might be working in Frederick...

[r_u_a_wizard]

Originally Posted by Steven P.

Probably meant $950, which sounds about right for a decent 1-bedroom downtown.

yeah that's what seems right, judging from what i've seen.

i checked out downtown frederick today and i was very pleasantly surprised at how nice it was.

[StayLucky]

Originally Posted by r_u_a_wizard

yeah that's what seems right, judging from what i've seen.

i checked out downtown frederick today and i was very pleasantly surprised at how nice it was.

Glad you enjoyed it. Good luck with your decision, and feel free to ask if you have any more questions.

[moparknighthawk]

Originally Posted by r_u_a_wizard

yeah that's what seems right, judging from what i've seen.

i checked out downtown frederick today and i was very pleasantly surprised at how nice it was.

I really enjoy downtown Frederick. I've lived in the Frederick County area all my life. (45 years so far) I do like the overall area a lot. Its changes quite a bit, but still has the same charm I am used to.

[r_u_a_wizard]

what's complicating things is a pending job offer in pittsburgh for significantly more money.

anyone want to chime in on pittsburgh vs. frederick?

i really liked frederick a lot (and the proximity to the dc area/home and family is very nice) and ive only been to pitt once when i was about 5 years old. the job there also seems like it would be a lot more stressful, but the extra money would be nice

[StayLucky]

Originally Posted by r_u_a_wizard

what's complicating things is a pending job offer in pittsburgh for significantly more money.

anyone want to chime in on pittsburgh vs. frederick?

i really liked frederick a lot (and the proximity to the dc area/home and family is very nice) and ive only been to pitt once when i was about 5 years old. the job there also seems like it would be a lot more stressful, but the extra money would be nice

I'm actually moving to Pittsburgh in the fall for school, so I hopefully can help a little bit. There are some similarities between the two, as both are traditionally working-class cities, but Frederick has become a lot more diversified over the past two decades, with middle and upper-middle class people moving outward from the DC area for the lower cost of housing, while still commuting to Montgomery County, DC, etc. Pittsburgh has kept its working-class roots a lot more prominently, but it has done a fantastic job of diversifying economically in the last couple of decades. The nice thing about Pittsburgh is that is has great amenities for a city its size but has a lower cost of living than most major cities. There are certainly pros and cons to both. Personally, my philosophy is do whatever job you enjoy the most, since that's where you spend the bulk of your life. Money is nice, but if you think the job is better/less stressful in Frederick, I'd take the job in Frederick, if you liked downtown and could see yourself living there. One nice thing about Frederick over Pittsburgh is proximity to tons of other places for day trips/nightlife (DC, Baltimore, Philly, all sorts of state parks, etc.)

[r_u_a_wizard]

Originally Posted by Steven P.

I'm actually moving to Pittsburgh in the fall for school, so I hopefully can help a little bit. There are some similarities between the two, as both are traditionally working-class cities, but Frederick has become a lot more diversified over the past two decades, with middle and upper-middle class people moving outward from the DC area for the lower cost of housing, while still commuting to Montgomery County, DC, etc. Pittsburgh has kept its working-class roots a lot more prominently, but it has done a fantastic job of diversifying economically in the last couple of decades. The nice thing about Pittsburgh is that is has great amenities for a city its size but has a lower cost of living than most major cities. There are certainly pros and cons to both. Personally, my philosophy is do whatever job you enjoy the most, since that's where you spend the bulk of your life. Money is nice, but if you think the job is better/less stressful in Frederick, I'd take the job in Frederick, if you liked downtown and could see yourself living there. One nice thing about Frederick over Pittsburgh is proximity to tons of other places for day trips/nightlife (DC, Baltimore, Philly, all sorts of state parks, etc.)

Ok great. I really appreciate the advice.

Any safety concerns in the downtown area? It seemed like there were some sketchy looking individuals hanging around S Market st. I found that weird because there were also a lot of 20something year old girls walking around that looked like they had some $$ to spend (the type you find in swarms in Georgetown)

[StayLucky]

Originally Posted by r_u_a_wizard

Ok great. I really appreciate the advice.

Any safety concerns in the downtown area? It seemed like there were some sketchy looking individuals hanging around S Market st. I found that weird because there were also a lot of 20something year old girls walking around that looked like they had some $$ to spend (the type you find in swarms in Georgetown)

Not really many safety concerns. You'll see some sketchy types walking around certain blocks but if you leave them alone they'll generally leave you alone. There's the occasional break-in or mugging but it's rather rare. The two streets that people will tell you to avoid downtown are South St and All Saints St, and I'd generally agree to an extent, but I wouldn't hesitate to live pretty much anywhere downtown if you found a decent place at the right price, assuming you have basic street smarts. There's nowhere in Frederick that even comes close to rivaling the bad neighborhoods of DC, Baltimore, etc. You'll find that there is a pretty diverse mix of people downtown.

[r_u_a_wizard]

im checking out several apartments downtown tomorrow. very excited

[StayLucky]

Originally Posted by r_u_a_wizard

im checking out several apartments downtown tomorrow. very excited

Congrats, and welcome to Frederick. If the job is better in Frederick, I agree with your choice, as much as I love Pittsburgh. Too much of life is spent working to hate where you work. Feel free to ask if you have any more questions.

[r_u_a_wizard]

Originally Posted by Steven P.

Congrats, and welcome to Frederick. If the job is better in Frederick, I agree with your choice, as much as I love Pittsburgh. Too much of life is spent working to hate where you work. Feel free to ask if you have any more questions.

well, it turns out that job fell through. even though last week they basically told me it was mine if i wanted it. so that makes my choice easier!