Relocating to either Seattle or Baltimore - What's it like to live there?
Jul 17th, 2003, 05:48 PM
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow, you guys are awesome! Thank you all for taking the time to respond. I learned a lot more about the two cities from the post and they've been very helpful.
I've lived in the East Coast all my life and currently live just outside of Boston. While I love Boston dearly, I've realized that I will never be able to achieve the american dream of owning my home in Boston since the real estate prices here are so high. Also, I'd like to live in a warmer climate area...
I consider myself a city person and love the energy and excitement of the city life despite the stresses that come with it, but I don't need to live IN the city, just close to it... On the other hand, I've always been drawn to the ocean, which is why I want to live closer to the either coast. I don't have any kids, so don't have to worry about school systems yet, but that could change...
goCats2002, is Seattle really not that cheaper than San Francisco? I thought San Francisco was way up there in terms of the cost of living along with NYC...
Anyway, thanks again for all your help!
I've lived in the East Coast all my life and currently live just outside of Boston. While I love Boston dearly, I've realized that I will never be able to achieve the american dream of owning my home in Boston since the real estate prices here are so high. Also, I'd like to live in a warmer climate area...
I consider myself a city person and love the energy and excitement of the city life despite the stresses that come with it, but I don't need to live IN the city, just close to it... On the other hand, I've always been drawn to the ocean, which is why I want to live closer to the either coast. I don't have any kids, so don't have to worry about school systems yet, but that could change...
goCats2002, is Seattle really not that cheaper than San Francisco? I thought San Francisco was way up there in terms of the cost of living along with NYC...
Anyway, thanks again for all your help!
Jul 17th, 2003, 06:05 PM
#23
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Homestore.com has an income calculator. All you do is type in your income where you live and then put in where you want to move to and it will show you how much you will need to earn in the second city to match your current income. This might help determine if Seattle is the same as San Francisco.
Jul 17th, 2003, 06:11 PM
#24
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,474
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Two more things about Baltimore that may be important to you: lack of health-food stores with organic produce within the city (although a friend of mine tells me a Fresh Fields just opened downtown, to add to the one in the Mount Washington area) and not the most bicyclist-friendly city. I think ecologically-sensitive people did not play a major role in the urban planning.
Ending on a good note, though, I find there's an air of optimism in Baltimore and a loveable (to me) scrappy civic pride despite the flaws. Baltimoreans are making efforts to improve their city visibly, but do not just tear down out of respect for the centuries of history. It'll take some more time, but if you move there, there's a sense that you too could make a valuable contribution.
Ending on a good note, though, I find there's an air of optimism in Baltimore and a loveable (to me) scrappy civic pride despite the flaws. Baltimoreans are making efforts to improve their city visibly, but do not just tear down out of respect for the centuries of history. It'll take some more time, but if you move there, there's a sense that you too could make a valuable contribution.
Jul 17th, 2003, 07:33 PM
#25
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
sleepless, I am no expert on the price of housing nationwide. We just spent a few nights crying in our pillows with sticker shock when we moved to the Seattle area from Portland OR.
But, we had kids and our housing needs were likely different from yours. I have relatives who live way outside of Boston as they couldn't afford the city.
I had fun on that homestore web site, I must say. I compared everything with San Franciso. SF was the most expensive, as you guessed. Baltimore was the lowest in cost. Then Seattle, followed by Boston, gain with SF at the top.
Who knows? Go where you would like to live the most. You will find a way.
But, we had kids and our housing needs were likely different from yours. I have relatives who live way outside of Boston as they couldn't afford the city.
I had fun on that homestore web site, I must say. I compared everything with San Franciso. SF was the most expensive, as you guessed. Baltimore was the lowest in cost. Then Seattle, followed by Boston, gain with SF at the top.
Who knows? Go where you would like to live the most. You will find a way.
Jul 17th, 2003, 08:28 PM
#26
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I live in Seattle (actually 10 miles to the east) and on days like today I feel as if I've died and gone to heaven...truly a Paradise...But when it rains for weeks on end in the winter, well, that sometimes gets tough (and I have to either take a sunbreak or remind myself of days like today.)
I've lived in S.F. too and love it there as well, but if you love big trees and nature, this place wins out.
I sugguest you take some time and really check out both cities and see which one feels best to you. You can make arrangements in advance to have a real estate agent show you around so that you can get a genuine idea of what would be available in your price range (we did that before we moved here and it was so helpful) and you can check out both cities and determine which one has the most to offer for your needs.
Good luck. Let us know what you decide.
I've lived in S.F. too and love it there as well, but if you love big trees and nature, this place wins out.
I sugguest you take some time and really check out both cities and see which one feels best to you. You can make arrangements in advance to have a real estate agent show you around so that you can get a genuine idea of what would be available in your price range (we did that before we moved here and it was so helpful) and you can check out both cities and determine which one has the most to offer for your needs.
Good luck. Let us know what you decide.
Jul 18th, 2003, 05:53 AM
#27
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hope no one gets mad if I keep this thread going. I have lived in Baltimore all my life (excpet while attending college in Philly) and have spent a lot of time in Seattle too. And I have traveled extensively in the US. (or I guess I wouldn't post on this board!)
There is no question in my mind that Seattle is more expensive as far as real estate goes. Although prices in Baltimore are heating up.
There is no question that there are certain areas of Baltimore you will never want to set foot into, but the same is true of all cities East of the Mississippi.
Most of us Baltimoreans (that's what those of us who are educated call ourselves, except when we feel like being silly and resort to the Bawlmer hon thing) love living here. We enjoy access to great urban and natural attractions, cities to mountains to the bay and atlantic beaches; a fab airport that lets you get away easily, interesting restaurants that won't all break the bank, far less traffic than other cities (but it is getting worse), really low crime in the areas that you would probably consider living in, and a generally pleasant and unpretentious way of life. My advice to someone moving here is to get involved, because it is a very civic and philanthropic community, and that's how people most easily meet others and become part of our very enjoyable way of life.
The weather in Seattle would get me down. I know how great summer is but it doesn't last that long. In Baltimore, it can be in the 60's into December. Winter doesn't last forever, and sometimes it doesn't even snow.
I love to travel, but I love coming home too.
There is no question in my mind that Seattle is more expensive as far as real estate goes. Although prices in Baltimore are heating up.
There is no question that there are certain areas of Baltimore you will never want to set foot into, but the same is true of all cities East of the Mississippi.
Most of us Baltimoreans (that's what those of us who are educated call ourselves, except when we feel like being silly and resort to the Bawlmer hon thing) love living here. We enjoy access to great urban and natural attractions, cities to mountains to the bay and atlantic beaches; a fab airport that lets you get away easily, interesting restaurants that won't all break the bank, far less traffic than other cities (but it is getting worse), really low crime in the areas that you would probably consider living in, and a generally pleasant and unpretentious way of life. My advice to someone moving here is to get involved, because it is a very civic and philanthropic community, and that's how people most easily meet others and become part of our very enjoyable way of life.
The weather in Seattle would get me down. I know how great summer is but it doesn't last that long. In Baltimore, it can be in the 60's into December. Winter doesn't last forever, and sometimes it doesn't even snow.
I love to travel, but I love coming home too.
Jul 18th, 2003, 09:24 AM
#28
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What does an education have to do with not having an accent? Ted Kennedy is a lawyer and still has a New England accent. An college education means you sit in a classroom, then do homework, study and get tested - been there, done that. Could everybody get off the snob train?
Aug 17th, 2013, 09:29 AM
#30
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 11,786
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Between the two, I would choose Seattle, no contest. Regarding housing prices, have you considered Portland, Oregon? My niece, a San Francisco native, just moved to Portland. The apartment she found there is amazing, and affordable so she doesn't need a roommate.
Our DD went to college four years in Baltimore. We did not like the city, all told. She experienced several terrifying crimes, including the murder of a young man in the frat house, by a street person. Her apartment was in Charles Village, and she got tired of climbing over druggies in that neighborhood. Her car was seriously vandalized, parked on the street overnight (which was the only option for residents).
I remember when we were deciding on colleges, we visited Baltimore, and I asked a police officer in Charles Village about crime. He said there are pockets of 'hell' in Baltimore, and you must stay out of them. Problem is, he said, it's a patchwork of bad areas all over, and you can easily get into the wrong area.
We found that to be very true. Our first trip to Baltimore, taking DD to school, we had a room at the Tremont Park. I had pulled driving directions from the Internet for getting from the airport to the hotel. Big mistake. It took us through really scary areas, at dusk no less. We were going slowly, as it was a residential area, and a drunken old woman actually came over and started beating on our car. It was not a good intro to the city.
Over the years, we felt the city had a lot of racial tension. DD especially felt it, as the college kids in the neighborhood did not feel all that welcome. Anytime we had to do business with the city, like for a parking pass, it was so disorganized and not at all user-friendly.
We were very happy when DD moved out of Bmore.
Our DD went to college four years in Baltimore. We did not like the city, all told. She experienced several terrifying crimes, including the murder of a young man in the frat house, by a street person. Her apartment was in Charles Village, and she got tired of climbing over druggies in that neighborhood. Her car was seriously vandalized, parked on the street overnight (which was the only option for residents).
I remember when we were deciding on colleges, we visited Baltimore, and I asked a police officer in Charles Village about crime. He said there are pockets of 'hell' in Baltimore, and you must stay out of them. Problem is, he said, it's a patchwork of bad areas all over, and you can easily get into the wrong area.
We found that to be very true. Our first trip to Baltimore, taking DD to school, we had a room at the Tremont Park. I had pulled driving directions from the Internet for getting from the airport to the hotel. Big mistake. It took us through really scary areas, at dusk no less. We were going slowly, as it was a residential area, and a drunken old woman actually came over and started beating on our car. It was not a good intro to the city.
Over the years, we felt the city had a lot of racial tension. DD especially felt it, as the college kids in the neighborhood did not feel all that welcome. Anytime we had to do business with the city, like for a parking pass, it was so disorganized and not at all user-friendly.
We were very happy when DD moved out of Bmore.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
raspberryricotta
United States
18
Oct 20th, 2015 09:48 PM
