isabel

My daughter (who is only 32) has lived in NY, Boston, Paris, London and (currently) SF. So I asked what she thought. Here's her answer:

For livability (ease of getting around, cost of living, slower pace, more greenspace):

Boston
SF (would tie with boston, but its waaaaaay too expensive these days)
Paris
London
NY

For access to arts/culture/interesting diverse people/things to do and just general awesomeness:

NY
London
Paris
SF
Boston

So it kind of depends on what phase of life you're in and what you want out of a city. In Boston and SF you're likely to be able to have a bigger house or apartment, can own a car, and the atmosphere is just generally chiller, and it's easier to get out of the city too. But you can't beat NY, London, and Paris for just being totally unique and thrilling cities, with lots of stunning architecture, great food, great music and fashion, and everything that goes along with being a first-class city. But they are also stressful and (London and NY anyway) expensive as hell! And then I guess if you're charting those two curves (liveability v awesomeness) Paris seems to be the sweet spot at lucky #3

Personally, I'd choose London first, followed by NY and then Paris.

nanabee

>Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Austin, Boston or New York?>

It depends on what you like in terms of lifestyle. I would prefer to live in an area were I could swim year round outside. So if I had the opportunity I'd live in Hawaii.

But given the cities you've mentioned, I'd go with maybe Austin or San Francisco because I currently live in Southern California.

Vttraveler

New York from that list.

In Europe I would have a hard time choosing between London and Rome.

GregS41

Not necessary to be in one place for the whole year. I could do 2-3 at most including anywhere that'll take a US passport. Not so much internship as sabbatical but have a business to oversee in US so never on vacation.

starrs

Then definitely a mix. I'd do NYC in spring or fall, Austin in any season but winter, south Florida in winter and SF anytime. Boston maybe in sumner but I'd really spend more time on Cape Cod.

jayne1973

New York, because it has always been a fantasy of mine to live there for sort of a long-term vacation. If housing was paid--score. I would love the ability to get by without a car, stroll through Central Park, see Broadway plays, visit the museums, explore the famous as well as the obscure places, and just really feel like I was a part of the city.

LBloom

Married DD & SIL have lived free room & board in small apartment on Harvard campus for almost 3 years now (they are proctors in exchange for these). Tbey LOVE Boston. Each were also undergrads as well (Brandeis & Harvard). Ocean is short drive east or hiking/skiing mountains to west. Couple hours to NYC. Only downside is now they are spoiled and dread the cost of house as they would like to start family.

StuDudley

>>They LOVE Boston"

I hope they also love the mid-March snow. It's been in the upper 60s & low 70s in the San Francisco area the past couple of days.

Stu Dudley