Ahh the inner conflict, big city living or wide open spaces? Cant I have both? <g>
Your appraisal of the Northwest is, to my recollection of it, pretty right on. But it also has Portland, a big IT magnet.
As to Megalopolis, there's a joke in Philadelphia. I dont remember how it goes, but basically it says New Jersey has been dissolved, N. Jersey now being a borough of NYC, and S. Jersey a municipality of Philly. :) I must admit that the Megalopolis has its attractions, but when you consider that much of it is urban wasteland (Jersey City anyone? Camden?), it leaves much to be desired. Add to that a high cost of living, high taxation, and congestion, its just plain unpleasant, IMO. Northern Virginia is as you said the place to be if you want in on it, but even that area is declining. I lived in Chartlottesville and VA Beach, and that I have to say were nice areas of the state. If I were to consider grad school again, I would probably consider U of V at Charlottesville, for the area and for AJ Simmons ;). I also wouldnt mind Atlanta, a very nice city, although I dont know if we could consider Atlanta "East Coast."
Derek |
