I’m considering Air Force Reserves (please don’t derail this thread into a ‘No don’t join the military!’ pile-on, open your own thread for that) and I could chose between several bases all across the country in different states. I have no desire to remain here in Gulfport MS; I’m a city girl. I want lots of people and things to do. I’ve tentatively narrowed it down to Tacoma WA, Springfield MA, San Antonio TX, Riverside CA, and Washington DC. If possible, I’d like to hear opinions on them and the pluses and minuses of the cities (obviously I’m not expecting people to have been to all of them, but if you know of problems like soul-killing gridlock or astronomical rape rates or something, I’d like to hear it). I’m mostly interested in cultural opportunities, the dating scene, the friendliness of natives, activities, etc.
Tacoma WA (196,532) is one I’m really interested in, as everyone I know who’s lived in WA loved it there. I have never been to WA myself. From what I was able to ascertain on city-data.com, Tacoma is talked about as sort of the ‘redheaded step-child’ of WA. Considering my other choice of place to live is New Orleans, Tacoma’s crime rate doesn’t even faze me. It really sounds like a nice city and got high ratings on livability.
Washington DC (pop: 588,292) is also in the runnings because I’ve lived in the general vicinity before (Baltimore and Annapolis), I know the area, and I have lots of friends in MD.
Riverside CA (pop: 311,575) isn’t too far from Los Angeles, where I lived for the summer last year. I would also know people in the area and hey, the weather’s nice.
San Antonio TX (pop: 1,328,984) is by far the biggest city on the list, and the only Southern city. It would put me within reasonable proximity (ie a visit a few times a year) of my family and friends in MS. The Tejano culture is appealing for food and music.
Springfield MA (pop: 682,657) isn’t too, too far from my friends in the MD area, and it seems like a really nice city. I have never been there.