Welcome

TheDux

I am looking for a city in the USA that meets the following criteria:-medium to large city with all the conveniences and diversity of a big city (a lot of entertainment, decent night life, hopefully active art and jazz scenes).-Good employment rate.-A lot of natural areas (woods, forests, mountains, etc) surrounding the city. Within an hour or 2 drive, minimally disturbed. This does not mean "city parks" (someone tried to pass that off before).Me and my fiance are looking towards the future and within the next 3-4 years we want to live in a city where she can use her MBA (hopefully gain an additional degree). We also like to hike, camp, and such and the areas around San Antonio, Texas just are not doing it for us. When we go out we really want to escape the city.

chuckles9516245

Charleston WV.Pittsburgh PA

CherylG

Sounds like you should explore the Washington, D. C., metro area. There are so many good schools such as University of Maryland, American University, Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins, Catholic University, George Washington University...all offering post graduate and post doctorate degrees. The job market is still pretty strong, even in these tough times. The city offers everything you've specified in your nightlife requirements including exceptional theater experiences at The Kennedy Center, Warner Theater and the National Theater, small jazz clubs and alternative music venues in addition to world class concerts. In addition, we're less than 2 hours from the pristine wilderness of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Appalachians and the unspoiled open beaches of Delaware. West Virginia, Virginia and Western Maryland all offer the hiking, camping and white water rafting that you are seeking and about an hour further in Pennsylvania you'll find beautiful Lancaster County and the Amish society which resides there. Of course, you cannot ignore the fact that your finger would be on the pulse of the nation here in our Capital City. Go online to Washington Post.com and see what you think.

ocularnervosa

Denver

dllou1

Knoxville Tennessee meets your criteria. Not a huge city, but not small either. Mountainous wilderness very nearby.