Boston vs. Northern VA

[Queenykins]

I'm trying to get a feel for which area has better options for thriving/living/etc.

I'm obviously weighing my options school wise, but career options and living environment are also factors into my moving. 

Any advice would be lovely. ?

[goldenbowl]

I grew up in Charlottesville, VA and have been attending undergraduate in Western Mass, so while I have not lived in either area I’ve had proximity to both. 

Im not really familiar with either school and you haven’t said anything about what each one offers academically. Purely in terms of city , I think that Boston is a much better place to live than DC/Northern Virginia. It’s a much more “academic” city, and I think you’ll be more likely to meet people with similar paths and goals. Networking wise, it’s probably better for most academic interests. 

You wouldn’t go wrong with DC though. What you lose from the network of universities located in Boston and Cambridge you gain from the availability of government facilities. Based on those I know who have moved/lived in both places, you might also be able to live more affordably in DC. If you are in Northern a Virginia though, be aware that DC is one of the few remaining US cities that retains the very traditional suburb to inner city dynamic, due mostly to the presence of wealthy government employees/contractors who work in the city but don’t want to live there.