What about Washington DC? My wife has been accepted to Georgetown and it looks like we'll be spending the next 5 years (at least) in DC. Based on a short visit, it seems like a very livable city with lots of parks and great public transportation. There are lots of cultural attractions and the local job market is supposed to be better than most. Close to NYC, Philadelphia, and the coast. Also have direct flights to Europe (my wife is from Spain). The only down side is the cost of living...EXPENSIVE! Our other option is Tucson, AZ, where the cost of living is much lower but the local economy is not so great and you need a car to go anywhere.
