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Now, to figure out if Rochester, MN meets those criteria. I absolutely do not want to live an hour away from the city, if the city is where everything good is. Right now we live an hour away from Ithaca, which is where everything good is. We go there all the time, use a lot of gas and time, and still can never really take full advantage of all Ithaca has to offer because we are outsiders and can't fully join in the community. I don't want that where we move. I want to be in the right place, not have it dangling in front of my face taunting me being an hour away.
So. To be methodical about this. My list, with questions to answer.
-Homeschooling community (not just religious)
A few religious-based groups
Montesori school
No Waldorf school
-No long commutes/heavy traffic
-Crunchy area, lots of organic and healthy focus
http://www.myhealthybeginning.com/
-Organic farms nearby, and farmers markets
http://www.featherstonefarm.com/
http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/M2615
-Not too extreme weather; distinct seasons
-Acreage not too expensive (only maybe up to 5 acres)
-Lots of nice parks/outdoor recreation
Rochester's parks are an important aspect to the quality of life area residents and visitors enjoy. Rochester Park and Recreation Department provides the community with numerous recreational opportunities, with over 3500 acres of park land, more than 60 miles of trails, 56 playgrounds, 46 baseball diamonds, 42 tennis courts, 28 soccer fields, and much more. Visit their website for a complete list of recreational activities and sports leagues or call the Park and Recreation Department at (507) 281-6160. http://www.rochestermn.com/city/recreation/programs/story-187.html
Douglas State Trail
This flat, traffic-free trail passes through a mix of forest and rolling fields between Rochester and Pine Island. The trail is paved with a separate path for horseback riding. The landscape makes for a relaxing and scenic cruise, be sure to keep lookout for the plentiful wildlife that populates the area.
Rochester has over 60 miles of recreational trails. The trails are available for pedestrian, bike, in line skate, wheelchair, and stroller use
-food coops and health food stores
The Good Foods Store, Rochester's local food cooperative.
http://news.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=51&a=388175
http://www.localharvest.org/search.jsp?map=1&lat=44.060636&lon=-92.439257&scale=9&zip=55906
-closer proximity to a city for cultural exposure for us and the kids
http://www.smm.org/ Science Museum of MN
http://www.mmaa.org/home.html MN Museum of American Art
http://www.rochestermn.com/regional/destinations/cat-164.html
-easy access to homebirth midwives, and enough to be able to CHOOSE, not too much legal issue
OMG SPINNING BABIES IS IN MN!
http://www.spinningbabies.com/minnesota-birth
Sent email to someone at http://www.minnesotabirthnetwork.com/index.html#aboutus
Got reply--very medical town, hard to get natural birth in hospital, referred me to another midwife for more info; emailed her, waiting for reply
-clean fresh air and beautiful surroundings
-a wonderful job that Jake loves, with people he respects and who respect him
-other companies he could work for locally in the future if necessary (companies using SAP)
A little concerned about the prominence of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Most jobs/industry there seems medically-oriented, and I'm afraid the whole area might be too medical for us.
So. To be methodical about this. My list, with questions to answer.
-Homeschooling community (not just religious)
A few religious-based groups
Montesori school
No Waldorf school
-No long commutes/heavy traffic
-Crunchy area, lots of organic and healthy focus
http://www.myhealthybeginning.com/
-Organic farms nearby, and farmers markets
http://www.featherstonefarm.com/
http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/M2615
-Not too extreme weather; distinct seasons
-Acreage not too expensive (only maybe up to 5 acres)
-Lots of nice parks/outdoor recreation
Rochester's parks are an important aspect to the quality of life area residents and visitors enjoy. Rochester Park and Recreation Department provides the community with numerous recreational opportunities, with over 3500 acres of park land, more than 60 miles of trails, 56 playgrounds, 46 baseball diamonds, 42 tennis courts, 28 soccer fields, and much more. Visit their website for a complete list of recreational activities and sports leagues or call the Park and Recreation Department at (507) 281-6160. http://www.rochestermn.com/city/recreation/programs/story-187.html
Douglas State Trail
This flat, traffic-free trail passes through a mix of forest and rolling fields between Rochester and Pine Island. The trail is paved with a separate path for horseback riding. The landscape makes for a relaxing and scenic cruise, be sure to keep lookout for the plentiful wildlife that populates the area.
Rochester has over 60 miles of recreational trails. The trails are available for pedestrian, bike, in line skate, wheelchair, and stroller use
-food coops and health food stores
The Good Foods Store, Rochester's local food cooperative.
http://news.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=51&a=388175
http://www.localharvest.org/search.jsp?map=1&lat=44.060636&lon=-92.439257&scale=9&zip=55906
-closer proximity to a city for cultural exposure for us and the kids
http://www.smm.org/ Science Museum of MN
http://www.mmaa.org/home.html MN Museum of American Art
http://www.rochestermn.com/regional/destinations/cat-164.html
-easy access to homebirth midwives, and enough to be able to CHOOSE, not too much legal issue
OMG SPINNING BABIES IS IN MN!
http://www.spinningbabies.com/minnesota-birth
Sent email to someone at http://www.minnesotabirthnetwork.com/index.html#aboutus
Got reply--very medical town, hard to get natural birth in hospital, referred me to another midwife for more info; emailed her, waiting for reply
-clean fresh air and beautiful surroundings
-a wonderful job that Jake loves, with people he respects and who respect him
-other companies he could work for locally in the future if necessary (companies using SAP)
A little concerned about the prominence of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Most jobs/industry there seems medically-oriented, and I'm afraid the whole area might be too medical for us.
