D.C. or Baltimore Relocation for single girl ?
 

Long time lurker here. You fodorites give great advice and I need some stat !
Im 30 years old and a single female.
I spent the last 10 years in NYC.
Loved it but needed a change.
Almost moved to Silver Spring, Maryland late last year.
But instead my dear 96 yr old grandmother in my hometown burb of Philadelphia broke her back so I opted to move home & take care of her for a while.
She's doing great now and I have to say I want to run screaming away from Philadelphia.
I've tried to enjoy it, but keep having bad experiences. Attempted mugging, crazy drivers & just very rude people. I was in NYC for a decade and never had a bad time.
I know D.C. & Baltimore both have crime too but I am more interested in giving one of them a try.
I just can't figure out which would be better 'fit' for me.
I'm a website marketer/designer and can pretty much work anywhere.
I really enjoy good shopping and a good nightlife nearby.
For now with the housing market in flux I will be renting. I have 200k in the bank, no debts & 2000-2700 to spend a month on rent.
Should I live in D.C. proper, Silver Spring, MD or Baltimore ? Are there any good upscale towns equally distanced between D.C. & Baltimore ?
I have friends in both cities but am getting conflicting info.
Any advice very much appreciated.

Why Silver Spring? It's a nice enough place, but not upscale in the least. The fact you picked that makes me wonder whether you may be more content in Baltimore.

You money is going to go much further in Baltimore than it does in DC, but DC is a more sophisticated city. Baltimore has a gritty feel to it--a lot like Philadelphia--but there's also plenty to do.

2 friends live there in S.S. and liked how close it is to D.C.
I like Baltimore but am wondering if it's too 'gritty'
People keep telling me to live in Adams Morgan or Dupont Circle in D.C.

After having lived in Baltimore as a 20-something web producer, D.C. Baltimore has a lot of character and some cute neighborhoods, but it can't compare to the cosmopolitan feeling of D.C.

Don't forget Northern Virginia. Arlington & Alexandria both have good restaurant & bar scenes but provide easy access to DC when the mood strikes. I like Baltimore, but it can't compare to the DC area for variety of nightlife, food & other things to do.

I think I am biased...but my vote would be for DC or a suburb (no more than 15 or 20 minutes outside the city)...as other posters have noted, Baltimore is gritty and I would imagine similar to Philadelphia in the ways you dislike.

Adams Morgan or Dupont Circle would be great. However, as mentioned, those neighborhoods will cost you twice per month than any place in Baltimore. With $2000-$2700, you can get a 1 BR (!!) in Dupont or Adams Morgan (not just a studio). Is it worth it? Obviously it is to many - the old supply and demand thing. The coolest places to live always cost more...

If you are looking for a place in between I would recommend Annapolis, MD. It has a great feel to it and has lots of places to bar hop, good shopping and some interesting history. If you live in downtown Annapolis you would be in walking to distance to everythiing. You can find a great place in your price range.

The problem with moving somewhere in between Balto & DC is where you settle is where you will spend most of your time.

jiffer111's recommendation of Annapolis would be a great fit. A great place to live, and 1/2 hour or so to either Balto or DC. ((b))

But Annapolis is not place for a single person. It's a great place for retirees or empty nesters, but not people who want to be around other young single people.

Lots of young people are moving to downtown Balto. Neighborhoods like Fells Point and Canton offer a lot.

Awwwww, 30 is the new 20. Says the 36 year old. ;)

If you want to experience the flavor of Baltimore, watch some John Waters films. "Pecker" and "Cecil B. Demented" would be good choices. I heard (word of mouth, so I can't quote) that John Waters said that the difference between b'more and ny is that new yorkers all think they're crazy when they're all really quite sane - while balmer folks think actually think they're sane when they're really quite crazy.

It's a town of neighborhoods I've grown fond of in my 20 years here. But it isn't for everyone (what city is?) and if you didn't like Philly, DC might be a better choice. DC is hipper while b'more is hippier.

A vote for D.C. or suburb with 15 to 20 minutes traveling time, ideally near metro line. I would love to live some where that a car is not required.

Baltimore is a funny and quirky place, but the people here are much nicer than those in Philadelphia. Great shopping - how about pretty good shopping? There are nice small independent boutiques with cool clothes like they have at Olive and Bette's (for example). There are a lot of great restaurants. There are safe areas to live in the city such as Canton, Fells Point and Federal Hill (as safe as any city can be), wonderful suburbs within 15 minutes of downtown. You have to go to DC area for great dept stores like Neiman's or Bloomie's.
I hated living in Philadelphia, found people there thinking they were as sophisticated as NYC'ers when reality was they couldn't hold a candle to a real NYC'er.
My advice would be to come spend a few days in the neighborhoods you would consider of both cities, and at least get a feel for the areas.
Silver Spring however would not be my pick, go with the other DC suggestions.
Good luck!

I'd poke around NW Washington to find an area that suits your tastes -- there's a wide variety but the stretches along Connecticut and Wisconsin both have a spectrum of apartment options in your range and many are convenient to public transport.

DT Silver Spring is rapidly improving and the area has always had some fabulous 'hoods for families and a quick commute to DT DC -- but at 30 and single, I'd look into the city itself.

You're much more likely to get work in your field in Washington, the bureaucrat/paper capital of the world. There's probably 1001 associations who could use your services in Washington/Alexandria/Arlington. Almost all decent associations have elaborate web pages these days.

DC, however, is a much more expensive place to live than Baltimore. Commuting into DC is not fun. I do know of one ex-client(woman, 35, liberal, works for a DC consumerist group) whose wealthy father bought her a town home in Federal Hill, one of Baltimore's most exclusive neighborhoods. She commutes by taking a state of Maryland train to Union Station, where she hops on the subway to her work in downtown DC. Not for everyone, for sure, but an option.

Baltimore is not nearly as diverse as Washington, the capital of a powerful nation of 300 million people. Yet Baltimore is not the gritty industrial town it was when Johnny Unitas was flinging the football for the Colts way back when. For instance, it boasts the finest hospital on the globe, Johns Hopkins. Not only is Johns Hopkins its own little city, it saved my heart-diseased oldest son's life on three occasions. Furthermore, Baltimore's neighborhoods historically were more ethnically flavored- Germans, Greeks, Polish, Lithuanians, Italians, Jewish- than Washington's (John F. Kennedy famously called DC a town of Northern Charm and Southern Efficiency). Although the ethnic neighborhoods have experienced suburban flight for three generations, Baltimore has more of a European ethnic feel than DC.

And for a good time in Baltimore, I would recommend Fells Point, which has about thirty bars within a two hundred yard radius.

Wow so happy I posed my quandry here.
Lotsa food for thought.

See I have friends in both D.C. & Bmore.
My friends in Bmore are my loveable loony friends (refugees from East Village NYC - artistes & leftie creatives)
While my pals in D.C. are sophisticated workaholics.
Im a combo of both. (I gues Im a complicated girl LOL)
I'm wondering if Bethesda might be a good choice for me.
My uncle who lives in Gerogetown says I wouldn't find Silver Spring to my upscale liking, but would enjoy Bethesda.
Any insights ?

Author: Edye
Date: 03/16/2007, 12:05 pm
...............
I hated living in Philadelphia, found people there thinking they were as sophisticated as NYC'ers when reality was they couldn't hold a candle to a real NYC'er.>>>>>>

And that's another problem with Philly,
I have a fierce fondness for NYC.
Former WTC worker (left months before 9/11 but lost friends) so I have a deep and abiding affection for NYC.
Any time I mentioned any love for NY people in Philly would pounce on me. Provincial mindset. ARGH.

Author: GeorgeW
Date: 03/16/2007, 01:07 pm
...........
For instance, it boasts the finest hospital on the globe, Johns Hopkins. Not only is Johns Hopkins its own little city, it saved my heart-diseased oldest son's life on three occasions.

....................


And for a good time in Baltimore, I would recommend Fells Point, which has about thirty bars within a two hundred yard radius.
>>>>>>>>

Yes John Hopkins can't be beat.

Fells is super fun according to my wilder friends.
But I'm a girl and not a boy so I only need a bar hop every few months.
;-)

Silverfig...if I was forced to live in Maryland, I would probably choose Bethesda.

However, have you considered Arlington, Clarendon, Ballston, or Courthouse (similar geographic locations) in Virginia? From things you have said, I think you would really like these areas (young crowd, some unique restaurants, fun bars, good shopping, extremely Metro friendly etc.).

P.S. Better yet, crash at your uncle's in Georgetown! ;)

Bethesda is a good option! And it's closer to the Beltway (than Georgetown) if you need to come visit Baltimore.

I could only recommend Baltimore if that's what your finances required. But you have enough money to spend on rent (don't buy a condo in this area any time soon - market may drop further) to live in D.C. in a fun neighborhood.

I would not, as a single woman, live in Baltimore. I have lived in Baltimore, and I wouldn't do it willfullly again, esp. if I were living there by myself and I needed to live in the city proper.

Ok all you Baltimore bashers. I haved lived in Baltimore 20 years (since coming here for college and have not wanted to leave) I'm only sad that I'm not in the city anymore (that's what kids do to you) I have many friends in DC and many friends who have moved from DC to Baltimore (yes, some single and/or without kids). If you haven't been here in the past few years, it has really changed. There are some great waterfront areas. Fells Point is fun with many hip, trendy bars and restaurants as well as some of the old classics. Canton has developed into it's own little town on the water and Federal Hill/locust point is on the top of the list with incredible growth revamping and a trendy spa, restaurant or boutique everywhere you go. My friend who have moved from DC say that it is a bit slower pace, but people are friendly and it's a fun diverse place. There are so many different little pockets each with their own character. Don't get me wrong...I love DC (I worked there and commuted for several years, so I know it fairly well too), but I also feel the need to escape when I'm in DC for too long. I think you really need to come to both for a few days and go to the different areas within each city. Baltimore will be much more affordable. You could live in the best of Baltimore vs ok in DC. Give them a try. I don't think you would be terribly unhappy in either place. I think it's fantastic that you are so motivated and confident to just pick up and move alone. I need that kind of confidence working with me!!!

I'll be in D.C. for biz trip in May, so am going to check out Adams Morgan/Dupont Circle (my hotel will be there), Bethesda, Old Towne Alexandria and make side trip to Baltimore.
Also are Columbia Heights & Petworth too sketchy ?
Plus a friend from Gaithersburg touted that as possible and also Columbia, MD.
If anyone could add insight into any of those locales before my trip, I'd appreciate it !

I would add Logan Circle and especially Penn Quarter to your list of neighborhoods to visit in DC proper.

I have a friend who lives in Gaithersburg and likes it. You can get a lot for your money there but you're living in the burbs.

I've lived in DC for quite a few years by now (transplant from California, but originally Midwest), and I really think you would prefer DC. I'm using that term broadly, because I don't think you can tell that well which are you'd like to live in so much until you are here a while. I have friends in Baltimore and in-between (there is no place in-between that would suit your criteria IMO).

Baltimore is more a regular, working class town, and some people I know like that in comparison to DC, much more cosmopolitan and up-scale, as you put it -- but people who move to Baltimore from DC usually do it when they've been here a while and are maybe older. Yes, there are bars in Baltimore if that's your thing, but DC is more the center of many computer and technology jobs, also.

If I could afford it, I'd live in DC proper and think they can be a good choice for a newcomer until they decide about other areas or what is important to them. I don't find Bethesda nearly as interesting as DC, it's mainly a place with a zillion restaurants and where people go out to eat. It is up-scale, if that's important to you, and thus very expensive. Silver Spring has its assets and has really improved, but it's still no place I'd recommend to you except as a matter of economy, which is why most people I know live there rather than DC proper. Neither Bethesda nor Silver Spring really have the feeling of living in a real city, like DC would. Silver Spring has more to do now than before, but isn't really any great place to go out at night.

I can't imagine why you'd move to Petworth, and Columbia Hts is too sketchy for me. YOu just have picked a lot of contradictory factors with the shopping/upscale desire, and then thinking of Petworth or Col Hts.

I have a friend in Columbia and that is in-between, but it's still an area that is more for families who want cheaper places to live than some urban mecca for young people, as far as I'm concerned. It doesn't have any outstanding nightlife that I've ever noticed, but is good for shopping if you like malls and chain box stores. Does your friend who recommend this think Gaithersburg is some hot spot? If so, that might explain it as I'd probably judge them similar in many ways. I can't imagine recommending a young single person who didn't know the area move there if they could afford somewhere else.

You do not want to be in Columbia, MD. It's family land in the burbs. Sure there are some bars, but nothing like the nightlife or culture in downtown Baltimore or DC. Good Luck.

Hi silverfig:

Agree with the majority -- I'd choose DC over B-more. I currently live in B-more and used to live in the (far) southern MD suburbs of DC, and so I guess I have a perhaps unique insight for you.

The others are right -- strictly in terms of housing costs, B-more wins hands-down. I currently live in the Mt. Vernon section of B-more and am looking for a condo rental in the Silver Spring/Colesville area and am undergoing quite a sticker shock! But, you seem to have plenty of $$ to spend on rentals, and you can get a pretty nice place pretty much anywhere in DC -- even in Dupont -- for that kind of money.

Is Baltimore improving? I guess. But it still has a very long way to go. The city is plagued with a succession of corrupt/incompetent mayors who funnel all of the tax dollars to either the failing public schools or the Inner Harbor area in order to keep the tourist $$ coming in. The roads are a crumbling mess -- the traffic lights outside of the Inner Harbor area aren't even synchronized, so plan on long, frustrating trips that should be short. The crime is bad, but is mainly contained to the "ghetto" areas. Nevertheless, I don't think I'd want to be a single woman living in the city.

You say you don't want to be around "crazy drivers?" Then, definitely cross B-more off! The drivers here are both slow and crazy! Red lights aren't a law, they're just a suggestion, and the pedestrians will cross whenever, wherever . . . it's YOU who has to watch out!

While the people in B-more are generally more friendly than in Philly or even DC, they are also, generally, not as sophisticated as those in DC, so I guess it's kind of a trade-off.

I agree with some of the others . . . Try for Dupont, Adams Morgan or even Woodley Park in DC, or Bethesda or downtown Silver Spring in MD. As far as noVA, it's a nice place to visit, but from what I've seen & experienced (used to live in Fairfax a number of years ago), unless you're married with 2.3 children and drive a minivan or SUV, you'll feel out of place.

Good luck!

"As far as noVA, it's a nice place to visit, but from what I've seen & experienced (used to live in Fairfax a number of years ago), unless you're married with 2.3 children and drive a minivan or SUV, you'll feel out of place."

LT, totally not picking on you! I completely understand that this was your experience in Fairfax. However, there are parts of NOVA that aren't like that. I am married, however, I am only 28 and most of my friends are single! I truly think that Arlington, Clarendon, or Ballston would be a good fit! In fact, this is where a lot of people choose to "go out."

Take it from someone who wasted their mid-20s in Gaithersburg, you don't want to live there. Think suburban development, families with kids (not that there's anything wrong with that, but it doesn't sound like what you're looking for), No culture or nightlife to speak of. My impression is that Columbia is the same only more so. When my roommates & I finally came to our senses and moved to Alexandria, we really started to like the DC area. Bethesda is pretty good but I liked Nothern VA better. If you have time on your upcoming trip check out the neighborhoods in Arlington that McAllister listed in addition to Old Town.

Arlington--the neighborhoods mentioned by McAlister--definitely has the reputation as the current hot spot in the DC area for affluent single herterosexuals in their 20's. Although the image is more workaholics living in new luxury highrises there, with somewhat more artsy people in buildings with more age and charm in DC and Old Town Alexandria.

I associate Bethesda more with affluent younger marrieds than singles. And I have recently moved from Silver Spring. While it's true that the downtown there has had an absolutely amazing rebirth, it is still definitely not what you are looking for, considering what you can afford.

I've taken a shine to Bethesda.
Good restaurants, shopping, close to city.
I would like Georgetown, but that's too much to shell out.
And I agree about Silver Spring. Just hear about too much crime still happening there.

The Bethesda/Chevy Chase area is very nice, especially the areas around Wisconsin Avenue. Definitely not Silver Spring. ((b))

"Just too much crime" in Silver Spring?

Compared to what? Baltimore? DC?

You're a newcomer and you're the first to mention Silver Spring and crime. Here's another tip for an MD newcomer: Bethesda is the state center of white (over 85 percent BTW) yuppiedom, snootiness reigns and they love to look down their noses at at Silver Spring (I don't live in either place but frequent both.)

Unlike Bethesda, Silver Spring covers a huge area in MoCo so your chances of "hearing" of a crime there might not be within miles of where you're looking.

Hmmm, is this just another world where "crime" is code .....?

Silver Spring didn't fit your original request so I didn't recommend it, but has many great areas. And with the new Birchmere coming in, the changes aren't over.

That is what I was thinking Repete.

I live in Silver Spring. It is not a cool, happening place by any stretch, but I don't feel unsafe here at all.

Bethesda can't be all bad. Louisiana Express is located there. Some of the best Cajun food in the Washington area. Tom Sietsema, the Post restuarant critic, ought to break out of his Dupont Circle-Inn at Little Washington mindset and visit the Lousiana Express.

Author: Budman
Date: 04/04/2007, 10:09 pm
The Bethesda/Chevy Chase area is very nice, especially the areas around Wisconsin Avenue. Definitely not Silver Spring.
>>>>>>

To others who thought I was slagging on Silver Spring, it isn't that bad.
I almost moved there last year.
I have a couple friends who live there and like it.
I am going to rent an apartment in Bethesda near/on Wisconsin Ave.
Housing is up in the air, so not going to buy for a while.
Think it'll be a nice compromise between burbs and big city life.
Thanks again for all the input.