Seattle or New York for career?

Jeff Asked: Seattle or New York for career?

I am currently living in Salt Lake City, having lived here most of my life. I graduated with a Bachelors in International Studies 2 years ago. I've tried to find a job in the field of International Trade, but there's nothing with that industry here. I've sent applications to other West Coast cities, but I have gotten negative replies. It also seems that companies nowadays will only consider local applicants. So I've been more or less stuck.

I have 2 options. 1: I can take my savings and move to Seattle. Just start over there and hope I get an office job and get my career going. It seems like a larger and more international city than Salt Lake, and the economy seems more diverse there. Also, I would not have to go into debt to move there, which brings me to…

Option 2: East Coast (NYC, DC, Boston). I'm also considering taking out student loans so I can get my MBA from a school in one of these cities. The East Coast seems to have a LOT more going on, business-wise, and I think my fluency in German and being multilingual would mean more out there. I also think an MBA would pair well with my bachelors. Of course, this would entail a gigantic amount of student loan debt, but I think it would be worth it, in the long run.

My problem is this. I NEED to get out of my current job in customer service. I've been working there 3 years, and I'm at breaking point. I would get another job, but in Salt Lake, it seems like there are only more customer service call centers. Wouldn't solve anything, would it? I could move to Seattle sooner, but I don't know if I'd be running into the same problem up there as I am here, vis-a-vis dead end jobs. New York definitely seems more international, but would I be able to find the same thing in Seattle?

I would really appreciate any advice on this, especially from people with personal experience. Thanks.

P.S.: Please spare me any snarky comments or chiding remarks. Constructive feedback only.