Where would you rather live: NYC, Atlanta or Columbus?

Anyone?

One is a top tier international powerhouse city that will offer you every opportunity imaginable if you have money. If you'll be trying to live frugally, it can be a bit rough to say the least.

One is a nice mid-high tier American town that has some charm and nice neighborhoods at a tolerable cost of living. Too hot in the summer but nice rest of the year.

One is a dummmmmp in Ohio.

You go to grad school for the SCHOOL, bro.

Ohio State, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Emory, NYU, Columbia, St. John.

Atlanta is a shoot hole. It's like one big suburb. Emory is better than Ohio State for most (all?) things though.

I would choose Atlanta.

Compared to NYC, the weather is much better, it's not a cramped hellhole, it's not as expensive, there are plenty of open spaces and you are less likely to get murdered for selling non-government approved cigarettes.

Dump, dump, expensive. That is what it boils down to. Can you afford NY on a stipend?

Really Bro wrote:

You go to grad school for the SCHOOL, bro.

Ohio State, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Emory, NYU, Columbia, St. John.

Atlanta is a shoot hole. It's like one big suburb. Emory is better than Ohio State for most (all?) things though.

I fully agree with you, but I already have lots of information about the different programs I was accepted to. I wanted to get some understanding of what I would be getting into with the different towns.

somebloke wrote:

Dump, dump, expensive. That is what it boils down to. Can you afford NY on a stipend?

I would probably have to TA a lot compared to other places, which would take away some of the time I could focus on my research. At least that was the impression I got on my visit.

For those saying Columbus is a dump, I have to wonder if they've ever been there (here). I'm a life long resident and unless there was a specific job that I needed to have, I can't find a reason to leave. For a city pushing 1 million people, it's pretty clean and the traffic isn't too bad most of the time. We have a great park system (Columbus Metro Parks) and a nice running scene. Cost of living is still good. In most of the suburbs you can get a 2500 - 3000 sq ft place for 300k. If you have more money, it's not hard to find million dollar+ neighborhoods.

Ohio State University is a bonus I think, but then I went there and growing up here, it's almost expected. It's a big school with something like 700 buildings on main campus. It's a town itself with it's own nightlife. At my age it's not the place for me, but for a young man or woman, it is probably a pretty happening place to be.

My mom lives in Atlanta, and while I sort of like the Buckhead area, the rest of it is not for me. The traffic is downright atrocious, it feels more dangerous (do not know if it actually is), and the cost of living is higher. Having MARTA is nice, that is something Columbus lacks. We just have buses and they aren't super efficient way of moving about.

NYC is a different beast altogether. I think if I had a bunch of money I'd like to try living there for a year, but I think it would get old pretty quick. Too crowded. I've only been there a couple of times for vacation though, so I cannot say I really know anything.

If money is of no concern I would choose NYC. You can literally walk out your door and go to a new restaurant every night with ambiance you just don't get in other places. I live here now and you can stroll by a new art gallery, speakeasy, pop up store every time you go out. The nightlife is super fun as well - you just don't get in other places. There is definitely an energy you feel the second you start to see the tall buildings and it doesn't get old after one year. My friend said after ten years of living here it got old so he finally decided to move.

With that said it is super expensive (rent is ludicrous). If you live in Queens and Brooklyn you might be able to afford a car if you want to get away for outdoors stuff on the weekends but good luck in Manhattan. The subway is gross and I don't think the % of jerks is higher here there anywhere else but they sure do stick out. If you do work here and want to make money expect to work in some high stress job too.

I think Atlanta might be a nice middle ground and is nice. Columbus seems too much like a college town for me what I have never been there.

Columbus is a great city to raise a family. Cost of living is zero. Public schools are excellent. If your kids are not Ivy types, in state tuition at OSU and UC is really cheap and a very good bang for the buck with some excellent programs at both schools. And there are plenty of other good state schools like Miami U and Bowling Green if the big campuses are not right for your kids.

If you are a single guy looking for a vibrant city with lots to do, Columbus is pretty dreadful. There is nothing worse that women with a Midwest accent. There is nothing worse than someone who says "My backpack is in my car" and it comes out as "My beckpeck is in my kair". Nightlife is dominated by college kids and recent grads. And there is just a general midwestern dumpiness about the city.

NYC is an amazing city. It is impossible to raise a family in NYC even if you are filthy rich. If you are going to make really good money and can afford a tiny little crap apartment in Brooklyn or are willing to pile in with roommates, NYC is about as exciting a place for a young guy as you will find in the world. This assumes that you like food from around the world, night life, live music, the arts and so on. If your idea of a good time is drinking MGD while watching the NFL at Shooters over by the mall, Columbus may be your thing.

I grew up in Atlanta. It was pretty redneck in the 70s, but is a totally different place today. The greater metro area is pushing 6 million people. Traffic is dismal, but there is commuter rail and you can greatly reduce the traffic problems if you live close in. Cost of living is higher close in, but pretty average in the burbs. There is a lot to do in Atlanta. Chattahoochee River, mountains to the north and beach to the south. Full slate of pro sports teams and respectable arts organizations. It is not NYC by any stretch, but it is a fun place to live.

NYC smells like a toilet and is insanely expensive.

Columbus is dead.

Atlanta is the clear choice.

McLanta wrote:

NYC smells like a toilet and is insanely expensive.

NYC has a very distinctive smell, but it doesn't smell anything like any toilet I've ever encountered.

I'd stay away from NYC, unless money is of no concern as in above. But thats not the typical grad student. Personally, I'd stay away from NYC anyway but thats just me, at least at this point. UCLA is where I did my graduate work, couldn't have had a better experience. Go west young man, go west.

McLanta wrote:

NYC smells like a toilet and is insanely expensive.

Columbus is dead.

Atlanta is the clear choice.

Way too humid in Atlanta. If I must subjected to heat, I'd prefer the dry variety. But thats just me.

Columbus for me, for sure. I'm not a huge city fan, so that rules out NYC (plus cost of living!). Atlanta is too hot for me (I need seasons).

That leaves Columbus. I've had friends who liked it, and as a whole I like Midwest cities. My biggest problem would probably the 7 or 8 Saturdays in the fall when the football team plays.

Precious Roy wrote: There is nothing worse that women with a Midwest accent. There is nothing worse than someone who says "My backpack is in my car" and it comes out as "My beckpeck is in my kair".

As opposed to, said at half-speed, "Mah baykpayk izz ihn mah coahr." ???

My point-- not all Midwestern-speak is that bad,and not all Southern accents are sexy or endearing.

No ya'lls nor fixin' tos here, SS.

I live in ATL and work at a well regarded university there... came 13 years from the midwest never expecting it to turn into home and I love it here.

I would certainly encourage you to think about the program as well as the location. That said, depending on what program you are joining, often recruiters and the alumni base does have a larger presence near the university, so it's worth also thinking about it in terms of where you want to have your first job. Networking, etc, is always cheaper and easier closer to the university you're at.

In all 3 cost of living will vary significantly. I have never lived in Ohio, but between ATL and NY, I consider ATL "smaller, less of everything than NY, but there's still a lot and you can afford to do it!" NY of course has everything- but cost of living can preclude you enjoying it.

ATL has some great restaurants - classy and hole in wall (google Buford Hwy for our main drag with every ethnic cusine you could want) ATL UTD is a great addition to the city sports scene, tons of local venues for music if you want smaller concerts vs the huge pricey things, same for the theater scene... you'll have to drive/uber more than you would in NYC...

Good luck with your decision!

I went to college near Atlanta (Emory) and grew up in Manhattan. After college, I returned to Manhattan.

As a grad school student, Atlanta is the clear winner. Cost of living is low and your dollar goes further. It still feels like a major metropolitan city. You can find everything you expect out of a good city. Lots of high quality dining, good music scene, diverse culture etc. Just outside Atlanta, you have a lot of outdoor activities. Some mountains, great trails, etc.

I don't know much about Columbus because I haven't spent a lot of time there. I would assume that it had good cost of living, but it doesn't feel like a metropolitan city. Its a fine city, just not a great one.

New York is awesome. But it can be a very expensive place to live. As a student, you won't have the money to take advantage of some of the benefits of NYC.

Yeah, I certainly am taking the programs into heavy account, I just wanted some perspective on what it would be like to actually live in any of these cities. Thanks for the info everyone who has answered so far!