Alright, so this July I am moving out of Michigan. The purpose is mainly for going to school but I am also sick of absolutely nothing to do in Michigan, it's just a terrible place here haha. I've been fairly set on Boston due to it's expansive music scene and good schools. However, I have always wanted to go to Cali, places I've been looking for rooms (planning on finding a room for rent on craigslist) in Cali are Santa Cruz, San Diego, SF Bay Area. Living in an extremely safe place where nothing ever goes down I feel a little bit leery about moving to a bigger city where stuff does go down regularly, however I feel like it's more just bad spots that I can steer clear of. I'll be planning on bringing my car unless it's in San Fran or some place where a car would be more a burden than convenience. Just wondering what everyone thought or any tips people could give me.

This is a major decison and could influence your outlook of how to live for many years to come. Personally, I'm not a fan of Boston. Some people love it, but I think you need to be (1. A tough-skinned Son of Ireland (2. Fully weatherzied (3. Driving school mascochist to want to live there. But if you do choose Boston, you'll forever be able to wear the mantle of "If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere" (New Yorkers need not chastise me, thanks). Since you're probably young this may be the time to give this a shot. I've lived on both coasts and I wound up coming back to California. Just a little easier as far as weather and lifestyles go, for me. But then again, I'm not 18. Maybe you should go to Boston and take your chops at this point. If you get into a good California school in the Bay Area (you know the ones) I say go for it. But if you get into one of the good Boston schools (you know the ones) I'd suggest you take advantage of that over San Diego or Santa Cruz ... which I think will offer you less educationally.

The cost of living is steep in both places you've chosen. That alone would force me to look elsewhere. Have you considered the Southeast? there's a much more reasonable cost-of-living, a moderate climate and many good schools.

Yep, cost of living is a big factor. You could find places just outside the cities for a decent price, but you'll also have to look at the commute. I lived on-campus in Boston for college and it was pretty good. Lots of things to do but now I'm glad I'm out of the city. Driving anywhere is a complete pain in the ass, especially when it snows.

I dream of living on the west cost, especially in the bay area. I have no desire to live in Boston, I'd rather stay in the Chicago area.

Go west

I've never lived on the left coast... but San Francisco is absolutely fantastic - I visit friends there pretty frequently. Boston is nice and the corridor from Boston to DC is great for long weekends etc. San Diego is also very nice (cannot think of a better place climate wise), but I just don't find it too exciting... Take a trip and check them out - Good Luck!

I love the Boston area, I've been living here in Cambridge for 10+ years... however, from your post you sound like you'd be happier in a more suburban area (safety concerns, wanting to bring a car, etc.) in which case you might be more of a California guy.

San Francisco is a fantastic place to live if you want the "big city" feel and a great music scene without the bad weather and intimidation factor of an east coast city. It's the only place I'd personally consider living in California (but then, I'm a city girl at heart and don't want to own a car). You can still make very good use of a car in SF if you want to bring it - there are a ton of good day trips to make there.

Re: Boston, we do have some of the world's best schools here, and there is a huge student scene, so that is a big plus. And safety is really not that much of a concern if you stay out of the wrong neighborhoods and don't put yourself in stupid situations. Students tend to live in certain neighborhoods near their schools and those places are generally safe.

i'm pretty sure i'll be able to swing the cost of living (not trying to sound arrogant). Basically my priorities may be kinda messed up but the top things i'm lookin' for in a place to live are

The Music Scene - In michigan, at least on the west side, there is NO good music that comes through.

Record Stores - Either one of my choices have these in abundance.

Schools - My plan is to hit up a community college to get my gen ed done so I don't think getting accepted is going to be an issue at either.

People - From what I've heard across the board is that people from Boston are generally very cold at first "until you get to know them", I'm fine with this really. However, I'm a really laid back and chill guy so I feel i might "fit in" better in Cali.

Weather - This one I'm thinking definitely Cali wins hands down. I'm a full weathered person coming from Michigan where feet of snow isn't out of the question.

All in all, living in West Michigan I feel is a total drag for a young person and I want to go somewhere with lots to do, see and experience. I WANT TO LIVE! haha

and as for the vehicle, if I really wouldn't NEED it, I really wouldn't want to bring it. I'm very much down with not owning a car. I have a puch moped I'd be more than willing to make my only needed method of self transportation.

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San Fransisco, don't look back

My 2 cents. Chances are good you can/will spend your Jr. College and College years in different places. Great chance to learn new vistas. My opinion is there are many cities like Boston; same rough size, weather, social amenities, etc. There is nothing like Santa Cruz. And for better and worse, there's not many places like California. From the general SF area, you can be in the mountains, the country, the desert, the beach, all within an hour or two. Also, as Fatcat says, you might want to try the South. Charlotte, NC and many other southern cities have what you want.
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MAC or PC. Same argument, if you like to be bored with nice weather, go to left coast. And jobs wise, i would be very worried about CA right now. I like art, music, and culture a lot, so for me it would be SF or Boston, and to be honest, the weather in SF ain't great either (didn't Mark Twain once say that the worst winter he had was a summer in San Francisco?). But you are young, go all over the place, but decide what really interests you and will give you joy and go for it. I feel either place may be to your liking, but let me tell you the "friendliness" of Californians and the "coldness" of Bostonians are both overblown stereotypes, and after living in both places, I found people in SoCal friendly but so superficial that I had to leave. And the stereotype of Bostonians stated earlier is so old and passe that it sounds like they got it from watching too much Good Will Hunting.

to OP, I hear you - MI sucks. I am moving my family to NYC later this year to get away from this third tier state in decline.

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i figured this would be true, and then the superficialness of Cali as you say is something I've considered too, something I think I would hate and could drive me mad lol.

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it's funny to see someone from ann arbor say MI sucks even, if ann arbor even sucks this whole state's lost and can join the ranks of equally interesting states like Idaho... Last year I was planning on moving to ann arbor because it seemed like the one cool spot in Michigan...

N to the YC, baby.