Baltimore, Philadelphia, or Raleigh

[movin2Reston]

No, not looking to commute to our existing jobs. Maybe initially during the transition, but definitely not looking at a permanent commute.

Originally Posted by MrRational

If you have you gotten past that whole "the job comes first and determines which city" question...
so you are now looking to commute to your existing DC jobs from the Baltimore area...

You'll find that pretty much all of Baltimore is Gay "tolerant" with some areas
(like the ones you listed above with bigger Gay populations) are out and out Gay "friendly".

All that said... when looking for a place to make your new home in B'more...
focus on the MARC line down to DC commute issues ahead of anything else.

In that vein... "vacation" in B'more for some weekday stays and do the commute thing.
Find a few motels in different areas and see exactly what you're up against to make it work logistically
and then what your evening life is like after you're "home" and done the daily grind.

hth

[trickymost]

If you work in defense contracting, I can't think of a reason why you'd want to move to Philadelphia or to Raleigh, irrespective of the qualities which may make them desirable for your relocation situation.

This is especially true looking forward, as defense budgets get cut. If I were in your shoes, and planned on remaining in that industry, I'd want to be close to the federal government.

That said, traffic is the only real downside to living in Baltimore (city or county) for the places you mentioned. I live in Baltimore and my work is in Northern VA (fortunately I can telecommute most of the time), and I'm not going to make any point about the commute.

What you should consider is that traffic in Baltimore is bad and getting worse. There was an important 10 year study recently about traffic trends nationally, and by 2020 Baltimore was #1 on the list, due to expected population and job growth but lack of any decent infrastructure. On another traffic study I recall Baltimore was either #2 or #3 by 2020, behind Chicago maybe?

Yes, Baltimore will eventually be far worse than northern VA. Compared to the DC area, Baltimore lacks the transportation options to offload people from the roads. We don't have HOV lanes, we don't have the metro, the bus system is sub-par (compared to other metropolitan areas), there's virtually no way of getting across the area on foot or on bicycle, and there are major construction project about to begin which should've been completed 10 years ago, and will ensure the interstates are a mess for the next several years no matter where you are heading.

If you get lucky - the traffic issue won't be a problem for you. Maybe you get a job @ APG. Maybe you live near the MARC station and can commute into DC proper.

But, when you talk about lifestyle it can be a big deal and something you should see for yourself during the workweek before you make a decision to live here.

GLTY!

[RRS2010]

Raleigh most definitely or anywhere in the Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill/Carborro). I lived there for a decade and in Baltimore for 5 years - both have pros and cons but I am relocating back to Raleigh due to low cost of living and just a nice place in general. Highly, highly recommend it.

Carrboro is a great place right by UNC-Chapel Hill. A pocket of blue in a sea of red, politically. Very opened minded place. I would say that would be the place to live as a gay couple.

[movin2Reston]

So you are moving from Baltimore back to Raleigh? Besides lower cost of living, any other determining factors?

Originally Posted by RRS2010

Raleigh most definitely or anywhere in the Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill/Carborro). I lived there for a decade and in Baltimore for 5 years - both have pros and cons but I am relocating back to Raleigh due to low cost of living and just a nice place in general. Highly, highly recommend it.

Carrboro is a great place right by UNC-Chapel Hill. A pocket of blue in a sea of red, politically. Very opened minded place. I would say that would be the place to live as a gay couple.