Choosing a program?

[jules162]

I know that this is a personal decision, but I thought it might help to get some advice.

I live in Boston (grew up north of the city, did undergrad in connecticut, and now live in the city and work at a shelter) and applied to 4 schools: Simmons, BC, Columbia, and Fordham. I want to do the clinical track. I was accepted to the two boston schools and had to give them an answer over a week ago. I chose Simmons because they offered me a $20,000 scholarship and because they have an extra day of field work, and because they are all clinical.

I'm still waiting to hear from the NY schools. I have always kind of fantasized about moving to NYC (short term, not long term) and experiencing everything the city has to offer, putting myself outside of my comfort zone, etc. The two schools I applied to don't necessarily seem like a better fit than Simmons, and I doubt they will offer me as much money (although, money is not the top determining factor for me in choosing where to go). I also want to do well in grad school, and I'm an easily stressed person and wonder if moving to an intense city like new york while simultaneously starting grad school is a recipe for disaster. My boyfriend said if I chose to go to ny he would come with me, but that won't necessarily be easy, as he would need to find a job and make ends meet as he struggles to pay off his monstrous loans.

Simmons feels like the best fit, but I can't help wondering if I would be giving something up by not going to New York. Of course, I can always move to a new city after I get my Masters. Saving money might be the smartest thing to do, if I have trouble being a social worker and paying my bills down the line or choose to go back to school for a ph.d. In the meantime, i'm not sure how to cure my restlessness. I'm young and should be taking risks because you only live once, but I still want to be reasonable. Any thoughts?