Reasonable Doubt: Throwing Darts at a Map Might Be More Effective

While it seems that law school just released us for the summer, it's already time to start thinking about next summer.  Interviews for firms start in a couple of weeks, and we're already asked to think about where we want to work next year.  And where you work next year is usually where you work after law school.  And where you work after law school is usually where you stay for another five years or decade or rest of your life or so.  No pressure.

Firms from all over the country descend upon the school to try to woo the best students to come slave under their watch.  The firms are all but interchangeable (I've heard), so right now, the only thing there is to do is to choose a city.

New York
In the interest of full disclosure, this city never stood a chance with me.  I hate the idea of New York City.  It doesn't seem like anything is worth the hassle that comes with living there, but people love it.  I don't want to rent a 400-square foot apartment in Manhattan when I could buy a 4000-square foot house in the suburbs for the same price.  I don't want to deal with 8 million rude people at once.  The things that draw other people to the city -- theater, television, fashion, expensive nightlife -- are of no use to me.  If I went at all, I would be going for the money.  New York jobs pay more.  I think it's because they have to, otherwise no one would ever go there.

It is a fun place to visit, but shoot me in the face if I live there.  Oh wait, that's actually pretty likely to happen if I live there.  No thanks.

Washington, D.C.
Now we're talking.  Although working in D.C. next summer and beyond wouldn't really count as travel, it would be familiar.  I like this city a lot.  I like the hotdog stands, and eat a half-smoke every week (used to be almost daily, God I'm gross).  I like the metro.  Would you rather try to make sense out of this or this?  Thought so.  I like the street layout because you always know where you are.   I like free museums and cheap cab rides.  You can go from just about anywhere in NW to anywhere else in NW for $13 for a cab of 4, four bucks a person after a tip (Am I undertipping?  Someone let me know).  That's what it costs someone to take the metro from Rockville to Farragut North.  I'm excited for the new Nationals stadium, and the possibility that they might be better than awful one day. 

I live here now.  Do I want to live here forever?  It's hard to say.  I only spend my time in one quarter of the city.

Chicago
I went to college in the Midwest, and a lot of my friends either came from the Chicago suburbs (but if you ask any of them where they're from they'll all say Chicago, even if they're from Des Plaines, Naperville, or even Champaign), or went there to work.  I've been a couple times, and I have got to give the Second City two big thumbs up.  Chicago had this indescribable feel to it.  I feel like I would fit in there.  I feel like it's a city where a guy like me can really thrive.  It's a great sports city.  Between the Cubs, Sox, Bears, and Bulls, there's a lot to love right there (Maybe not the Cubs.  Bad example).  Something about the heat in the summer and the cold in the winter makes people a little crazy, and I kinda dig that. 

The Windy City would be fine by me.

Hoboken, NJ
If this were an MTV dating show, Hoboken would be the guy that got off the bus, and the girl took one look at him and screamed "Next!"  And the guy would have really spikey hair, lots of jewelry, and a too-tight shirt.

San Diego
Must... not... quote... Anchorman.  Oh, forget it.  I'm not even mad at this city.  I'm impressed.  I visited it this spring, and while I was only there for a day, I think I liked it.  Lord knows if I really want to move there, but I like warm weather and I like beautiful girls, and I like the powder blue uniforms, so San Diego has as good a shot as any.

Verdict:
I still have no idea.  Maybe I should list things I'm looking for and you can make my decision for me.

• A professional baseball team
• A professional football team (Arena league need not apply)
• A real downtown area
• A real corporate legal market
• No killer bees

That's about it.  Discuss.

D.C.  writes "Reasonable Doubt" for The Bathtub on Tuesday mornings.  You can e-mail him at dc.bathtub@gmail.com.

Comments

[Lauren]

I agree with your assessment that DC is sweet but sometimes people feel the need to leave here, in which case Chicago is a rad choice. I love Chicago. The only city I can think of that you left out that has a downtown feel and a sporty quality to it is Boston. Although it's definitely one of those love-it-or-hate-it places, so maybe you didn't mention it because you hate it.

Also, if you're planning a visit to Boston, remember that I highly recommend stopping by that last rest stop on the Garden State turnpike.

[Lauren]

Oh and I believe The Practice was set in Boston, so the legal market there must be kickin' because that show was DA BOMBBBBB

[Caitlar]

I think the thing that is slightly off about DC (although I do love living here), is that most people are not from here. So the loyalty or togetherness that you get in other cities does not always exist here. I mean, I've encountered more Eagles fans here than Redskins.

[D.C.]

I think Boston is a fine suggestion, and will add it to the list.

Caitlar, the only reason you've encountered more Eagles fans is because no other team's fanbase feels the need to prove they can spell a 6-letter word.

[Caitlar]

J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets?

Okay fine, that's 4 letters.

[Inactive account]

The New York City subway has a charm all its own and it actually gets you (almost) everywhere. http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?40457

[NY lawyer]

If you're looking for a "real" corporate legal market, D.C., I'm afraid you'll be disappointed by the nation's capital, which is filled with regulatory attorneys and appellate litigators. For corporate work, D.C.'s a quaint little hamlet. I know you that's not your only criterion, but just a heads up.

[CA enthusiast]

I would like to point out that San Francisco is an excellent choice. All the teams, a huge legal market, and cheaper-than-nyc prices.

[Inactive account]

I though the real estate in SF was insanely expensive?

[The Mayor]

Are there legal firms west of the Mississippi?

[D.C.]

No, it's still martial law in the wild west.

[justin]

dude-

wilmington delaware.

it boasts an above-average parks system. also, it's not as anti-semitic as it seems at first glance.