Where should a recent graduate move to in US?

Question

Just graduated from university with a bachelor's in exercise science and am looking for jobs as a Physical Therapy Aide. I have lived in Atlanta, GA my entire life and would really love to branch out. I have some family in san fran/san diego and Manhattan. I am a very active 22/female who loves the outdoors and the city...I just get bored in Atlanta sometimes because of the smog/inconvenience of riding my bike on the street etc. The places I am considering are Seattle, Chicago, NYC, San Fran-Bay area, and Portland. I have applied to jobs in all and have had some feedback from seattle and nyc. Many people have recommended me to go out west because of the active lifestyle and outdoors but I have heard amazing things about Chicago...and I've been to NYC a lot. Anyways, I just cannot make a decision because I want the best of both worlds, outdoors/active culture and city....transportation is a must. I just want some recommendations for a student moving to an unknown area/city and what parts of that city because each one has job offerings in all of these places but, like Atlanta, they can be a not/so great part of town. You get my drift:)

Answer 1

Okhaloma, great uni there

Answer 2

I was thinking you might really like Portland, Oregon. I also think you'd like San Fran, but it's unbelievably expensive to live there right now. Otherwise, it's perfect. I love it, but the prices! Higher than NYC!

Portland is smaller by far than San Fran, but it may have the right combo of funky smaller city and extreme love of the outdoors for you. Very big outdoors culture, plus fun city. Nice. Decent public transit as well. Very inexpensive, relative to NY or SF.

Seattle could also work. My friends who live there love it.

I know you didn't list it, but you may also like Colorado - Boulder, perhaps. Extremely popular outdoor culture, lots to do, but relatively quite conservative - not sure what you want re: culture and politics. Far more sun in Colorado than in Seattle, and than Portland.

NYC and biking... Not so much. Not on the streets, anyway. Central Park is good for it, but the streets? People do it, but it's not easy, and it's dangerous with the traffic. My friend was a bike messenger. I don't recommend it. But you've been here, so what do *you* think?

NYC does have a very active outdoor culture, which surprises people when they hear of it. It's a very active city.

Boston, you don't list, but you might like. Active outdoor culture, good public transit, cheaper than NYC, lots of culture, access to mountains and beaches. Nice.  

Answer 3

If you just graduated with a bachelor's in exercise science, I think moving to the SF Bay Area is a great choice. You mentioned a lot that you love the city, and there are many bikers there. UCSF is a good med school and you would like the atmosphere and great weather. Transportation isn't a problem in the city either... biking, public transportation, it's all there.  

Answer 4

I just moved to Portland a few months ago and I love it!  It's a young city, lots of attractive people in the same age demographic.  VERY outdoorsy.  The city is surrounded by mountains so there are lots of trails, rivers, and camp grounds.  It's also bigger than people think.  Great public transit, too.

Answer 5

lol...when I read your question I was going to tell you Atlanta, then I opened it and read the rest..I guess not. Philadelphia is great!