Yeah, what Karen said. You are not obligated to tell her where you are going. Just make sure your friends there won't let it slip. I know what you are talking about with that though. My sister was trying to get a job and word spread about her so places wouldn't hire her because of what they heard.

And if they are really your friends they would understand and be happy for you. Maybe it will even make some of them rethink things if that place is as bad as it sounds.