Location Advice

I don't know anything about neurosurgery programs but I can help with some of the cities...

Boston, MA (Harvard programs?)
Definitely expensive to live but the area is great...so close to beaches, lots of seafood, surburbs are quaint...my husband grew up about 30 miles west of Boston. My best friend's fiance just started at The Brigham and is working like a dog....I except other departments are the same way and from what I understand it's very hard to get a spot at Mass General.

New York, NY (Columbia/Cornell programs)
I grew up in New York...I'd only consider it if the programs offer housing or if you have lots of money to burn. The greatest city in the world, so much fun but also so exhausting. My husband interviewed at both places for fellowship and found some of the doctors on the dry side, but each department is different.

Chicago, IL (Northwestern)
My husband went to med school at Northwestern...we love Chicago...the hospital is super nice but the patient population is generally rich and white so there isn't that much diversity of cases. After coming from New York living in Chicago was cheap but I've heard from friends who live there now that prices have increased. You wouldn't live by the hospital as that is the most expensive area in Chicago (Streeterville - where Oprah lives!) but there are many nice neighborhoods nearby. They have family housing though so maybe you could get hooked up with that and live in an apartment with a beautiful lake view!

Baltimore, MD (John Hopkins)
Baltimore can be a rough city but housing is inexpensive...city has a lot of character and reputation of hospital is high...there are a few good museums and lots of good restaurants.

Good luck! Let us know how things are going.

[DCJenn]

Well, since no one has spoken up for Pittsburgh, let me chime in!

It's a great city- it had almost totally turned itself around from the days of the steel industry. Now there is a vibrant cultural life- the Andy Warhol museum is there which is worth a look if you guys go for an interview.

The people are generally down to earth and the housing prices are great, at least compared to other East Coast cities the same size. The public trnasportation system is exclusively buses but they are efficient and it's an extensive system. The hospital has an excellent reputation. My husband considered it if he had to go the civilian route for fellowship. The peds programs are amazing.

Of course the town is sports crazy between the Steelers, Pirates, Penguins and the Pitt Panthers. My husband, dad, brother, uncle and cousin go up every summer for three straight days of baseball. My grandmother still lives there so they stay with her.

Much like Baltimore, Cleveland, Boston, etc., there are distinct neighborhoods with distinct cultures. My family members have always said that anyone of us would move back if we could find jobs. (of course, no one has done any real looking for a while!) My parents are still in touch with friends they made at Pitt- 40 years ago!

As for Hopkins- one of our friends interviewed there for psych and found the program to be well, very snobby and everyone was very impressed with themselves. He ended up going to Colorado and is very happy with the program there and the attitudes are significantly better!!

Jenn

Am I remembering correctly that your husband wants to do neurosurgery? I'm sure he has been advised to avoid the Colorado program (serious problems w/ former chair and program is on probation). Anyway, I don't know what will happen but if the former chair leaves, I would avoid any program he moves to.

[SuzySunshine]

My husband is doing neurosurgery and as much as I would LOVE to go back to Denver (lived there for 14 months) the program just isn't up to par and he knows that!

Thanks!