S/N Neutral city on NE Corridor: Baltimore or Wilmington? (crime, income)

[Joe84323]

From VA to South Philly (140 miles,) you go from distinctively southern to distinctively northern speech patterns. Where is the middle?

I have come to the conclusion that it has to be either Baltimore or Wilmington. I found some natives on youtube to consider:


Baltimore:
Avg. Household income: $38k
2009 Crime Index: 702 (city-data.)


Young, Caucasian


Middle Aged, AA


Older, Caucasian



Wilmington:

Avg. Household income: $34k
2009 Crime Index: 760 (city-data)


Young, AA


Middle Aged, Caucasian


Elderly, Caucasian

[annie_himself]

Some would argue that NOVA is distinctively not southern in it's speech patterns.

[gwillyfromphilly]

Both cities have more of a northern influence in speech pattern. A better example would be cities in Northern Virginia like Arlington, VA.

[Joe84323]

Originally Posted by gwillyfromphilly

Both cities have more of a northern influence in speech pattern. A better example would be cities in Northern Virginia like Arlington, VA.

I hear a little bit of southern in Baltimore's speech, and I hear a little bit of Philly in Wilmington's.. maybe it's my ears.