Moving to the East Coast: DC metro, Boston metro, or NY-tri state area? (house, tech jobs)

[richardwhitman]

To provide some context I have grown up my entire life in Texas. I am a 26 year old, single male with no kids. I am an atheist, gun-lover (who believes in some gun control), veteran, and I find that my politics are somewhere in between libertarian and (what is often referred to as a) liberal. I have a computer science degree and will be looking for tech jobs. I love to run. I hate people who are elitist about their education. I would like to think of myself as a friendly person, and want to live somewhere where the people are also friendly (or at least smile if someone says hello).


I was wondering which area I would feel most comfortable in. I am leaning towards the DC or Boston areas. I want to be somewhere where I can hop on a train and travel to other big eastern cities (e.g., NYC, Montreal). I also want to own my own house and not have to pay $300k+ for it (which is why I am also not leaning toward the NY area). I would like to live in a state whose politics weren't dominate by either peaceniks or jingos.


Other stuff (if it helps):
(1) I am the product of an interracial marriage (one parent is an immigrant); I don't want live anywhere xenophobic.
(2) I would sooner move to Canada than move to California (make of that what you will).
(3) I like to think of myself as a pragmatic left-winger.

[usernameunavailable]

Originally Posted by richardwhitman

To provide some context I have grown up my entire life in Texas. I am a 26 year old, single male with no kids. I am an atheist, gun-lover (who believes in some gun control), veteran, and I find that my politics are somewhere in between libertarian and (what is often referred to as a) liberal. I have a computer science degree and will be looking for tech jobs. I love to run. I hate people who are elitist about their education. I would like to think of myself as a friendly person, and want to live somewhere where the people are also friendly (or at least smile if someone says hello).


I was wondering which area I would feel most comfortable in. I am leaning towards the DC or Boston areas. I want to be somewhere where I can hop on a train and travel to other big eastern cities (e.g., NYC, Montreal). I also want to own my own house and not have to pay $300k+ for it (which is why I am also not leaning toward the NY area). I would like to live in a state whose politics weren't dominate by either peaceniks or jingos.


Other stuff (if it helps):
(1) I am the product of an interracial marriage (one parent is an immigrant); I don't want live anywhere xenophobic.
(2) I would sooner move to Canada than move to California (make of that what you will).
(3) I like to think of myself as a pragmatic left-winger.

Is their a reason Philly isn't on here?

[RunD1987]

I say NYC, Rochester NY/Upstate NY, Pensylvania, New Hampshire, and Maine

[richardwhitman]

Originally Posted by usernameunavailable

Is their a reason Philly isn't on here?

I have never heard of there being much in the way of tech jobs there. It has also struck me as the least hip of the four, and so I am afraid that I have never really given it any thought. Although admittedly, I may be ultimately mistaken by doing so.

[ayoskillz]

Dont move to ct. That would be the worse mistake of yoyr life

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by usernameunavailable

Is their a reason Philly isn't on here?

Same. Why isn't Philly on the list? It's a pretty liberal city and diverse. Has many of the same amenities as the others. Has good pub transit. Has cheaper housing than NYC, Boston or DC. Although housing costs are going up.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Same. Why isn't Philly on the list? It's a pretty liberal city and diverse. Has many of the same amenities as the others. Has good pub transit. Has cheaper housing than NYC, Boston or DC. Although housing costs are going up.

Philly doesn't have anywhere near the number of tech jobs, isn't the bargain it once was and has a pretty small footprint in terms of hip areas.

[Ant131531]

The housing is going to kill you in all of these cities listed. I mean, we're talking about the most expensive metros in the country.

I'd look into Philly as well.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by richardwhitman

To provide some context I have grown up my entire life in Texas. I am a 26 year old, single male with no kids. I am an atheist, gun-lover (who believes in some gun control), veteran, and I find that my politics are somewhere in between libertarian and (what is often referred to as a) liberal. I have a computer science degree and will be looking for tech jobs. I love to run. I hate people who are elitist about their education. I would like to think of myself as a friendly person, and want to live somewhere where the people are also friendly (or at least smile if someone says hello).


I was wondering which area I would feel most comfortable in. I am leaning towards the DC or Boston areas. I want to be somewhere where I can hop on a train and travel to other big eastern cities (e.g., NYC, Montreal). I also want to own my own house and not have to pay $300k+ for it (which is why I am also not leaning toward the NY area). I would like to live in a state whose politics weren't dominate by either peaceniks or jingos.


Other stuff (if it helps):
(1) I am the product of an interracial marriage (one parent is an immigrant); I don't want live anywhere xenophobic.
(2) I would sooner move to Canada than move to California (make of that what you will).
(3) I like to think of myself as a pragmatic left-winger.

The very liberal/progressive (and diverse) Maryland suburbs of Silver Spring-Glenmont-Forest Glen offer desirable homes in the 250K-300K bracket and place you in close proximity to DC and the Metro Red Line which offers easy access to DC and Maryland tech employers or transfer to Orange or Blue line trains into Northern Virginia's tech hubs.

A bit about the demographics..."As of the 2010 census, there were 71,452 people, 28,837 households, and 15,684 families residing in the Silver Spring CDP. The population density was 9,021.7 people per square mile (3,485.5/km²). There were 30,522 housing units at an average density of 3,853.8 per square mile (1,488.9/km²). The racial makeup of the community was 45.7% Caucasian, 27.8% Black American, 0.6% Indian American, 7.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 13.2% from other races, and 4.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race consist of 26.3% of the population. Like much of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Silver Spring is home to many people of Ethiopian ancestry."

http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Philly doesn't have anywhere near the number of tech jobs, isn't the bargain it once was and has a pretty small footprint in terms of hip areas.

Something tells me that the hip areas in Philadelphia are larger than all of Sanford, FL. Just sayin' .