I recommend reading this: http://www.paulgraham.com/cities.html http://www.paulgraham.com/cities.html And then I'll say if you are considering Eureka, CA (or A

I recommend reading this: http://www.paulgraham.com/cities.html http://www.paulgraham.com/cities.html And then I'll say if you are considering Eureka, CA (or Arcata, CA, ten miles away), I will heavily recommend Corvallis, OR instead. I've lived in these places, and the difference in the attitudes I get from people is amazing. Oddly enough, after I moved to Corvallis (from the east coast) is when I read that essay, which led me to reading all his other essays, and to reading Hacker News! Back to topic, most small towns feel stifling to me; you may be fine with what entails but I need some socialization, and what PG says about how cities (and towns) can influence the inhabitants seems to hold true, or at least it seems to hold true for me. Best of luck to OP where ever your travels take you!