I've found the Northeast to be much better than France, at least those parts which I'm most familiar with. That's especially true for rail which is virtually non existent outside the major intercity lines, but even if you take buses into account. I've gotten to even small towns in the exurbs and beyond by rail and bus in the Northeast. In France I've had to rely on parents and friends with cars or hitchhiking. I don't drive so I tend to be rather aware to this sort of stuff.