Anyone Live In The City? (1 Viewer)

[James Daulton]

A while back I posted a Living On The Water Thread.  My timetable is sometime after the new year.  Want to see what Congress does to state and local taxes and interest deductibility before I move.  Now while I work in Annapolis and have focused my attention on that area, a new player has entered the game.  Baltimore City.  Specifically the Federal Hill area of the city.  Was there 2 weekends ago on a house tours thing with the wife and I had forgotten just how much I love the hustle, bustle, and vibrancy of the city.  I'd always wanted to move there but when I was older (60's say).

While this move wouldn't help my commute (still 40 - 45 minutes) nor my wanting to be on the water, city living would add a dimension of adventure and fun I hadn't thought about for this time in my life.  And the kicker is I could get a sweet, rennovated, 3k sq ft townhouse for like $200k less than I would have to pay to get on the water.

Pros and cons for those who live in the city?  And yes, I know that The Wire was filmed in Baltimore, I'll do my best to avoid Stringer, Avon, Marlo, and Especially Omar. 

 

[The General]

Don’t live in the downtown part of Seattle per se but one if the neighborhoods that compose Seattle. Am able walk/bike to grocery stores, bars, breweries, restaurants, etc. 

My ideal setup would be to live in this type of area with a cabin in another part of the country. We are in a house now, wouldn’t mind going to a condo, townhome, loft type place as we got older that is even more centrally located.

 

[Redwes25]

I live in Brooklyn and love it. Great to be able to walk to everything and have a short commute to my office. 

 

[Christo]

I live in Brooklyn and love it. Great to be able to walk to everything and have a short commute to my office. 

Same. I live in The City of Chicago. Love it.

 

[urbanhack]

I lived in Chicago for 24 years, NYC for 3 and just moved to Portland.  All 3 places have been in the city, but most of them have been in neighborhoods close to downtown.  We just bought a house on the North side of Portland that I wouldn't classify as living in the city.  It's a sleepy street and I now have a yard and a garage for the first time since high school after living in apartments and condos for the last 25 years.  I'm enjoying the change, but will probably be ready to go back to condo living in a few years.  I'd go back to NYC in heartbeat if we both found jobs that would allow us to afford it.

 

[James Daulton]

Yea, I wouldn't be able to walk to work but I'd be able to walk pretty much everywhere else.  Both stadiums are easy walks and a ton of shops, bars, restaurants, etc.  Been in the burbs my whole life, really tempted. 

 

[urbanhack]

Yea, I wouldn't be able to walk to work but I'd be able to walk pretty much everywhere else.  Both stadiums are easy walks and a ton of shops, bars, restaurants, etc.  Been in the burbs my whole life, really tempted. 

Do it.

 

[Brony]

I have some friends that are scoping out the retirement setup as a property in BFE with a cabin close to no one.  I'm the complete opposite.  Would love to get back to the city and walk to restaurants, bars and 24 hour burrito places. 

 

[jamny]

We live in Queens so it's not exactly "the city" as far as Manhattan is concerned but I consider it the best of both worlds. I can be at Grand Central Station in a half hour but we're far enough away to have some peace and quiet. Everything we need is within walking distance, I rarely drive. Probably about a dozen restaurants within a 2 mile walk and shopping for anything we need even closer. But the neighborhood is a nice quiet family atmosphere, with a great park only a couple of blocks away.

 

[msudaisy26]

Sounds like you have no idea what you want, stay put until you figure it out.

 

[Josie Maran]

Do it.

 

[James Daulton]

Sounds like you have no idea what you want, stay put until you figure it out.

I'm staying put for a few months at least.  I'm just getting an idea of what my options are.  We may end up staying and getting a condo at the beach.  Spring is when I'll decide for sure. 

 

[El Floppo]

Are we talking Baltimore or just any city?

Because I think we're all full here in NYC... Sorry.

 

[James Daulton]

Are we talking Baltimore or just any city?

Because I think we're all full here in NYC... Sorry.

Screw you Floppo.  You know you'd love me to move to NYC. 

 

[El Floppo]

Screw you Floppo.  You know you'd love me to move to NYC. 

 

[modogg]

Are we talking Baltimore or just any city?

Because I think we're all full here in NYC... Sorry.

yeah, was wondering the same thing. There are still a few citiies in the U.S., and everything hasn't moved to the 'burbs.

and if you are heading to Baltimore and meet a guy named Omar, you want to get on his good side. @Clorox this is your neck of the woods now right? any thoughts?

 

[James Daulton]

I'm talking about moving to Fed Hill in Baltimore only.  

 

[Clorox]

yeah, was wondering the same thing. There are still a few citiies in the U.S., and everything hasn't moved to the 'burbs.

and if you are heading to Baltimore and meet a guy named Omar, you want to get on his good side. @Clorox this is your neck of the woods now right? any thoughts?

Yup, we’ve been living here since last March and love it. We are about a mile or so from Federal Hill and go there quite a bit. I proposed to my fiancé on the hill. Still learning the place, but happy to answer any questions @James Daulton

 

[ClownCausedChaos2]

A while back I posted a Living On The Water Thread.  My timetable is sometime after the new year.  Want to see what Congress does to state and local taxes and interest deductibility before I move.  Now while I work in Annapolis and have focused my attention on that area, a new player has entered the game.  Baltimore City.  Specifically the Federal Hill area of the city.  Was there 2 weekends ago on a house tours thing with the wife and I had forgotten just how much I love the hustle, bustle, and vibrancy of the city.  I'd always wanted to move there but when I was older (60's say).

While this move wouldn't help my commute (still 40 - 45 minutes) nor my wanting to be on the water, city living would add a dimension of adventure and fun I hadn't thought about for this time in my life.  And the kicker is I could get a sweet, rennovated, 3k sq ft townhouse for like $200k less than I would have to pay to get on the water.

Pros and cons for those who live in the city?  And yes, I know that The Wire was filmed in Baltimore, I'll do my best to avoid Stringer, Avon, Marlo, and Especially Omar. 

That's how much my house cost and you're talking about getting that much off the price of yours.

I miss talking to you, buddy.  How have you been?  I've missed you.  Let's be friends again.

 

[El Floppo]

Screw you Floppo.  You know you'd love me to move to NYC. 

ok...I've lived in Manhattan (NYC) for most of the last 30 years, plus a couple year stint in SF (I grew up in the suburbs there).

Pros:

-walkability/proximity of all your needs 

-diversity of culture, people, ideas, food, everything;

-expansiveness of culture, arts, food, people, everything.

-energized environment and people

Cons:

-sensory pollution: noise, garbage, smell, unwanted proximity of people all the time.

-expensive

-we all have unwritten laws ingrained in our daily lives- our commute, eating out, getting around, etc- with more people, there's more liklihood (I think) of those unwritten rules getting trampled more frequently. more people with a diversity of culture means more chance of a conflict of cultures that rubs you the wrong way. doesn't have to be a bad thing, but for those of us/you set in your ways... it can be a challenge.

-outdoors, nature, quiet, me-time less accessible (depending on the city).

and stay to the gadgedamned right.

 

[James Daulton]

That's how much my house cost and you're talking about getting that much off the price of yours.

I miss talking to you, buddy.  How have you been?  I've missed you.  Let's be friends again.

If you'd come by more often we could chit chat, but no, you're barely here anymore.   :(

And as you love to say, I'm old so therefore I should be able to afford more for a house.  Duh.

Tell the wife I said hi.

 

[James Daulton]

ok...I've lived in Manhattan (NYC) for most of the last 30 years, plus a couple year stint in SF (I grew up in the suburbs there).

Pros:

-walkability/proximity of all your needs 

-diversity of culture, people, ideas, food, everything;

-expansiveness of culture, arts, food, people, everything.

-energized environment and people

Cons:

-sensory pollution: noise, garbage, smell, unwanted proximity of people all the time.

-expensive

-we all have unwritten laws ingrained in our daily lives- our commute, eating out, getting around, etc- with more people, there's more liklihood (I think) of those unwritten rules getting trampled more frequently. more people with a diversity of culture means more chance of a conflict of cultures that rubs you the wrong way. doesn't have to be a bad thing, but for those of us/you set in your ways... it can be a challenge.

-outdoors, nature, quiet, me-time less accessible (depending on the city).

and stay to the gadgedamned right.

Your pros and cons fit perfectly with how I see them.  I would miss my pool and gardens during the spring and summer for sure, but I've enjoyed those for 15 years and think the energy of living in the city would offset that.  Like I said, I'm not going anywhere until the Spring, but here are the options as I currently see them:

1.  Stay put and spend some dough updating and remodeling our current house.  

2.  Stay put and get a place in Ocean City Maryland

3.  Move near Annapolis on the water

4.  Move to Federal Hill

Each have their own pros and cons and there are huge differences in what our financial situation would be with each.  And only one addresses my 45 minute commute issue but maybe I just have to give on that.  Hell the wife bought me an Audible subscription to make my commute "fun!"

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I have some friends that are scoping out the retirement setup as a property in BFE with a cabin close to no one.  I'm the complete opposite.  Would love to get back to the city and walk to restaurants, bars and 24 hour burrito places. 

Not that either is likely, but I'd rather go out in a blaze of gunfire than be locked out of my cabin and get eaten by a pack of coyotes.

 

[El Floppo]

Your pros and cons fit perfectly with how I see them.  I would miss my pool and gardens during the spring and summer for sure, but I've enjoyed those for 15 years and think the energy of living in the city would offset that.  Like I said, I'm not going anywhere until the Spring, but here are the options as I currently see them:

1.  Stay put and spend some dough updating and remodeling our current house.  

2.  Stay put and get a place in Ocean City Maryland

3.  Move near Annapolis on the water

4.  Move to Federal Hill

Each have their own pros and cons and there are huge differences in what our financial situation would be with each.  And only one addresses my 45 minute commute issue but maybe I just have to give on that.  Hell the wife bought me an Audible subscription to make my commute "fun!"

for what it's worth, I had a work policy going for a long time where I'd only take jobs I could walk to. citibike (bike-share) here has vastly expanded that.

city living takes a fair bit of getting used to- the unrelenting proximity of others part more than anything else IMO. but I obviously like something about it... I think. 

OC, gb? my inlaws have places near there... nice beaches (assateague, particularly) but yikes. my white trashy inlaws call it the white trash riviera

 

[James Daulton]

for what it's worth, I had a work policy going for a long time where I'd only take jobs I could walk to. citibike (bike-share) here has vastly expanded that.

city living takes a fair bit of getting used to- the unrelenting proximity of others part more than anything else IMO. but I obviously like something about it... I think. 

OC, gb? my inlaws have places near there... nice beaches (assateague, particularly) but yikes. my white trashy inlaws call it the white trash riviera

The boardwalk and lower streets are certainly white trashy, but the higher streets near Fenwick are very nice with lots of great condos with either an ocean or bay view.  The beach is wide and if you're in the right spot, not too crowded.  The wife is a big fan of this option.

And as everyone can probably tell, I'm feeling very restless and want to do something different while I'm still young enough to really get the most out of it. 

 

[E-Z Glider]

I dont get the "energy" thing that you guys are talking about. For me, that would fall under the category of "sensory pollution".

I do love walking / riding my bike rather than driving though. It's one of the things I really miss about college life, and one of the things I love about going to the beach for vacation. Maybe you should move to a nice college town or beach-town instead? Something down south though, not any of the NJ / DelMarVa beaches.

 

[James Daulton]

I dont get the "energy" thing that you guys are talking about. For me, that would fall under the category of "sensory pollution".

I do love walking / riding my bike rather than driving though. It's one of the things I really miss about college life, and one of the things I love about going to the beach for vacation. Maybe you should move to a nice college town or beach-town instead? Something down south though, not any of the NJ / DelMarVa beaches.

I work in Annapolis and can't cyber commute so the places I can live are limited.  The above is also a pro of getting a condo at the beach which is about 2 1/2 hours away from my house and 2 hours from work.  

 

[El Floppo]

I dont get the "energy" thing that you guys are talking about. For me, that would fall under the category of "sensory pollution".

I do love walking / riding my bike rather than driving though. It's one of the things I really miss about college life, and one of the things I love about going to the beach for vacation. Maybe you should move to a nice college town or beach-town instead? Something down south though, not any of the NJ / DelMarVa beaches.

NYC used to be a place you'd come to because you had to be here, not because you just wanted to hang out. it was a place that people looking to kick butt in their industries felt compelled to move to- fashion, arts, finance, advertising... quite a lot of professions. there was an energy here from all those people striving to prove themselves that was tangible, in a way that was different than the easier to live in SF. 

the city and that energy has changed I think because it's safer, cleaner and just easier. you get the young post-grads who come here now just wanting to hang out... not necessarily because they're driven in their field. those people used to get chewed up and spit out but can now lead aimlessly comfortable existences here (albeit shacked up with multiple roommates due to rents). maybe part of the energy was the vigilance required to keep yourself safe- always on edge. 

one of my best college friends who grew up here and still lives here always used to tell people who asked "it's more intense". yeah. the intensity was palpable and for many overwhelming.

 

[E-Z Glider]

NYC used to be a place you'd come to because you had to be here, not because you just wanted to hang out. it was a place that people looking to kick butt in their industries felt compelled to move to- fashion, arts, finance, advertising... quite a lot of professions. there was an energy here from all those people striving to prove themselves that was tangible, in a way that was different than the easier to live in SF. 

the city and that energy has changed I think because it's safer, cleaner and just easier. you get the young post-grads who come here now just wanting to hang out... not necessarily because they're driven in their field. those people used to get chewed up and spit out but can now lead aimlessly comfortable existences here (albeit shacked up with multiple roommates due to rents). maybe part of the energy was the vigilance required to keep yourself safe- always on edge. 

one of my best college friends who grew up here and still lives here always used to tell people who asked "it's more intense". yeah. the intensity was palpable and for many overwhelming.

Oh professional energy, that makes more sense. I can see how that would be a pro for someone looking to advance in their field. I thought you meant energy from walking around in the hustle and bustle of crowds all the time. That would be draining to me. 

JD - How about option 5. Stay put for home/work and travel more for vacations? Every time I think about investing in a vacation place somewhere I come back to this option.

 

[El Floppo]

Oh professional energy, that makes more sense. I can see how that would be a pro for someone looking to advance in their field. I thought you meant energy from walking around in the hustle and bustle of crowds all the time. That would be draining to me. 

JD - How about option 5. Stay put for home/work and travel more for vacations? Every time I think about investing in a vacation place somewhere I come back to this option.

both, tbh.

but the walking around hustle/bustle energy was much different here than in SF or other cities I've been in. like my friend said- more intense. and I think it had to do with the energy of the people hustling and bustling- they were here for very specific intense needs and it translated to how they navigated the city. and unless you were tapped into it, yeah- definitely draining. my friends that would come to try to live here without specific intent usually lasted 6mo tops.