Need relocation info for a progressive city with jobs
May 30th, 2001, 03:32 PM
#1
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Need relocation info for a progressive city with jobs
Considering Albuquerque, Baltimore, Portland,(Maine) and Portland (Oregon). Would like to find a large city with reasonable cost of living, not too long a commute, good job opportunities, lively night life (especially music). Would like to live in the city not the suburbs. Weather not a big consideration but would like to avoid extreme heat like Phoenix or extreme cold like Minneapolis. Anyone lived in any of these cities or others that meet this criteria and can tell me their impressions?
May 30th, 2001, 03:40 PM
#2
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Anne: What line of work are you looking for? Are you college educated and looking to land an executive level position? If so, I'd suggest that you research and see what industries are located in these particular cities. Also you should probably plan on landing a job before you pick up and move. Many companies will pick up your relocation costs if you are in demand and offer superior skills.
Have you bothered to visit any of these cities? I've done my share of traveling and have found that my impression can change greatly upon arriving in a city as opposed to what I've seen in photos and read in articles. I hated Baltimore, but really enjoy Portland, Oregon.
Have you bothered to visit any of these cities? I've done my share of traveling and have found that my impression can change greatly upon arriving in a city as opposed to what I've seen in photos and read in articles. I hated Baltimore, but really enjoy Portland, Oregon.
May 30th, 2001, 06:42 PM
#3
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As a recent newcomer to Pittsburgh, consider taking a look at a city consistently rated as one of the most livable AND one of the most underrated in the country. The steel-town image is long dead, and the city is full of art, culture, music and nightlife, universities, interesting neighborhoods, preservation, high-tech, travel opportunities . . . I'll stop now, but take a look at today's NYTimes for an interesting article about Pittsburgh's efforts to attract more immigrants. Cost of living is also amazingly reasonable, with lots of near-downtown housing opportunities - and the weather isn't as bad as cities only slightly farther north. Good luck, wherever you land!
May 30th, 2001, 08:03 PM
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Forget Baltimore and Albequerque. If you really don't like cold weather, Portland, ME can be cold even though it is in the southeastern portion of the state. I'd say that Portland, OR is much nicer and better meets your criteria, as might Seattle, Boston, or Atlanta.
May 31st, 2001, 06:38 AM
#6
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Hi Anne,
Baltimore fits your criteria of reasonable cost of living, and not too long a commute. The nightlife in Baltimore itself might be good enough for you and DC's scene is accessible within an hour by car which would probably meet all your nightlife needs. There are a few reasonably-priced neighborhoods within the city, such as Bolton Hill and Mount Vernon. Job opportunities are good in the Baltimore area in medical sciences and high-tech.
I should add that Baltimore is a little desolate for my tastes...but I've lived in London and Montreal previously, so I prefer it when things are REALLY bustling. People from other parts of the USA have told me they find Baltimore quite vibrant...it's all in one's perspective.
DAN
Baltimore fits your criteria of reasonable cost of living, and not too long a commute. The nightlife in Baltimore itself might be good enough for you and DC's scene is accessible within an hour by car which would probably meet all your nightlife needs. There are a few reasonably-priced neighborhoods within the city, such as Bolton Hill and Mount Vernon. Job opportunities are good in the Baltimore area in medical sciences and high-tech.
I should add that Baltimore is a little desolate for my tastes...but I've lived in London and Montreal previously, so I prefer it when things are REALLY bustling. People from other parts of the USA have told me they find Baltimore quite vibrant...it's all in one's perspective.
DAN
May 31st, 2001, 08:03 AM
#7
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Just be careful where you go in Baltimore. I was shocked by the crime level and the rundown housing areas. I wandered out of the Inner Harbor by a few blocks and immediately encountered gang members hovering around on the streets. Then I went to see a historic landmark and ended up having to have police escort out of the area due to the gang prescence.
May 31st, 2001, 10:49 AM
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Concerning Baltimore crime:
Yes it's got its problems and rundown housing areas. BUT in my experience, I have not once seen roaming gang members in the areas surrounding the Inner Harbor; and I've approached from all directions on a few several dozen occasions. I have to say it...but I just hope xxx did not confuse black or working poor people waiting for buses, going to the Lexington Market or walking to their cars with gang members.
South of the Inner Harbor is Federal Hill, a pleasant residential gentrified neighborhood. North of the Inner Harbor is Downtown and then Mount Vernon; you may see vagrants walking around...most leave you alone or if anything ask for change. The Block (Baltimore St., north of Barnes & Noble) does have strip clubs; i would avoid this area if female. East of the Inner Harbor is LIttle Italy, popular for its fine restaurants. West is the Lexington Market and Convention Center area; again you'll see some homeless and working poor. I've never once felt in imminent danger in any of these places.
That said, for a newcomer, I would advise staying on streets with moderate foot-traffic(i.e., Charles, Light, St. Paul) to avoid any trouble. At first, go during the day, so you can get a feel for the area.
My 2 cents.
Yes it's got its problems and rundown housing areas. BUT in my experience, I have not once seen roaming gang members in the areas surrounding the Inner Harbor; and I've approached from all directions on a few several dozen occasions. I have to say it...but I just hope xxx did not confuse black or working poor people waiting for buses, going to the Lexington Market or walking to their cars with gang members.
South of the Inner Harbor is Federal Hill, a pleasant residential gentrified neighborhood. North of the Inner Harbor is Downtown and then Mount Vernon; you may see vagrants walking around...most leave you alone or if anything ask for change. The Block (Baltimore St., north of Barnes & Noble) does have strip clubs; i would avoid this area if female. East of the Inner Harbor is LIttle Italy, popular for its fine restaurants. West is the Lexington Market and Convention Center area; again you'll see some homeless and working poor. I've never once felt in imminent danger in any of these places.
That said, for a newcomer, I would advise staying on streets with moderate foot-traffic(i.e., Charles, Light, St. Paul) to avoid any trouble. At first, go during the day, so you can get a feel for the area.
My 2 cents.
May 31st, 2001, 01:50 PM
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I live in DC, and I have only good things to say about Baltimore (except that the Orioles are really bad this year). Also, I've been to the city many times, and have never encountered these "roving" gangs anywhere near the Inner Harbor.
Baltimore's a more blue collar town than DC, and more neighborhoody. Winters aren't bad at all here (I'm from the snow belt. Southerners might disagree with me). It's usually only really cold in January and February, and you always get some nice warm days in both months.
Nightlife varies based on the neighborhood. Depends on what you're looking for.
One word of caution: Pittsburgh is anything but progressive. It's got all the bad atrributes of a small town without the accompanying good attributes. I know, it was voted the most liveable city, but there's no way I would EVER live there.
Baltimore's a more blue collar town than DC, and more neighborhoody. Winters aren't bad at all here (I'm from the snow belt. Southerners might disagree with me). It's usually only really cold in January and February, and you always get some nice warm days in both months.
Nightlife varies based on the neighborhood. Depends on what you're looking for.
One word of caution: Pittsburgh is anything but progressive. It's got all the bad atrributes of a small town without the accompanying good attributes. I know, it was voted the most liveable city, but there's no way I would EVER live there.
May 31st, 2001, 03:37 PM
#11
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Forbes OnLine recently did an overall ranking summary of cities that covered many of Anne's criteria, at:
http://www.forbes.com/2001/05/10/singles.html
Just try to look past the title of the article, and not get put off by it ("Where To Score As A Single")
http://www.forbes.com/2001/05/10/singles.html
Just try to look past the title of the article, and not get put off by it ("Where To Score As A Single")
Jun 1st, 2001, 04:46 AM
#12
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Thanks to all of you who have made such helpful suggestions. I'm surprised about the mixed reactions to Baltimore and glad to be warned about Pittsburgh. this is the kind of information that isn't readily available in the "places rated" type books. I wonder if New Orleans is similar to Baltimore in that it gets a bad rep (high crime, etc.) but may have some compensating features.
Jun 1st, 2001, 04:51 AM
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I'm a native of Syracuse NY, which shares a significant characteristic with Portland - it's one of which you should be aware. They are the cities in the US that historically have the greatest number of overcast days each year (I believe Seattle is nearly as bad). If you're a person who thrives on a fair amount of sunny weather or is affected in winter by seasonal affective disorder you should be cautious in your choice.
Jun 1st, 2001, 05:13 AM
#14
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I'm a Syracuse U. grad and lived in Portland several years and the comparison between weather just doesn't hold up! A winter in Portland is nothing like a winter in Syracuse!!
We heard all the horror stories about the dismal, gray, rainy NW before we moved there. What the people didn't mention is that Portland gets 80% of its rain between October and April; summers are about as glorious and sunny as you can imagine. It can be very warm in the summer (we had more than a few days of temps above 100 degrees--I NEVER encountered that in Syracuse!!) but fortunately, it usually cools off at night. Or you can drive to the coast for an immediate drop of about 15-20 degrees on those scorching days.
In the winter, the weather is more like a constant drizzle than actual rain. Real downpours don't happen that often. You can see on the TV weather reports at night that it rained all day, but with a total accumulation of less than a quarter inch. There's a saying that a true resident of the NW never carries an umbrella (and can point out at least three volcanoes on overcast days). If the cloudy days get you down in winter, you can always travel over the Cascades to Bend, where there's plenty of sunny days even in Jan/Feb. Or up to the famed "blue hole" in Sequim, WA, on the Olympic Peninsula.
The cost of living in Portland, however, is going up significantly. Housing costs haven't approached those of Seattle, yet, unless you're looking for a place in the trendy Pearl or NW 23rd neighborhoods. Then get prepared for some serious sticker shock. Prices are somewhat better on the East Side, but don't expect cheap housing. Or lots of availability. Good apartments get snapped up fast. Also check out the apartments on the Park Blocks near Portland State University.
Many people--singles and families--choose to live over the Columbia in Vancouver, WA, especially around 164th and Mill Plain.
Most of the jobs in Portland will be tech related. They pay reasonably well, but the salaries aren't huge.
The nightlife in Portland is fairly lively, but I wouldn't expect a nonstop party scene.
I suggest you start reading the Willamette Week to get an idea of social life in Portland (www.willametteweek.com). And look at the live cams on www.kgw.com (the NBC affiliate) to get a real view of the weather!
BTilke
We heard all the horror stories about the dismal, gray, rainy NW before we moved there. What the people didn't mention is that Portland gets 80% of its rain between October and April; summers are about as glorious and sunny as you can imagine. It can be very warm in the summer (we had more than a few days of temps above 100 degrees--I NEVER encountered that in Syracuse!!) but fortunately, it usually cools off at night. Or you can drive to the coast for an immediate drop of about 15-20 degrees on those scorching days.
In the winter, the weather is more like a constant drizzle than actual rain. Real downpours don't happen that often. You can see on the TV weather reports at night that it rained all day, but with a total accumulation of less than a quarter inch. There's a saying that a true resident of the NW never carries an umbrella (and can point out at least three volcanoes on overcast days). If the cloudy days get you down in winter, you can always travel over the Cascades to Bend, where there's plenty of sunny days even in Jan/Feb. Or up to the famed "blue hole" in Sequim, WA, on the Olympic Peninsula.
The cost of living in Portland, however, is going up significantly. Housing costs haven't approached those of Seattle, yet, unless you're looking for a place in the trendy Pearl or NW 23rd neighborhoods. Then get prepared for some serious sticker shock. Prices are somewhat better on the East Side, but don't expect cheap housing. Or lots of availability. Good apartments get snapped up fast. Also check out the apartments on the Park Blocks near Portland State University.
Many people--singles and families--choose to live over the Columbia in Vancouver, WA, especially around 164th and Mill Plain.
Most of the jobs in Portland will be tech related. They pay reasonably well, but the salaries aren't huge.
The nightlife in Portland is fairly lively, but I wouldn't expect a nonstop party scene.
I suggest you start reading the Willamette Week to get an idea of social life in Portland (www.willametteweek.com). And look at the live cams on www.kgw.com (the NBC affiliate) to get a real view of the weather!
BTilke
