philly or baltimore (Philadelphia, Washington, Alexandria: job market, contractors, living)

[silverspringer]

Baltimore is a great place for a young couple, especially if you live in a neighborhood like Fells Point. There are lots of bars and restaurants, you can stroll right to an O's game, and it's a very manageable, convenient urbanism. There are tons of twenty something couples with dogs, lots of great markets, and some culture. If you are motivated, there's even more stuff in DC just an hour away. The weather is slightly but noticeably better than Philly's.

Philadelphia has more of everything than Baltimore. To me it's a big city, and Baltimore is a smaller city. There is a similar feel.

I would choose based on the field in which you work, or want to work. Philadelphia has a lot more job prospects overall. Philly has pharmaceutical companies; Baltimore has insurance. Baltimore is closer to federal agencies and political groups in DC. I think Baltimore and the region have more nonprofit-type jobs. There's not a lot of publishing in Baltimore but there is some; there's hardly any in Philadelphia.

[bryson662001]

Baltimore is to Philadelphia as Philadelphia is to New York. The two are similar but Philly has much more of everything.

[pdotb]

I lived in B-more for 7 years in my 20's and loved it. I wouldn't mind moving back there some day. Fun neighborhoods and plenty to do. There are some great little restaurants and a decent local music scene. Also......a continually emerging local art scene that is more noticable in some neighborhoods than others. Over all a much more "homey" feel than I have seen in Philly so far. And honestly, crime rate similar to Philly's in a per capita comparison. B-more's crime is mostly segregated to pockets and areas of urban blight/poverty. I would imagine it is somewhat like that in most cities. I managed to live there for 7 years with nothing scary ever happening to me.....and never felt unsafe. It was quite easy to avoid "questionable" areas and no real reason for me to ever venture there.
Philly is the bigger city though......so some things it will have more of, simply by virtue of being bigger and maybe those are things that are important to you.
To me Baltimore has kind of a feeling of being a Northeast/South bridge in terms of temperament......a little bit more relaxed. While Philly is all Northeast, all the time.
I am moving to Philly some time over the summer for a minimum of 4 years. I guess I'll find out which is better soon enough. Good luck in your decision.

[bicoastal10]

Philly is better.

Baltimore is a dump for the most part. At least Philly has great resturants, plenty of good entertainment, a great public transportation system, good/great universities, lots of history/culture, a very nice downtown area, decent sports teams, and is very close to DC, NYC, and the NJ shore/AC area.

[G Goo]

Originally Posted by bicoastal10

Philly is better.

Baltimore is a dump for the most part. At least Philly has great resturants, plenty of good entertainment, a great public transportation system, good/great universities, lots of history/culture, a very nice downtown area, decent sports teams, and is very close to DC, NYC, and the NJ shore/AC area.

I think saying "Baltimore is a dump" gives short shrift to the vibrant neighborhoods that exist in Baltimore (especially along the harbor). I do think however that on the whole Baltimore's blight has infected more of their city, in comparison to Philly.

[Shino306]

I know you said you wanted to move in the next week, however I'd strongly recommend you visit both cities for a couple days and see, which city fits you best. Everyone on here is going to have differing opinions and both cities have their pros and cons.
I personally prefer Philly to Bmore. Also do you both have jobs lined up? I'd strongly recommend you have jobs in place before you move anywhere as there's plenty of people out of work up here.

Good Luck in your decision

[MFThomas]

Originally Posted by acenturi

Baltimore = Very Mini Boston.

baltimore is bigger than boston

[perfectdisplay]

I've been considering the same thing. I'm definitely going to visit though before I decide.

[acenturi]

Originally Posted by MFThomas

baltimore is bigger than boston

Obviously you didn't get it. I'm relating to the cultural, cosmopolitan and entertainment aspects of the 2 cities - not the physical size, which has very litle to do with making a living choice in this thread. If it did, Philadelphia would be the winner without any other consideration.

[gfspeople]

I have lived in both Baltimore and Philadelphia, Baltimore first and then I moved to Philadelphia. Philly defiantly has a stronger mass transit system if that is important to you. Also it is flourishing with life downtown in many different neighborhoods. I would have to say Philadelphia all the way on this one.