EthanFl t1_iugu2f9 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 5:46 AM

Do you really want to live near Baltimore?

Also it's not just the state income tax, there's county/city income tax.

Personally, you should move to where you want to be. And of course where you can comfortably afford to be.

app_priori OP t1_iugu686 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 5:47 AM

Yeah, I'm accounting for the county/city tax too. Taxes would cost me about $100 more per month based on napkin math.

IDK, I am bit burned out on DC and want to try something new but don't want to move too far away.

EthanFl t1_iugv7p0 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 6:02 AM

If you're burned on DC, that might be a reason to move.

Original post focused on the financial benefits of moving. Not a favorable reason to move IMO if you are otherwise happy.

You have friends that moved there, what do they think?

app_priori OP t1_iugvir1 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 6:06 AM

One of my friends bought a house in Baltimore. Same house would have gone for 50% or 75% more in DC. She enjoys living in Baltimore, but for her, moving to Baltimore was the equivalent of moving back home. (She grew up in a rural part of northern Maryland.)

I've visited her in Baltimore twice already, her neighborhood is really nice, has a somewhat similar vibe to Petworth.

GenericReditAccount t1_iuhgfgh wrote on October 31, 2022 at 11:14 AM

I’ve never looked into living in Baltimore, but my impression was that this (real estate) is where the real cost of living difference is.

Like everyone else has said, I’d only move there if you could see yourself living there. Do you love crab? There’s no sense in relocating for $3,000/year savings alone.

On the other hand, if you don’t have anything really anchoring you here, you’re burnt out of DC, and have the financial flexibility to relocate, why the heck not give it a try? Maybe you’ll love it there, and stay regardless of cost of living.