Whatever your choice, I recommend minimizing commute time as much as possible, it is a waste of time, money and resources.

Other comments; night life is over rated, but then a car trip every time you run out of eggs can be a bummer.

I think the only thing I'd be asking myself is, "do I want to be in that remote a location?"
Although, the speeding ticket could also be a contributing factor.
How many of those are you willing to risk getting?

Read the blog Askamanager.org. She gives good advice on all things job hunting, job keeping, resumes, cover letters, office politics, office culture, managing and HR. And she's got some really funny stuff. And good luck!

For me, being a bit remote isn't a dealbreaker — I prefer the quiet solitude of a lower-population area — but if that's especially important to you, then you may not be happy no matter how much you enjoy the job itself. I've known a lot of people who really enjoy the work they do, but they eventually quit because they can't deal with the location.

A remote location an hour's drive from a small city sounds perfect to me! I think it'd be best to go for whichever one you think will be more interesting - and just see where it takes you.

I would be a little hesitant about 1 hrs drive from city or town. If this is to be your long term work...you would be too isolated without a partner. Even partners, need more people in their life! For a short time, it might work, but not long term. If you were 25-30 mins from a town, that might work, but you need people around you to interact with on a regular basis. Best of luck.

What ever you take don't move for at least 6 mos. You have to feel them out as well as they do you and I mean by that time if its good or going good you can scope out different digs and not have to take something because its close or the only one. Figure in your personal happiness and don't let them tell you how to live.

I would have to say that this is one of those instances where you're going to have to rely on your feelings. No amount of logic and reasoning is going to make you comfortable with a job unless you feel a great passion for it deep inside. Ask your self which position is going to make you feel the passionate, the most fulfilled. But one must also realize that every job isn't always what it's portrayed as being. After 6 months or so you may decide that it isn't what you expected. Follow your heart. That's probably your best chance at happiness.

Balance, metro areas are nice, but traffic can be a nightmare and rather expensive to live. Remote areas have a lot more to offer than they used to. I would check it out thoroughly, you may be surprised

Brainstorm a long list of pros and cons for each one.. Write it down and put it in a drawer overnight. Look at it again and make additions. Weight each point and go from there. Good luck with either one

I like Randle, WA - if it's more in your field that's what I'd opt for and give it a try. Maybe you can take weekly trips into the larger (still small) towns for entertainment, shopping, socialization.

Might be a fun experience. I think it's easier to get to know people more fully in a small town atmosphere than in a more metro area.

Let me see, pro's: you are a biologist and you get to do actual field studies, on your profile you enjoy outdoor activity something you are going to get paid to enjoy, living where there is no rat race, you get to explore a whole new area of restruants and bars if you are into those.
Con's: I don't know you well enough to know those.
Ask yourself how necessary it is to have those conveniances and connections you have where you live and whether moving to a new location for this job is worth the lose of them.

Sometimes don’t you wish you could “let go and let god?” It would be so much easier to pretend someone else was in control. Sigh, sadly some of us are familiar with reality.

I live 1.5 hours away from the city and run a livestock farm. I used to drive to work on a daily basis and finally had to give it up. I was a temp, so no benefits and when they took away the free parking for temps I had to leave. They didnt understand that paying $8 a day for gas and another $8 for parking plus taxes meant I was spending 13 hours a day with drive time for what amounted to $35 after expenses. I get you won't be driving that far to work but if you want to socialize or go shopping it gets tedious making such a long drive. Tedious AND expensive.

When it comes to promotions , remember , " Out of sight , out of mind . "

I am divorced partly (mostly?) because of the remote area we lived at. I HATED every second of it. My ex loved (still loves) it. There was no compromise, so I am in the city (small city) and he is still out in the sticks with turkeys. So, you can guess MY answer, but maybe you like turkeys more than I. lol

Sounds to me that you would prefer the position near the major metropolitan area.

Scarecrows get positions in there fields.

From the way you worded your post, I assume isolated locations don't appeal to you. If so, no reason to court early burn out and take a position you know you can't sustain. But if you want the first position for other reasons, maybe your employer would let you work from home, if that's feasible.

I would base my decision on where I wanted to live. A job is a job but if you don't like where you are now why not make the move?