Call me a homer, but don't rule out Salt Lake City.
http://livability.com/ut/salt-lake-c...st-places-live
Outdoor activities -- Do I really have to argue this point?
Reasonably progressive --
http://www.cityweekly.net/utah/salt-...nt?oid=2142836
Salt Lake City is a blue oasis of progressive local politics mostly surrounded by a red desert of entrenched conservative thinking (for example, there seems to be an unusually large number of homophobic, tea-partying, climate-change deniers beyond our borders).
In addition to our enlightened politics, we also have one of the largest urban hiking/biking trail systems in the nation (the Bonneville Shoreline); designated wilderness a mere 2.3 miles from our city’s southeast boundary (the Mount Olympus Wilderness); great parks; wonderful public libraries; an array of unique local businesses; a multitude of arts and cultural organizations; and fantastic skiing.
Relatively low taxes --
Report: Utah's tax burden at 20-year low Overall, the tax burden is about middle-of-the-road among states, according to the local experts.
Good international airport -- SLC is a Delta hub, with nonstops to Paris and Amsterdam. There used to be a Tokyo nonstop, and this could return if the Japanese economy ever gets out of recession.
Not brutally cold in winter --
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Salt_Lake_City
Winter temperatures are not as extreme as might be expected, given the elevation 4,300 feet (1,310 m) and latitude (40°45'N) of the city. The Rocky Mountains to the east and northeast of the state block most cold waves from polar highs positioned in the Great Plains from reaching the city. The frigidly cold air that does affect the city must come directly from the north or north-northwest from western Canada through fewer and lower intervening mountains. Temperatures seldom fall below 0 °F (−17.8 °C); Salt Lake City has experienced sub-zero temperatures during only 4 storm cycles in the last 10 years.
Great schools -- class sizes are larger than they should be. But there are public charter schools with smaller sizes, such as my daughter's middle school that focuses on children with potential gifts in the performing arts.
http://www.slarts.org and a performing arts public high school.
http://www.saltlakespa.org/
There are also noted private schools:
http://www.challengerschool.com/
http://www.rowlandhall.org/
http://mcgillisschool.org/
http://waterfordschool.org/