Green space is important, not least because I need a place to go running. Walthamstow and Hackney Marshes in North East London are the best place for that in London at least…

As for North American cities – I agree that in principle that cities like the ones you mention could be excellent places to live, but the problem is that I’ve never actually visited any of those and would only realistically have the prospect of visiting Boston of the ones on your list before it’s time to make a choice. I would also add Montréal to the list – it’s a place I could see myself living.

It also sounds like you value green space and a chance to escape the city as well as you value all the benefits a city of London offers.

Not sure why you are against North America, as places like San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto, Denver, Boston would seem to offer what you are looking for (to name a few places): web design clusters; great urban spaces; easy to escape; English speaking; and housing is less expensive than London.

@Marianne – Are you being paid by Manu? But I think I need a city with more everyday, high level politics than that, much as I like Strasbourg as a city.

@Bente – thanks for the very detailed analysis! You do nail the issue about London – it’s a very big pool to work in, and being able to make some demonstrable change will for sure help. The quick visit I have planned to Oslo in April might help a little. And I can deal with cold, and I do know how to ski But sadly I speak next to no Norwegian at the moment.

@Brusselsblogger – hmmm, yes. And to what extent is all of this just a reflection of the locations of the people who read the blog and comment?

But maybe taking some distance and moving, even temporarily outside Europe, could be salvating. What about joining the democrats team of Organizing for America for a few months?

But first – if you want to keep doing what you’re doing, but in another city, you should go to London. I assume you have great opportunities and more than enough contacts to get an interesting and hectic job – even possibilities within party politics, as you say.

If you want change, real change, you should go the US or Scandinavia. As Kattebel, I would recommend DC, fantastic city for a political geek like you. DC is pale compared to NY (culturally), but for someone interested in politics, media and technology, it is vibrant and kicking and powerful. But it takes some time to get under the skin of the city, you have to be patient with DC.

If you want to make a difference, you should go to Oslo. You have a unique techpolitics background, as well as your EU knowledge, which is not often found in this city. I’m convinced you will find an interesting way to use your resources (even though I can’t present a concrete job to you at this point), and I’m also equally convinced you can make an impact within the political/tech environment I’m hanging out in.
Because everything is smaller here, it is possible to start initiatives that will be noticed, in a different way than London.
Oslo is also a city where you can have a life, in addition to work. Oslo is famous for having rush hour at 15, you can run in the woods, go sailing or play cricket (yes, here are several cricket teams) at 1630, and still have plenty of time for a beer at Mono (my favorite bar). Did I mention that Norway is one of the most gender equal countries in the world – that does actually make a difference in how people behave and interact.

Oslo drawbacks:
-If you don’t love skiing, the winter is long and cold. But global warming is helping us out, Ålesund on the west coast will become the new Biarritz!
- Oslo is expensive – as a tourist. But If you live and work here, your salary is higher than in Brussels.
- Language. Only Norwegians speak Norwegian. Everyone speaks some level of English here, but if you really want to understand the society, you need to speak the language…
Not to forget, Norway is not member of the EU (maybe that should be your main focus, to change that fact…)

Okay, I must admit, I’m paid by the tourist office of Oslo to write this.
Anyway, you have a tough choice ahead. But focus on people – who do you want to play ball with in the near future.