City decision (Seattle: crime, neighborhoods, schools)

[crrees]

Hello everyone, this is my first time posting so excuse me if I say something wrong.

I am 22 and just applied to dental schools across the country. My top 3 are UWash, UIllinois Chicago, and NYU. I really want to live in a bustling city that has great night life, culture, and amazing public transportation to get around the city efficiently. Being from Ft. Lauderdale and Ft. Myers florida, the public transportation can be considered the worst in the world. I think farms out west get better public transportation then we do.

Anyway, I have a car thats in premo condition and will be bringing it with me but want it to stay in the parking space for as long as possible (only to use it to go on road trips). I reserved a place at the Cosmopolitan in the downtown area. Will I be able to go outside of my building and walk to whatever i need? Mom/Pops grocery, dentist, medical? Will I be able to WALK to UWash, or take a bus (doesn't matter just curious, either is fine). What types of things will I need to take a bus for? Is cab fare cheap just in case i need it? What is calling a cab like in seattle? As convenient as in manhattan?

Of course all of this is speculation to see what schools i actually get into, but i am planning ahead everywhere. I love the idea of living in manhattan because of the type of city, high rises everywhere, millions of people doing their thing, restaurants and bars open all hours of the night. I am a food junkie and LOVE high quality food, restaurants are a big deal with me, I support every type of cuisine except for pork and enjoy vegan style/vegetarian on occasion. I would figure I could find this in manhattan and seattle but are these places within walking or easy accessible? With these wants in mind, will i be dissapointed in Seattle? Everyone tells me its such a great city. The cost of living there is much less then manhattan as well.

My budgeted cost for living is whatever it needs to be in order to live this lifestyle for approximately 4-7 years.

I REALLY REALLY REALLY appreciate everyones take on this. Ive been saving since I was 15 to live in a major city and enjoy myself in my 20's because I knew thats when i was going to have a blast. I plan on doing these things after studying and during free weekends from school.

[crrees]

actually cosmopolitan in the U-district, not downtown my mistake

[Tony1790]

If a once in a lifetime, big city see the world type experience is what you want, I'm thinking NYU is the way to go. I personally hate NYC, but it is what it is and it's huge and open to what you have described.

Seattle is a nice smaller city, but not in the same league with NYC, and Chicago......not a chance, crime is what I think when I think Chi-town.

Good luck, enjoy your youth, it only comes around once.

Tony

[5chevin5]

NYC is in a league of its own.
Seattle has elements of "big city" with it having to be 24/7....You can do.mmmmm 18/6 if you choose. U DUB (as its called) is a gorgeous campus, with a very interesting and international student body (as would be NYU)...Do you like college sports, and that whole scene?? U DUB I would guess better then NYU.

Since you said you were smart and saved money since you were young to live a "lifestyle"
(good on ya mate!) Why not "splurge" for a cheap plane ticket and go see each place...
Only one way to know for sure....Good investment in happiness.

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[5chevin5]

Sorry...Lack of Coffee edit...
"Seattle has "big city" elements without it having to be 24/7"....

NYC rocks...but it is what it is...and it can be too much for some people that move there with the "glamour" idea that it will be like the sit-com Friends everyday....its not.
Im not saying that is you.... Just a statement.

[crrees]

Thanks for the replies so far

Once I get interviews from the places i applied to I will be visiting each place. I plan on spending 1 week in each place to get a feel. Living in the U-district..what is it like? I love the idea of family owned cafes. I am not the type to shop in cooperate places that have buisness practices that I disagree with (thats why i felt Seattle would be great), and i feel NYU would have this as well.

[5chevin5]

Originally Posted by crrees

Thanks for the replies so far

Once I get interviews from the places i applied to I will be visiting each place. I plan on spending 1 week in each place to get a feel. Living in the U-district..what is it like? I love the idea of family owned cafes. I am not the type to shop in cooperate places that have buisness practices that I disagree with (thats why i felt Seattle would be great), and i feel NYU would have this as well.

U District is a big place with either the gritty 45th Ave urban street...which you may really like, its anti establishment and very locally owned (at least last time I was there) Then down the hill by the stadium-ish is an area called U Village (there is a website) the neighborhoods are all upperscale with decent housing options...again someone may chime in with a more updated view.
And this area (U Dub) surround the lake and lots of parks...its really a beautiful campus with cherry trees and building that are amazing..imo.

Then there is the other side of the freeway which is the areas of Wallingford and Fremont...which I think are very unique very cool and great place to live...again imo. Honestly if you have been saving, and you want to be able to get to the mountains or coast or Canada...easily from school Sea Town is a good choice.

I grew up in NYC ...(Queens, Brooklyn) so...my ideas of NYC may be different then what a college student at NYU will experience.
Im leaving Tokyo next year, coming to Seattle....easy choice for me.

Good Luck
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