time to vote

... not for the French election just yet, but for something equally earth-shattering.

So the choice as it stands is: we're staying in France for another year, maybe five (although the exchange rate may force us out). The two contenders are the Montpellier and Nice areas, and for the following reasons.

Nice:

• besides Paris, only French airport with direct flights to the US
  
• biggest technology pole outside of Paris
  
• lots of bilingual schools
  
• lots of international folks
  
• we've finally started to connect with some really nice people here: international, young kids, techno oriented - our kind of people (whereas in Montpellier we know 1 person)
  
• we have a comfortable routine here; don't laugh too hard, it's the stuff of everyday life: a mommy&me group followed by doing groceries with the little one, a yoga class or a swim session, some favorite hikes; we finally know where to buy cheaper wood for the chimney, or paper supplies, or who to call to clean the boiler. it's the stuff that makes daily life smooth(er).

Montpellier:

• we love the city, it's upbeat, growing, young, happening, and - we hope - less dominated by grumpy old folks. In fact we've been to more exhibits and museums in our two quick weekends to Montpellier than we have in Nice.
  
• much more accessible to Paris and the rest of France by train and car than Nice (read, mother may babysit more often, brothers may visit more)
  
• the price of life is high but not yet quite as exhorbitant as Nice
  
• I feel closer to the culture of Montpellier (Spain-influenced) than to the culture of Nice (Italy-influenced): food wise, fashion wise, lifestyle wise. I've always felt that Nice wasn't really France, didn't look or behave like France, was more of a facade for tourists, whereas around Montpellier I feel that we're stepping back in France with gorgeous 'allées de platanes' (tree-lined roads) for instance.
  
• (The city's also got the best hospitals in France; there's a tiny minute chance that my brother could do his residency there).

As you can see, it looks like long-term Montpellier may be a better fit for us, or so we think, but it's such a gamble. Do we really want to start all over again with 1+ years of struggling to meet a friendly soul, when there's absolutely no guarantee that we'll find the right community for us? It's a long and arduous process. I feel that this is it: we wouldn't move to Montpellier than decide to move back around here a year later. We have limited opportunities to meet others - working from home, no kids in school, etc.
Are we splitting hairs over a decision most families never get the chance to make (since their location is mandated by a job)?

Please tell me what you think. I don't care if you know nothing or close to nothing about either cities, I really want to hear your opinions. Please. Help.