Where should I go after college?

[orlondo100]

So looks like I will be getting a Political Science degree for my undergrad. I hope to pursue a career in law. I hope for law school but I'm not totally sold in a career as a lawyer yet. Anyway, I've grown up in the Northeast US and Mid Atlantic US my whole life. I do love it here but it has many downfalls:
-Houses/ taxes/ cost of living are very high
-Winter can feel like it goes on forever
-Very competitive in terms of getting jobs, cutthroat
But the upside:
-all my family is within an 8 hour drive
-the northeast has many businesses
-high population- good need for lawyers
-many cities all relatively close- Philly, Boston, New York, Pittsburgh, Hartford

Here's a little about me if it helps:
-I am an Independent, though more conservative
-I love the outdoors, cars, music, history, travel, etc.
-I love foreign foods- Chinese, Japanese, Italian, etc. also good ol' American food
-I want somewhere safe with good opportunities
-I'm single but that could always change
-I don't mind the cold but Winter does get annoying

Outside the Northeast, I love the Southwest from my own experiences and Washington state/ Alaska seem great but never been
So my question is, should I try to pursue a career/ life close to home and stay in the familiar or branch out and move somewhere else in the country on my own?