young family moving to CO from Austin, TX
my husband and I are born and raised in Austin, Texas and are ready to get TF out of here. I love Austin and our community, but we've just done the damn thing here and are desperate for new energy, new air, and essentially, new streets that we don't know where they end. we're both 28 and have 3 daughters (2, 4, 7). we love to be outdoors, and my husband and oldest daughter love the snow. (I am partial to the beach, but if I can find some great fresh water spots, that will do for me) we can get down w the "granola" life, and I tend to lean a little "woo woo". we love music, art, museums, fitness, etc. and the quality of schools is really important. (I am open to "charter" or partial home-schooling, but mamas gotta work some too)
-I want a town that has true community. we've lived in a big city, and while the neighborhood we're in is a great community within itself, the city just feels like it stretches forever.
-I would love a solid downtown. somewhere we can walk and get dinner or shops or dessert or live music. we aren't hitting the clubs but can still find entertainment.
- ample trails!!! lots of hiking, stroller walks, and bike rides.
-kind of linking the last two, but I like to keep fit: strength classes, yoga, boxing etc. I don't need places that specialize in just those things, but definitely somewhere I could get a solid sweat on. even like a local YMCA/rec center. (childcare available is a MAJOR BONUS)
-still have access to grocery stores and things without feeling like you're living between highways. (idk if co is like that, but Austin definitely is)
-and of course, good schools. my daughter is in a 504 program that has been super helpful and continuing that is really important to us.
right now, we're feeling strongly towards ARVADA. does this align with what was listed above (or at least most)?
I've scoured the internet for info, but there's nothing like true recs from boots on the ground.
this is where my brain dump ends. if you've made it this far, thank you so much.
open to any and all suggestions. much love!