Boring city but nice house or exciting city and rent?

[faithchick]

Wow i can only dream of being somewhere as populated as Charlotte now! DON'T DO IT is all I can say. You seem vibrant non-homebody types... my husband and I are very much home bodies with two boys 5 & 10 yr old. Moved from NYC 4 1/2 yrs ago to Cheraw, SC (population only God knows.. cuz it is note enough) only thing to do is to go to super walmart that is not so super and closes at 11pm - charlotte nc is the closest large city to us and is over 70 miles from here!

I have a house, a yard, a pool, and I hate this place more than i can say. If a day goes by that I am not in tears I don't remember one.... Small town, no friends, no family just nothing... my 10 yr I asked him what he wanted to do this summer. and his answer was MOVE. Everyone is miserable and we can't seem to find a way to get back home!

I pondered this having a house and sounding real stupid wanting to sell the house and move back to NYC and live in an itsy bitsy apartment for more than double my mortgage - not sure we could even afford it either, but our family is absolutely miserable! If you love being out and about - just stay where you are and enjoy your life! It sucks to be alone bored and miserable with no hope in the world for it to change soon enough!

[Tama]

I wish you well. I moved from Philly to a southern college town and was aghast at first. I found, however, that there is a trade-off and a lifestyle built around learning new things, physical outdoorsy activities (hiking and golf, for example), beautiful surroundings, good friends, and travel can go a long way toward offsetting museums and concerts.

Most medium-sized cities, especially university towns, do have music events and the arts, farmer's markets, parks, shopping, restaurants, visiting lecturers and exhibits, and interest groups. Many have group trips on the weekend to areas of interest.

I think you are struggling with a problem that really exists within your own making. DC is great but other places can be great too. I agree that the Northeast has wonderful opportunities for weekends. But--gosh--once you have your own home, don't you think you might enjoy time there entertaining, swimming in your pool, or soaking in your hot tub? And with an affordable home you would have more disposable income for weekend trips by plane to interesting places.

Why not try for a mid-sized university city near the shore and mountains?
Plan to take trips a couple times a year to the big city to take in the museums. Maybe with your savings you could afford a small second-home in the mountains or at the beach.

There are so many ways around your dilemma--the entire United States is at your disposal.

[Tama]

Sorry-- I forgot a possibility. Try the Lehigh Valley area in PA. It has reasonable housing. Close to NYC, in fact, there are park and drives because people commute. Close to the Poconos and Phila. The Jersey shore is reachable in about three hours easy drive or less and there are busses going all the time to the casinos. Bethlehem is a neat town with a casino at the old Bethlehem Steel plant. DC would be a bit of a drive but doable off and on with an overnight stay. Also--not bad access to New England and upstate NY.

[exit18b]

People assume that NYC, Washington, Boston and LA are filled with happy people and everyone loves it there. I lived in 2 of those 4 areas. I have also lived in Detroit and Cleveland. I would rather have a nice home (own) in downtown Cleveland than rent a place in one of those "cool" areas. for example, Cleveland, yes Cleveland has wonderful arts and culture with a great art musuem and orchestra. Also there is alot happening downtown. $250k - $330k can buy a real nice place downtown. Cities like Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, St. Louis, Covington, Ky provide cheaper alternatives. Givem them a shot. You can make good money depending on your field and your $$$ can go far....

[Hollytree]

To the Op: Your dilemma is a common one and is one with which we have struggled with as well- having also bailed out on the DC area at one point for the same reason- high housing prices.

Our compromise location is Rhode Island- still on the East coast and all it has to offer. We take the train to DC every Spring for our museum fix. Boston is just 40 min away and NYC only about 3.5 hrs. Plus, RI is drivable to the rest of New England states and attractions- inc. the Cape and ferries to all the islands. RI itself has Providence, a medium sized city that has a lot to offer artistically and culturally- not to mention Newport.

Plus, here's the biggie- you can buy a house! There are decent areas that start in the 200s. It's also a great area for restoring an old home.

[South Jersey Styx]

To the OP: I didn't realize that this was an older post and am wondering if you are still living in DC or moving elsewhere?

I lived and worked in DC and the surrounding area for 25 yrs. Yes, the theatres, museums, lounges, art, culture, festivals, etc. are fantastic. But after 25 yrs of running like crazy, commuting, and the TRAFFIC (even if you live in the city, just getting anywhere is a pain), I took a job in NJ, where I also have family. Although I like it very much here, I prefer the DC area and am planning to return. Not that I am that crazy over the museums and art and all (I am older now and still enjoy those things but not to the extent when I was younger), but I miss my friends, as well as other things. To me, my friends in DC are the best. Even now, I call them nearly every day.

As far as living: where exactly are these places that you CANNOT afford? If you want to name a few places, please do. I am very familiar with the area and own a house in Loudoun County. And why does it seem to be that only a house valued at $900K is satisfactory for you, especially when you seem to spend more time outside of a house and you do not have any children? Prices have dropped; certainly not like they were 3-4 yrs ago, so there should be MORE that's affordable for you. My advice: spend more time being retrospective and figure out what you're really looking for. It almost seems like the un-affordable house is an excuse not to stay in a place you obviously love (DC) and that you're seeking something elsewhere, like running around?

You also mentioned changes in careers and graduate school? Trust me, there are loads of opportunities in DC that you may not find elsewhere in the country.