Best lower CoL cities with tech jobs and outdoorsy in north eastern US? (activities, land)

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by NearFantastica

"Lower COL city" and "tech jobs" do not go together, generally speaking. Once a city or town becomes a hub of tech, only the tech workers with high salaries can afford to live there.

OP isn't set on working for technology manufacturers/vendors. They are looking at internal IT jobs.

Every company has internal IT jobs and staff. So working in a tech hub, like the one they are in, is largely irrelevant.

[Brenton93]

Frederick really doesnt seem cheap enough to deal with smaller city and also its a bit too close to family. Like 45-1hr is a bit too close. While 2-4hrs feels like I cant have more boundary.

Philly really any cheaper then NoVa? It does interest me a bit, but if not significantly cheaper I'd go with NoVa.
Pittsburgh really does seem to tick every box besides the weather.

All I can say about Richmond is that I am not sold that moving from RTP to Richmond would be better.

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by Brenton93

Philly really any cheaper then NoVa? It does interest me a bit, but if not significantly cheaper I'd go with NoVa.

Generally speaking, yes. You'll likely find comparable apartments/housing in the Philly area is at least 20% cheaper compared to most of the DC area.

Definitely a significant savings over time, especially if you're in a situation where your salary isn't necessarily dependent on your location.

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by Brenton93

Frederick really doesnt seem cheap enough to deal with smaller city and also its a bit too close to family. Like 45-1hr is a bit too close. While 2-4hrs feels like I cant have more boundary.

Philly really any cheaper then NoVa? It does interest me a bit, but if not significantly cheaper I'd go with NoVa.
Pittsburgh really does seem to tick every box besides the weather.

All I can say about Richmond is that I am not sold that moving from RTP to Richmond would be better.

Between raw number of available jobs, and neighborhoods suited for folks in their late 20s, I don't think you can go wrong in Philadelphia. Not that these don't exist in Pittsburgh, but your social experience and ability to surround yourself with folks in a similar position in life, will be a heck of a lot easier in Philadelphia.

There are a number of neighborhoods that come to mind, but Fishtown might be a neighborhood to start.

Something like this: https://www.zillow.com/b/wolff-court...hia-pa-9PXHHm/

Or you could look west of the river/West Philly: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...62412340_zpid/
https://www.zillow.com/b/4912-baltim...ila-pa-98x3wq/

When considering both of the areas above are hotbeds for younger professionals, these apartments would be 30-50% more expensive in DC.

[Gaylord_Focker]

Originally Posted by mwj119

Between raw number of available jobs, and neighborhoods suited for folks in their late 20s, I don't think you can go wrong in Philadelphia. Not that these don't exist in Pittsburgh, but your social experience and ability to surround yourself with folks in a similar position in life, will be a heck of a lot easier in Philadelphia.

There are a number of neighborhoods that come to mind, but Fishtown might be a neighborhood to start.

Something like this: https://www.zillow.com/b/wolff-court...hia-pa-9PXHHm/

Or you could look west of the river/West Philly: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...62412340_zpid/
https://www.zillow.com/b/4912-baltim...ila-pa-98x3wq/

When considering both of the areas above are hotbeds for younger professionals, these apartments would be 30-50% more expensive in DC.

Wow. Impressive

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

Albany-Schenectady-Troy NY comes to mind right away, as it even has a video game cluster and some other tech related jobs. Relatively affordable, near multiple sets of mountains and major cities such as NYC/Boston/Montreal are all within a few hours. There are also multiple walkable and/or relatively dense built environment neighborhoods that are desirable in each of those cities and even in other places in the area(Cohoes, Scotia, Delmar, maybe even parts of Watervliet, Rensselaer, etc.).

More information: https://www.albany.com/nanotech/location/

https://www.albany.com/hotspot/tech-valley/

https://www.ceg.org/articles/capital...ts-facilities/

https://www.ceg.org/

https://centersquarealbany.com/

https://www.discoverschenectady.com/...tockade-tours/

https://www.downtowntroy.org/home/
https://www.downtowntroy.org/residential-real-estate

https://www.wpn-troy.org/

Helderberg Neighborhood AssociationHome - Helderberg Neighborhood Association | Helderberg Neighborhood Association

https://www.pinehillsna.org/
https://www.albany.com/neighborhoods/pine-hills/

Upper Union Street BID | Schenectady, NY | Capital Region Businesses

https://www.explorecohoes.com/home
https://www.facebook.com/CohoesDowntownMarketplace/
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.7723...7i16384!8i8192

https://www.elocallink.tv/m/v/Redesi...co19_qual_iwd#
https://villageofscotia.org/ (across the Mohawk River from Downtown Schenectady)
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.8261...7i16384!8i8192

Delmar(just south of Albany): https://www.google.com/maps/@42.6220...7i16384!8i8192
Town it is in: https://www.townofbethlehem.org/

https://rensselaerny.gov/ (across the Hudson River from Albany/just south of Troy): https://rensselaerny.gov/
In the southern portion of the city: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.6337...7i16384!8i8192

https://watervliet.com/ (is west of Troy across the Hudson River/north of Albany): https://watervliet.com/
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wa...!4d-73.7012299

There's also Saratoga Springs in the metro area: https://www.discoversaratoga.org/
https://www.saratoga.com/
https://www.saratoga-springs.org/
Downtown street view: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0831...7i16384!8i8192

This village is also walkable and minutes from Saratoga Springs, as well as the Global Foundries facility in Malta: https://www.villageofballstonspa.org/
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0025...7i16384!8i8192

Here are some apartments/rentals that are under $1500 in the metro area, Albany County: https://www.apartmentfinder.com/New-...nts/Under-1500

Schenectady County: https://www.apartmentfinder.com/New-...nts/Under-1500

Rensselaer County(Troy, Rensselaer, etc.): https://www.apartmentfinder.com/New-...nts/Under-1500

Saratoga County: https://www.apartmentfinder.com/New-...nts/Under-1500

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by Gaylord_Focker

Wow. Impressive

Manayunk would be another really good spot, based on what the OP is saying. A bit less crowded, some great places to eat and drink and socialize, and I'd assume it's that much easier to get out of the city for weekend exploration vs. neighborhoods downtown.

This looks promising: https://www.zillow.com/b/the-lofts-a...hia-pa-5XjQr9/

The Poconos are less than 90 minutes from Manayunk. Of course, the Del Water Gap is right there, too. Plenty to do for the outdoor enthusiast, though I realize it's not as convenient as living in it, like you would be in Alleghany County.

[Brenton93]

Yall are making me look at philly more. I believe its a more cycle friendly city.

I wonder for scenery and outdoor activities how Pittsburgh and Philly match up.

I really could just go visit the two cities. That would probably be my best option.

Philly is closer to my parents.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

Here are some apartments/rentals that are under $1500 in the metro area, Albany County: https://www.apartmentfinder.com/New-...nts/Under-1500

Schenectady County: https://www.apartmentfinder.com/New-...nts/Under-1500

Rensselaer County(Troy, Rensselaer, etc.): https://www.apartmentfinder.com/New-...nts/Under-1500

Saratoga County: https://www.apartmentfinder.com/New-...nts/Under-1500

Just to add in terms of the biking scene in the area: https://www.albany.org/things-to-do/...ntures/biking/

https://albanybicyclecoalition.com/albany_bike_map/

https://www.cdta.org/bikeable-bus/73

Also, the area has BRT: https://projects.cdta.org/

[nadnerb]

Originally Posted by Brenton93

Yall are making me look at philly more. I believe its a more cycle friendly city.

I wonder for scenery and outdoor activities how Pittsburgh and Philly match up.

I really could just go visit the two cities. That would probably be my best option.

Philly is closer to my parents.

Haven’t been to Philly but have been to NYC which I’d assume has a similar landscape.

Pittsburgh area is very pretty and scenic. I find the southwest PA / northern WV region to be the most beautiful area east of the Mississippi River.