Not sure where to move. Help. (Pittsburgh, York: apartment, rent, how much)

[tike88]

Hi everyone.

I'm a single white male and turning 22 in April. Right now I'm living near Chambersburg/Hagerstown, on the MD border. I'm looking to move out in an apartment preferably near or in a city. Was thinking of Shippensburg or York at first, but I heard they're just boring and uneventful places. So, i'm looking more in or around Philly or Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, I'm not very familiar with the areas besides visiting friends for the weekend, but from what a remember they seem like great places to be. Basically the point of this thread is; I'm not sure where I should start my life working and living on my own. I have money from friends/family to get me started but I'll need to find a new job in the area, preferably at a restaurant. School isn't a priority right now for me, and I have a car.

I'm originally from Maryland, love that place, just too expensive for me right now.

Any information would be great!

Thanks

[jaysunice]

You probably want to be little more specific:

Rent vs. Buy
Apartment vs. House
How much are you willing to spend?
How far are you willing to travel?

[tike88]

Rent/Apartment/500-900 a month/20 minute max commute I guess.

[selhars]

I'd say just do more research on the cities themselves (Philly vs. Pittsburgh). Not that visits alone give you a WHOLE LOT of info, but can you visit each of them for any length of time before deciding.

Lrd knows, the Philly vs Pittsburgh thing goes way back. You could write a book on that comparison.

Also NOTHING HAS to stay the same after you decide. At 22 -- trust me -- you have plenty of time to live in and try BOTH places. If you pick one and don't like it, try the other.

No matter where you go - those two or elsewhere -- RENT for at LEAST six months to a year before you buy. If in that year you don't like it you're free to relocate.

[TelecasterBlues]

Money goes farther in Pittsburgh, especially if you're renting. I'd give Pittsburgh a go first of all just due to the scenery and location. Philly will be more cosmopolitan, but Pittsburgh is worth checking out first. There's a slew of early 20-somethings running around Pitt/CMU/RMU/Duquesne etc but things get boring for the late 20-30 crowd. I'd definately check out Pittsburgh and park it in an area like Oakland(Pitt), the South Side, etc at your age. Philly would work well for you when you get a little older and are looking for something a bit more grown up. Pittsburgh should be much more "safe" and accessible to somebody your age.

[tike88]

Originally Posted by selhars

I'd say just do more research on the cities themselves (Philly vs. Pittsburgh). Not that visits alone give you a WHOLE LOT of info, but can you visit each of them for any length of time before deciding.

Lrd knows, the Philly vs Pittsburgh thing goes way back. You could write a book on that comparison.

Also NOTHING HAS to stay the same after you decide. At 22 -- trust me -- you have plenty of time to live in and try BOTH places. If you pick one and don't like it, try the other.

No matter where you go - those two or elsewhere -- RENT for at LEAST six months to a year before you buy. If in that year you don't like it you're free to relocate.

Thank you for posting.

[PeterRabbit]

Long thread on Philly vs. Pgh.
//www.city-data.com/forum/penns...ittsburgh.html