<p>We are from NY and originally I wanted S to apply to Yale. He wouldn’t even consider it. So we weren’t in your situation but I can say this, S thinks the West Coast is the Best Coast. I have to laugh when he says that being a NYer my whole life but I think it comes down to your kids personality. We have been to Yale many times, and its certainly beautiful but the atmosphere is very different. Its definitely more of an East coast place. Not as laid back as Stanford. I think its a bit more competitve and perhaps not as collaborative. But then again that depends who your D’s circle of friends. One thing is sure Yale is not the best neighborhood. If crime is a factor then I would think about that. Its not to say that bad things don’t happen in Palo Alto but as a whole Yale’s neighborhood is not as nice.</p>