I recommed DC.. it's a great place for young professionals, decent nightlife, politically savvy, it has all the components of a great city and only minutes away from the suburbs if the pollution becomes bothersome...

NYC is a great choice

From your 3, I'd probably pick Atlanta first, then NYC, if you can swing it financially. It's just so hard to live in an amazing (yet expensive) city and be BROKE! I'd do San Diego over Santa Barbara.
I HAVE to recommend CHICAGO, because I've always wanted to live here, have been here a year, and love it! But you have to be willing to live in a small place if you want to have money to experience the city.
I'd also definitely consider AUSTIN, TX (love that town!), PORTLAND, PHILLY or BOSTON.

ITA! If you can live swing it, I'd go to NYC as well.

The problem is, these are 3 completely different places. Are you looking to just work and have fun? Do you want to start a family soon? Do you like hot or cold weather? Do you like the craziness of a big city? Personally, I don't think I'd pick any of these places.

Atlanta. I've never been there, but from what I've heard, there are MUCH nicer places in Georgia to live. Savannah, for one. Atlanta is one of those places where people think it's wonderful, but for the most part, it's not. It has nice weather, and a city atmosphere. From living up north my whole life, we kinda see it as the southern city that isn't so southern. When you think of a "southern" city, you think of Houston, Birmingham, etc. Places that are a little more.. "country"? "Hick-ish"? But those really aren't the words I'm looking for. It's hard to explain. But anyway, I know people who have moved there thinking, "it's warm, it's nice, it's busy," and then it becomes everything they hate. Although... you seem to already like it? But are you looking for a complete change? Would it be enough of one if you're already pretty familiar with the surroundings?

NYC. I've been to New York. And I hated it. And I'm a person who loooooves cities. But the people are awful. I don't think I met one nice person while I was there. Myself and a large group of people were almost hit by a police car while walking across the street. Then I was purposely told (in a sneaky way) to drive in a circle by a police officer while asking for directions, I realized this and laughed, so did he, and then he walked away without giving me actual directions. Driving is awful. Crime is through the roof. It's not a pretty city by any means. If you're looking to move to the "big city", there are plenty of other ones in the country to go to.

Santa Barbara. I've never been to CA, but from what I hear, Santa Barbara is extremely nice. Since you're from the area, I would imagine you'd know it better than I would. But if you're looking for a big change (and it sounds like you are), I wouldn't go here. Travel outside of your "comfort zone" and go somewhere new. You always have the option of returning closer to home later on. Maybe I'd move there someday, but it might not be enough of a change for you.

I'd like to do DC at some point; it sounds like my type of city, and everyone I know who's lived there has loved it.

I think people's definition of "nice" really depends on where they grew up. I have heard people say all the time that Boston residents are rude, but in my experience living there, they were perfectly fine. Friends of mine who live in NYC say the same thing about NYC residents. Then again, I grew up in the Northeast and have lived here all my life, so that affects my opinion.

I agree. I LOVE DC. And even if you don't live right in the city, the surrounding areas are gorgeous.

And I grew up in the Boston area, and everyone says that people from Boston are rude, but I think they're the nicest people. I brought my bf there to visit this summer, I asked him his opinion (because I might be slightly biased being from there), and he thought they were all extremely nice, too.

So yea, it might depend. But again... I HATED NYC.

I saw a news article that said Atlanta was voted #1 place "to be" for young singles.

Some of my sorority sisters live in Santa Barbara, they love it. I visited it and like it a lot (well probably b/c I looove California) but i'm not sure i could live in SB.

NYC, it's the capital of the world. I live in Barcelona now, and wouldn't trade it fo anything else, but if I decide to one day, it would be NYC, or back home in Alaska, because it's perfect.

I just moved to Chicago! I find that people are friendly here, but they also swear like sailors on leave, so it amuses me to no end.

Our place isn't that tiny - and we got it for under 1200/month which was a big win. Living here with a roommmate (or boyfriend, in my case) is not that hard, especially if you know where to look. There are a lot of "up and coming" neighborhoods that are really improving.

Plus, if we stay here for a while, there's a chance there will be a summer olympics here (in 2016).

Aside from the PSAs in support of my new home, I understand what you're going through as far as figuring out where you want to live. I just finished grad school (woot woot) and was faced with a similar decision. But, for me, it was "what city can I go to and still work while avoiding DC" plus my boyfriend works at the CME and he and I were ready to not be long distance anymore. He made the decision easier for me just by existing I guess, but I've been looking all over the place, including NYC and Philly, for about 6 months before I finally decided on Chicago.

Did you make your decision yet?