Thanks so much for the replies, peeps. Most of this we had thought of (proximity, travel, kids and their hobbies and interests, etc.) but some of it we had not. The only thing I'll say is this and it's really to franklin. I hear ya man on within 45 minutes. I do. But then, I wouldn't feel like we're getting away. Anything within a two hour drive would feel like NJ or remind me of NJ. I want to get away, like it's a whole 'nother world. Maine, NH, or Vermont would each be that own little world to me and that's why we're considering there, at this point Maine specifically though because of the cheap land and tranquility yes but also because we'd be a couple hours from the shore (just a change of pace from the Jersey shore) and some other cool towns like Portland, Camden and Augusta. The place I linked is about 6.5 hours from where we currently live which is nothing (I've driven more than that on a few vacations recently)...kids will of course change all that but by the time we bought it, our youngest would probably be five years of age and not a toddler crying all night. I'd get everyone up at 3 in the morning, they could sleep til about 8am, we'd get breakfast somewhere in Masschussetts, and then we'd be up at the place by 11am...this would cost us about $200 in gas and of course meals...way cheaper than airfare, almost just as quick when you consider going to the airport and checking in and security and flying and getting the rental car and driving the rest of the way and paying for gas for that rental...not to mention the journey as a family is part of the trip. Obviously my tune may change once the parenting begins in the next week or two but as of now, I plan on being as old school as possible and preserving many of the fundamental tenets many of us were raised on while still being very pragmatic.
