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Hi, I'm planning to leave SoCal and move back to either the DC area or Philly. I've been fortunate to have lived in both cities (for about 2 years each - but it was a while ago), and I enjoyed my time in each place for different reasons. I'm leaving SoCal because I would like to be less dependent on my car, I appreciate the proximity of east-coast cities to each other and miss the ease of being able to go to Europe to visit family. It will also be a good move for me career-wise. I'm sure things have changed a lot in the last 6 years and would appreciate any opinions/misgivings/feedback. FYI - I don't have kids and will be job-hunting once I move. Thanks for all your input.
Philly is older, taller, darker, and has a slow and clunky subway. DC is newer, shorter, brighter, and has a fast and sleek subway. In other words, I don't think all that much about either one has changed in six years. Well, DC has the Nats...they're new. PHI still has the Phillies, but they do have a new ballpark. DC will too starting next year...
While it may vary based on the industry, generally the job outlook in the DC area is much brighter than that of Philadelphia. You also have two international airports at your disposal for flights to Europe as opposed to Philadelphia's one. As far as how it's changed in the past couple of years, the cost of living has increased in DC in particular, and a good chunk of the city has revitalized; as have parts of Philadelphia but not to the same extent.
Thanks for your input so far...
I would like to eventually settle down so I'm trying to plan for the long-term...I've begun keeping an eye on the(can't afford anything in DC for now, but I might be able to swing it in Philly - will I be able to afford in DC in a year?), I want to live in a progressive and liberal community, I would like access to a decent social and cultural life for a young professional. Having lived in both places, I'm aware of the (basic) architectural differences of both cities, but life as a student (which is my personal experience in either city) is very different from life as a working member of society. These are the distinctions that are making it difficult to make a decision
If its city living you're looking for between these 2 I would definately pick Philadelphia. Far cheaper but seems to offer so much more. What has changed in 6 years is real estate prices and renting apts. in D.C. They have gone through the roof.
I would also vote for Philly. To me it has much more "local color" than DC (whether sports, food, or more "hometown" symphony, museums, and music schools, etc. -- I miss those things from Boston, where I used to live) and will be more affordable. The job outlook will probably be better in DC (watch the classifieds in the local papers), and many jobs are with contractors to the government -- but if you want to buy housing in DC, it will be much more challenging.
I'm sure things have changed a lot in the last 6 years and would appreciate any opinions/misgivings/feedback.
Do not know about Philly, but a lot have changed in DC. Real-estate prices shot up 2-3 times, and demographics in some areas now resembes SoCal more than DC/VA/MD.
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