I know it’s been asked before but

Where can you raise a family that has progressive state legislation, strong sense of community, better than decent schools, low risk of natural disaster and 3+ bedroom homes for under $500k?

Currently living in Columbus, OH and looking to move since me and my husband had a baby and don’t want to raise a child here. Our top concern is living in a red state that won’t protect public education and the population is trending more and more conservative and we want to share values with our most of our neighbors. It also feels like a manufactured city with no real sense of identity or culture.

Husband works in food and beverage and I freelance so we’re pretty flexible when it comes to the job market. We like the idea of a small town near a bigger city, just nothing super suburban or rural feeling. Schools don’t have to be the best in the state but decently good. A walkable town would be great, somewhere that has a charming main street and community events.

We’re looking in Connecticut (coast between New Haven and RI and west of Hartford) and the twin cities. Where else should we consider?