Pittsburgh, best place to relocate to (Washington: middle-class, house, to buy)

[pman]

while I don't put a huge amount of stock in these lists (they're data driven, oftentimes without much thought put into what the data means...hence buffalo being #2) I thought it was fairly accurate. it obviously biases towards small cities (COL) but of the smaller cities, I'd put pittsburgh at the top of that list. of course, I doubt anyone actually moves based on a list, but I guess they help generate some interest.
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[rhondee]

That's great but the number one reason why people don't want to move here is b/c of the weather, which obviously that is not one of the areas they score when ranking a city.

[SteelCityRising]

Most of the reasons listed are exactly why I'm in the process of relocating to Pittsburgh from Washington, DC. Middle-class professionals are finding it increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to afford a nice home here. Pittsburgh's salaries are relatively strong when contrasted against the city's dirt cheap cost-of-living. A $3,000 salary cut, and I'll be living more comfortably IN the city of Pittsburgh vs. in the far-flung suburbs of Northern Virginia. Not a bad deal in my eyes.

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by RestonRunner86

Most of the reasons listed are exactly why I'm in the process of relocating to Pittsburgh from Washington, DC. Middle-class professionals are finding it increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to afford a nice home here. Pittsburgh's salaries are relatively strong when contrasted against the city's dirt cheap cost-of-living. A $3,000 salary cut, and I'll be living more comfortably IN the city of Pittsburgh vs. in the far-flung suburbs of Northern Virginia. Not a bad deal in my eyes.

Pittsburgh is also one of the few cities where it's cheaper to buy a house in the city (even the nicer areas) as opposed to the suburbs.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

Pittsburgh is also one of the few cities where it's cheaper to buy a house in the city (even the nicer areas) as opposed to the suburbs.

That's because people still think "city = icky" in Pittsburgh, as shown by the horrible population nosedive. I don't get it.

[varmintblaster]

ahhh Reston - you forgot to factor in the 3% earned income tax that the city of Pittsburgh levies on its residents - that may be another reason why folks choose the outlying areas.

looks like you just incurred a bit more than a $3,000 salary cut...

I figured a govt accountant would be more thorough with his research,,,LOL

[DaBurgh]

Some of that cost will be made up by having a shorter commute to work, no parking costs, less time spent in the car... also a shorter trip to activities within the city

[BrianTH]

Higher housing and transportation costs can easily outweigh the difference in earned income tax rates (particularly if you don't assume the value of your time is zero).

By the way, I find these lists interesting in part because I think they give some insight into what some other people are thinking about these days. This list, for example, emphasized in part the concept of stability versus boom-bust cycles--you could see why that would have some appeal under the current circumstances and recent history.

[lifepgh2op]

As for the 3% income tax in the city... aren't property taxes cheaper in the city? Or if you buy right now in the city, isn't there some kind of tax incentive where you don't have to pay them for a couple years or something?

If that's the case, the suburbs may have 1% income tax, but we make up for it in property taxes (mostly school taxes).

[Geeo]

Even with a 3% tax in the city, I still come out ahead because my commuting costs are so low. I save more than that on gasoline every year. Plus I don't have to pay separately for trash pick-up, EMS, or fire protection. And I have all the amenities I would be coming in for at my doorstep. It works for me.