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Old 08-13-2018, 07:57 PM
 
52 posts, read 67,736 times
Reputation: 21

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Hello everyone,
I am planning a cross-country move and leaving my home state of 42 years to be closer to family up in VA/MD. I visited Frederick and really liked it but I think Germantown may be closer to job opportunities (I'm in healthcare rehab). I come from DFW which has several million people and everything I could possibly want is a 10 minute drive. I know I won't find that up where I'm moving, but my main concerns are twofold:

1) Frederick or Germantown? What is the job market like in Frederick, particularly with hospitals and nursing homes? Is Germantown commutable to DC if it comes to that?

2) Rent or buy? I want a smallish house (2-3 bedrooms) in a nice, safe neighborhood. Detached single family homes only. (I've never shared a wall with a neighbor and I don't think I could handle that compromise at this point in my life!) I originally thought I'd buy, but I don't know the neighborhoods or where I would feel safe living or would be desirable to invest in. Or even where I would get a job yet! I can afford up to $350K (maybe 400). My concern about renting is that I would have to move twice, and if I can even find a house or townhouse that would take me with 2 cats and 2 small dogs. My concern about buying is that I'd end up in an undesirable neighborhood or inconvenient location.

Any advice is really appreciated. I've only moved once in my life and that was not long distance.
Thanks,
Amy
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Old 08-13-2018, 08:39 PM
 
5,114 posts, read 6,092,097 times
Reputation: 7184
Have a Job lined up before moving. Center your house search after you get a job. Be ready for sticker shock. Two cats and two dogs, yea, you'll have trouble finding a place to rent.
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Old 08-13-2018, 08:42 PM
 
52 posts, read 67,736 times
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I tried that route, but in my job field people want you to start within 2 weeks. I won't be able to start until I have somewhere to live!
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Old 08-14-2018, 04:10 AM
 
Location: The Triad
34,090 posts, read 82,975,811 times
Reputation: 43666
Quote:
Originally Posted by inkybrown View Post
I won't be able to start until I have somewhere to live!
Which is the main reason most will rent first... they have to.

It's just about insane to pull up stakes, move cross country,
and then commit to a $350,000 purchase and not know where they're working.
Even if they can find a mortgage lender to go along with the scheme.
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Old 08-14-2018, 05:17 AM
 
Location: Boston
20,102 posts, read 9,015,533 times
Reputation: 18759
My advice is that you're doing this backwards. As stated above, find a job first. An employer insisting you must start within two weeks realizing you have to move across country isn't someone I'd want to work for.
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Old 08-14-2018, 08:57 AM
 
52 posts, read 67,736 times
Reputation: 21
I have already found some rentals that will accept my pets, but nobody will accept less than 1 year lease. That could be a problem!
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Old 08-14-2018, 09:57 AM
 
1,914 posts, read 2,243,403 times
Reputation: 14574
Quote:
Originally Posted by inkybrown View Post
I have already found some rentals that will accept my pets, but nobody will accept less than 1 year lease. That could be a problem!
Not necessarily a problem. You would have the benefit of enough time to decide whether the job was a good fit, what kind of commute you can tolerate in local conditions, including during winter weather, and time to identify a neighborhood that provides what you want.


A year will go by very quickly in a new location with a new job. Moving twice when going into a completely different environment would likely be worth the cost and inconvenience. Renting first, even for a year, could be viewed as insurance against the more costly mistake of choosing a location to buy without having all the information you need to make the best choice.
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Old 08-14-2018, 10:21 AM
 
Location: Howard County, Maryland
16,556 posts, read 10,626,496 times
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I'm no expert, but I'd be surprised if you can find a single family home in a decent area for $400,000 in Germantown. Frederick is definitely the more affordable of your two options.
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Old 08-14-2018, 10:41 AM
 
52 posts, read 67,736 times
Reputation: 21
I have seen a couple that were just under 400K. Thanks everyone for the advice, I am pretty stressed out but I hope to have my thoughts worked out soon!
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Old 08-14-2018, 10:52 AM
 
103 posts, read 183,890 times
Reputation: 68
While Montgomery Co (Germantown) will have more job opportunities by default, and is much more populated, I wouldn't sleep on Frederick. I know some folks that live in Washington County (north of Frederick) and work in healthcare, in Hagerstown. Slower pace of life, less congestion, more affordable, which can be a pro or con depending on the individual.
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