving a little further south, having good riding close to you, and lots of new places to explore. Sounds like you want to live in or near a relatively big city based on your other criteria.

I've never been there except for just passing through. We've lived around the US, but most places we have lived don't seem to match your criteria too well except for maybe Arkansas (near Little Rock) but their public schools are not ranked well.

[JonS]

My family lives in the Richmond, VA area and I have to say that it is very nice.

[kitesurfer]

good that you've already rulled out florida.  you'd be surprised how many north of fla types move here and try to change it to michigan/ohio/mass/maryland/penn....  but the real question is, 'what do you have to offer?'  i spent the first 20 years of my life in a place that God created.  it don't get no better than that!  but then He created Florida too!

[bomber]

Bass -- you already know this, but if you move in the middle of your daughter's junior high school years, even a Chaplin at the dining room table won't be enough . . . . . . . . tough age . . . . . . . .good luck!

[bassjones]

It's mainly for my wife's health which is worsening every winter in the cold.  Don't feel like we have much choice.  Also, my daughter is extremely outgoing, a gifted athlete, and makes friends very easily so I don't think she'll have the issues that a lot of other kids have.  We want to do it by 9th grade though so she doesn't have to move once she's in High School.

[bomber]

It's mainly for my wife's health which is worsening every winter in the cold.  Don't feel like we have much choice.  Also, my daughter is extremely outgoing, a gifted athlete, and makes friends very easily so I don't think she'll have the issues that a lot of other kids have.  We want to do it by 9th grade though so she doesn't have to move once she's in High School.

Yessir -- highschool in one place is important -- fingers crossed fofr a splendid outcome for you.

[Castaway]

Austin, Texas, may suit you. They got a great music scene and probably the same mix of schools that any city has. Maybe too far from your current home?

[bassjones]

Austin would be great, but yes, too far from family - at least for my wife  Richmond, VA is an appealing option.

[Formerly Known as Bigfoot]

My family lives in the Richmond, VA area and I have to say that it is very nice.

The riding roads suck though.  Too far from the mountains and too close to I 95.  --------------> Long time Virginian here.