Problems deciding between big and small town schools

[Buscro]

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So I currently have an acceptance to two D.O. schools, ATSU in Kirksville (small town) and Marian-U in Indianapolis (reasonably big). My wife and I have laid out what we see as the pros and cons to each school, scored them (as much as you can reasonably do that), and came out to a dead heat. I'm hoping to get some informed perspectives to help give me more clarity. We have a 4 year old son now and figure he'll start grade school my second year. Both my wife and I have lived rurally and in large'ish cities, and we're not partial to either.

Kirksville seems a little better in terms of our family's comfort, at least while we're in medical school. There's also the chance we'd have to move for my clinical years if there aren't enough spots there in Kirksville. It then seems a reasonable certainty we will have to move again for my residency, at which point we'll have to start building life all, to some extent, over again. Neither my wife or I are extroverts, so building a new network will sting a bit. It also has the established program, but a more traditional curriculum. If school prestige factors into anything, it seems this would carry some weight in the D.O. realm. From what I understand, Kirksville also have a good school district out there. But I hate the idea of moving my kid from place to place - I hated it myself as a young child. My wife would likely not work, and we would expect to live frugally, so we don't worry too much about not having much to do inside a city. We're simple in what we do for fun.

Indy, while a newer school, has a curriculum that I feel I will learn better with. There's greater potential for being able to do all four years plus residency within Indy (unless somebody thinks that's unlikely?) if we really get established, which I imagine would make it all the more easier to find a job there. Plus, I understand there's a great medical climate in Indiana. Not to mention the schools facilities are newer, which usually matters to me because I'm a technology geek. But it would be harder for us to get by without my wife working. As well, the school districts I guess are mostly good out there, but the better ones are likely in suburbs I won't be able to afford living in.

Does anybody have any advice or can better inform/debunk some of my concerns?

 

[DocWinter]

Its seems like you prefer the idea of Indiana. I'm in a smaller town, and it's totally fine for me, as med school takes away doing anything outside school anyway. My spouse enjoys the change from a big city where we came from, and I'm very glad to be in a more rural location. It can be harder on a family though if your spouse will be working for work, and yes, schooling for your child. Marian seems to have it together and I wouldn't hold their newness as too strong a negative.

 

[Buscro]

Its seems like you prefer the idea of Indiana. I'm in a smaller town, and it's totally fine for me, as med school takes away doing anything outside school anyway. My spouse enjoys the change from a big city where we came from, and I'm very glad to be in a more rural location. It can be harder on a family though if your spouse will be working for work, and yes, schooling for your child. Marian seems to have it together and I wouldn't hold their newness as too strong a negative.

I'm just fine with the idea of a small town. Honestly, I think I'd love it. I guess it's more just the idea that we'd likely have to move from that small town, even if we like it, that bothers me. I like the idea of putting roots down in a small town. But I guess I don't know how to plan around how much I'll have to move for the various stages going from school to residency to job. I don't know what/where to read to educate myself on that either.