Boring city but nice house or exciting city and rent? (expensive, move to)

[doglover29]

My husband and I (early 30's, no kids) live in DC and are considering moving to a city with a lower cost of living, in order to buy a decent house. Here in DC, we cannot afford a decent house with a relatively short commute to the city for work. The houses we've been looking at that are small crap shacks are around $900,000. Thus, we are strongly looking at moving out of the area to the midwest, cities like Indianapolis, Cleveland, etc.

However, we are big city folk and love everything that DC has to offer--museums, cultural events, great nightlife, etc. We have lived in other big cities and really love the big city atmosphere, plus after living in a place like DC with so much to do it's hard to then move to a city where there's not much to do. We think we would miss the big city excitement in a place like Indy. Also, we love living on the East Coast because we are so close to great places for weekend trips within easy driving distance, like NYC, Philly, the Atlantic beaches, the Poconos, etc. If we lived in Indy or another midwest city, there's not that much around there to drive to that's very exciting.

We just can't decide if a nice house that's a decent price is worth being in a boring city. Or, should we stay and continue renting in order to be in an exciting city like DC? We've always rented and are ready to settle down and buy a house. On the other hand, we love going out and experiencing all the city has to offer.

We don't have any ties to anywhere and can move anywhere, so that makes this decision harder.

[Isle_Gal]

Originally Posted by doglover29

Also, we love living on the East Coast because we are so close to great places for weekend trips within easy driving distance, like NYC, Philly, the Atlantic beaches, the Poconos, etc. If we lived in Indy or another midwest city, there's not that much around there to drive to that's very exciting.

Just curious - why are you limiting yourself to the Midwest? There are options on the East Coast that are MUCH MUCH more affordable than DC. You could still do DC weekend trips. Just my opinion of course, but I would definitely choose less house in a vibrant locale over a McMansion in a boring place. Then again - the cities you mentioned ... having never been to them ... probably have more going on than you realize. Have you looked into Houston? The weather is stifling, but it's affordable and there is LOTS and LOTS to do. Musesums/pro sports/theater/top concerts/festivals/nightlife...

[findingmesomeday]

This is the second or third thread I've read that you started, in which you posted various variations on this question and with all of them I get the same general impression.

You love DC. You hate the idea of living anywhere else as it would be boring.

I suggested a decision tree earlier, in another thread. I think you've already made the first decision. To wonder if you should move to a "boring" city, means you're setting yourself up to be unhappy no matter where you move. I think you'll be overall happier if you "give" a little as far as what you want in a house. If you feel anything under $900K is "crap" then think condo or townhouse (though we lived in Fairfax County and it seemed to me you can find a decent house for well under that).

If you don't give one way or the other, you are setting yourself up for a disappointment. You can't have your cake and eat it too, in this situation.

[aragx6]

If you go in thinking you'll find a city boring, then you automatically will without discovering its gems. You're not talking about moving to Springfield, IL here.

2 suggestions:

Give St. Louis, MO a look with an open mind. It's a beautiful city with more activities than any one person could ever do anyway. Read this list:101 Things Every St. Louisan Must Do - St Louis Magazine - May 2008 - St. Louis, Missouri

Or, you could spend more money, but less than DC on a place in Chicago - which has more to do in the city than DC. Although there isn't as much in a quick driving distance to see, O'hare has direct flights just about anywhere- so you could do weekend trips away with the money you'd save by leaving DC.

[gortamor]

Have you thought of Boston? A great city and you can get a decent home in near by (T runs through them) suburbs for $400K or so.

Do not move to midwest. It is boring.

[aragx6]

Boston is just as expensive, if not more so, than DC.

Just because where you live in Wisconsin is boring, certainly doesn't mean the entire region, which encompasses thousands of miles, is too.

[doglover29]

We moved here from the midwest; I do think it's boring. The main problem is that there's not much to drive to in-between cities. Here on the East Coast there's so much packed into a smaller area. I would prefer to stay on the East Coast.

It's just such a hard decision, because we have two competing goals: live in an exciting, vibrant city and own a home (we aren't interested in condos or townhouses.) So it's such a hard decision to make. My hubby and I have been discussing this constantly for weeks and still can't make a decision. We have no idea what to do.

[gortamor]

Originally Posted by aragx6

Boston is just as expensive, if not more so, than DC.

Just because where you live in Wisconsin is boring, certainly doesn't mean the entire region, which encompasses thousands of miles, is too.

Boston is nowhere as expensive as DC. There are houses in nearby northern suburbs for 400K - 450K. I know this because until recently, I lived there.

If they are used to big city life, sorry, but much of midwest will be boring to them, unless they move to somewhere like Chicago.

[therewego]

I think you should do a list of pros and cons for big house/outside or small house/city. Your situation being part-time also means you have "time" to do the museums that a city has to offer so that would probably be my choice; but if you buy, will you have the money to take advantage of those venues? If not, then why not get something outside that is probably bigger and every few weeks drive in to go to those favorite places? But for some reason, I feel anywhere you go, you'll be bored because you can't find what you are looking for, the secret is within yourself. Just some rambling thoughts...........

[5chevin5]

Well, Im going through the same dilema myself, except Im considering leaving Tokyo ( a freakin huge, expensive, exciting city) and returning to the US and live near my folks (since they are getting up there in age) and buy a home in a city with under 200,000 people.

So I ask myself these questions.
1) How do I make my money to live _____
2) Can this be done only in a big city or can I create my own wealth________
3) What does my day to day life really need ______
4) What are my desires as I get older as far as home ownership ______

etc etc ..bla bla...
Okay so my point. You more then likely will find that most cities of 300,000 or more have most the things you need for day to day living. How often do you go clubbing or to the museum or to "cultural events" I mean yes, they are nice., but life is not made up of those experiences day in and day out...right? Now I'm older then you, and I have done the "lifestyle living" for the past 20 years....Im done with it. I would much rather own a home in a mid sized town so that Im not strapped to a mortgage and can have some extra cash for investing or travel to far away lands...now that beats the DC museum any day! If you are in your early 30's, you will see your priorities change quickly in the next 5-10 years, so whats your long term plan? You aint kids anymore!

I do love being able to do those big city things, but in the long run, they just put me further behind in my goals, and I can always visit a big city when I need that fix.
It really comes down allot to how and where you can live and earn at this stage....
Plus being a "Doglover" a back yard would rock!

Good Luck with your Journey!
Results may vary....
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