Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or Baltimore?

[Anonymous]

In the last 7 years, I've lived and raised small children in Philly, Bethesda, and Pittsburgh. I've really loved them all. Actually, Bethesda was my least favorite.

In Philly, we lived in a row house in West Philly. We could walk to dozens of great restaurants, a good park, farmers market. I could even walk to my doctor's office. There were kids everywhere. There was a ton of diversity. Philly is a dirty city compared to DC, but it compensates in other ways. We made the best neighborhood friends we ever had in Philly.

I really like Pittsburgh too. We live in the East End, very close to Squirrel Hill. You get the benefits of city living while feeling like you're in the suburbs. I can walk to a couple restaurants, the grocery store, several parks, etc. (but it's not the same density as West Philly) and have a small yard. Pittsburgh is far more safe than Philly and people frequently let their kids roam free (within reason). There are literally groups of kids that go from house to house to dead-end streets playing. People are also much, much nicer in PGH compared to Philly and DC. And the East End is certainly prettier than West Philly (or Bethesda) IMHO.

What are you looking for in a neighborhood? I could tell you more depending on your criteria and/or budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Pittsburgh is creepy as hell. There I said it. It's like the city that got left behind after coal moved on and the children of the corn moved in. PP's friends above probably love it because its cheap.

Philadelphia is dirty. Full stop. Only move/raise if you're living in the equivalent of Arlington to D.C. which isn't the city - i.e. the Main Line

Baltimore - I'd only go there for an investment 'opportunity'.

You picked some pretty bad cities.

You are a complete diot. The whole reason to move to one of those cities is to get away from a crappy, overpriced, charm-free suburb like Arlington.

Philadelphia isn't Washington D.C. There's a difference between moving to a world-class city and a city that can't bother to clean its armpits once in awhile. Which is why the suburbs is the only choice in that scenario. But go ahead, move on down into the city of brotherly love.

DC is world class?? Hahah. I've never heard anyone say that! Have you ever lived outside the US?

Compared to the armpits the OP chose. And really...are we debating DC's status when 28-year-old's are buying $1 million condos blocks from Bezos?

Yeah, because living in a place populated with spoiled rich trust fund babies who jack up the cost of housing anywhere else is every family's dream.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pittsburgh is creepy as hell. There I said it. It's like the city that got left behind after coal moved on and the children of the corn moved in. PP's friends above probably love it because its cheap.

Philadelphia is dirty. Full stop. Only move/raise if you're living in the equivalent of Arlington to D.C. which isn't the city - i.e. the Main Line

Baltimore - I'd only go there for an investment 'opportunity'.

You picked some pretty bad cities.

You are a complete diot. The whole reason to move to one of those cities is to get away from a crappy, overpriced, charm-free suburb like Arlington.

Philadelphia isn't Washington D.C. There's a difference between moving to a world-class city and a city that can't bother to clean its armpits once in awhile. Which is why the suburbs is the only choice in that scenario. But go ahead, move on down into the city of brotherly love.

DC is world class?? Hahah. I've never heard anyone say that! Have you ever lived outside the US?

Compared to the armpits the OP chose. And really...are we debating DC's status when 28-year-old's are buying $1 million condos blocks from Bezos?

The only reason DC isn't a complete backwater is because of the government. And, the rich brats and their money are only in DC because their doting parents would rather have them work a cute little government job instead of sitting in the guesthouse of the family compound getting stoned all day. Most other industrialized countries have their seat of government in real world class cities like London, Paris and Rome, where government is not the only industry. But, we have ours in DC rather than in a real world class city like New York. Lucky us.

[Anonymous]

Agree that Philly is just dirty!

Go with Pittsburgh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree that Philly is just dirty!

Go with Pittsburgh.

Have you been to Chestnut Hill? That is a lovely place and where I grew up. I do agree Pittsburgh would be nice too.

[Anonymous]

I've lived in all three (grew up in Baltimore, lived in Philly and Pittsburgh for about a year each) and I would say Pittsburgh. It's so laid-back and I can see where it would be a great place to grow up. Yes, it is very insular so I can see it being hard to "break in" but Baltimore and Philly are as well.

The big advantage of Philly and Baltimore are the proximity to more airports/other cities, beaches and more job opportunities (you can commute to DC from Baltimore if you have to) but if your job is pretty secure, not an issue.

I love Baltimore as well (grew up near Hampden) and there are some areas of Baltimore that are great for raising kids but if you want to stay in the city, you will most likely need to budget for private school. County schools are good though. I can't really comment on the schools in the other two--didn't have kids when I lived there.

I think all three have their advantages but Philly was a bit rough for me. In some ways, I feel like Philly is more of a "city" than DC. I love going there for a visit but living there was not the best experience--I just never felt safe there. And I say that as someone who grew up in Baltimore City. But there are some really nice suburbs of Philly if you can afford them.

[Anonymous]

Squirrel Hill in Pittsburgh or Mt Lebanon just outside the city would be your best bets for raising a family. Squirrel Hill has great older homes,in the city, is wslkable. Allderdice is probably the best high school in the City and the elementary schools are good too (Mineo?) that said, Mt Lebanon has better schools (although I think the elem kids still come home for lunch) and is walkable.

As much as I love my old stomping grounds of Shadyside, I wouldn't raise a family there. It is a fantastic neighborhood for 20 somethings and other DINKs.

[Anonymous]

If my Mother-in-law didn't live there, I'd move to Pittsburgh in a hot second.

[Anonymous]

Pittsburgh has to be one of the most boring places on earth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pittsburgh has to be one of the most boring places on earth.

Not if you are a doctor. Transplants, ortho, and a few other areas of surgery are best on the whole planet. Plus there is the Duquense Club and Oakmont, which smoke everything not Pine Valley, Augusta and Boodles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pittsburgh has to be one of the most boring places on earth.

Not if you are a doctor. Transplants, ortho, and a few other areas of surgery are best on the whole planet. Plus there is the Duquense Club and Oakmont, which smoke everything not Pine Valley, Augusta and Boodles.

Their transplant program is a shadow of its former self.

Philly (Penn) and Baltimore (Hopkins, UMd) are better for academic medicine.

The biggest negative for Pittsburgh is the weather.

[Anonymous]

The biggest negative for Pittsburgh is it is full of Yinzers.

[Anonymous]

Baltimore.

Gotta have my crabcakes.

[Anonymous]

Pittsburgh outside of a few areas like Fox Chapel and Squirrel Hill...its depressing and isolating in Western PA. Philly for culture.. Baltimore has a lot of culture but less traffic...and people there are a little more southern. I like Baltimore but like Philly....it goes from very good to very bad very quickly if you make a wrong turn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you interested in the city proper, or general metro area? There are nice suburbs in Pittsburgh with decent schools, but no way I'd raise my kids IN the city. There are a lot of great up and coming neighborhoods in city limits for singles/DINKs, but not young families. We considered moving there (DH is from Pittsburgh) but decided against it for that reason.

OP here. I'm open to either, but would prefer a close-in/walkable suburb if I were to go that route.

Squirrel Hill in Pittsburgh.