As a fifteen year old browsing college options, perhaps the one mistake I did not make was deciding I wanted to move to New Jersey. Growing up in the Midwest (Michigan represent!), most big cities were little more than concepts and movie settings to me. New York seemed important, Boston was a historical college town, DC had politics. Since moving into Princeton last year, access to these places has been one of the most transformative aspects of my decision.
New York’s crowded streets and monumental buildings never fail to impress as a weekend or longer trip. Twice now, I have attended New York Climate Week, an annual September event acting as a convergence of the climate politics world. Beyond professional pursuits, there’s queer history, art museums, cozy local cafes, dazzling fashion, absurd wealth, monumental buildings, and the perennial, deafening roar of the city.
Boston is another wonderful place and I am currently on the train back from a weekend excursion. In high school, I watched “Love Story” set in Cambridge and became enamored with the look and pace of New England. Notable are its dark wood churches, vibrant college life, brick architecture, historical charm, vast Charles River, and of course, the neighboring Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Finally, my one and only true love, Washington DC. Only a three hour train away from campus, DC’s concentration of political and economic capital merge with its vibrant nightlife to create the ideal work hard play hard destination. With endless free museums, governmental conferences, the White House and Capitol Hill, and a robust metro for getting around, DC never disappoints whether you’re attending to hang with friends or join a protest.
Some see Princeton’s suburban New Jersey location as a negative trait, but I’ve learned to view it differently. Living here has kept me close enough to tasting urban life while far enough not to disturb the thoughtful tranquility of our picturesque, gothic campus.