Baltimore or Washington D.C.

[pwright1]

Which city would you live in?

[willrusso]

Baltimore all the way. DC is a fake city that was planned around a central plan. What is D.C. considered anyways? A city or a state or a principality? What the hell is Columbia? Baltimore grew and evolved the old fashioned way. Besides, D.C. has that height limit.............it would have an AWESOME skyline if it wasn't for that.

[robert parsons]

Baltimore is by far the better chioce hands down. The best is got to be the diverse architecture, the worst is the transit . Hopfully that will soon change!!!

[Flatiron]

Baltimore--DC blows like a typhoon in a porno parlor.

[FerrariEnzo]

DC anyday.

[Furiine]

DC is more of a tourist trap and business center than a bedroom community. DC's roads/traffic suck (rush hour is so horrible everywhere and the city's roads are poor,) many of east's buildings are dilapidated and crime seems to be worse in DC. DC still has much more open space and west DC seems to be nicely renovated. Baltimore seems more diverse, fun, looks more like a city, is pushing for new apartments and renovated houses, and can reach all the DC attractions in a 45 minute car ride.

[pwright1]

I chose D.C. of course. I grew up in D.C. After moving away and coming back for a visit I realized how conservative it is. Kind of boring in a way. I still love the wide streets, history and the architecture though. Baltimore seems more down to earth, funkier and blue collar. Oh yeah, and housing is much cheaper in Baltimore.

[StevenW]

Baltimore. :D

[Ron C]

Baltimore.

Actually, I really like both cities, but as others have mentioned, Baltimore seems to be more "real" and a nicer place to live--"Land of Pleasant Living" and all that. Just ask John Waters.

And the trip from Baltimore to DC is fairly easy if you ever want to go there--whether by car or train. (I've even taken a jet plane from Baltimore to DC. I think it was a flight from Seattle that stopped at BWI before going on to National. Though it was only a 10 minute hop, they still had to run through all the stuff about seatbelts and flotation devices; they didn't serve any peanuts or drinks, though.)

[Balmerfan]

Baltimore all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hood]

You're dollar goes way farther in baltimore too.

I am biased. I guess if I was loaded I would like DC better.

[scando]

No question about it, Baltimore. It's cheaper, less frantic, not part of the altenate reality of the Federal government and generally more relaxed and less self-important. There's lots more to do in DC, but anytime I'm in the mood, I can take a $12 round trip in a MARC train to Union Station and then a subway trip to whatever. Over the years, everybody I knew that lived in DC wanted to find a way to live in Baltimore while keeping their job in DC. In spite of countless trips to DC for business and pleasure, so much that it's a home away from home, I'm always glad to be back in Baltimore at the end of the day.

[ebck120]

DC definetely! more going on, better nitelife, better shopping, more culture, etc...... baltimore is great but its all about preference.....
bang for you buck hmmmmm but if you got it then who cares...... i like DC -)

[samsonyuen]

Washington by a landslide! Washington has everything Baltimore has and more! (except baseball) There's no comparison to the beauty and power to comes from being the capitol. No comparison.

[LibertyTwo]

All these people saying Baltimore, have they been to Baltimore???

Baltimore and DC are two totally different places...Bmore is much more blue collar than DC, and thus brings with it a little more edge than DC does, outside of SE and NE...but if you count NW DC and the mall area DC by far is better than Bmore...outside the inner harbour Bmore has little to do...DC has DuPont, Adams Morgan, Cap Hill, Virginia/Shirlington, Alexandria downtown, Arlington/Crystal City...Bmore has just the inner harbour district...I mean Bmore is not bad, but why would you want to live there?? I know people who work in Bmore and live in DC/Rockville area...and commute everyday because Bmore sucks

Discounting tourists and such...DC city might not be the best place to live outside of NW, but Alexandria/Arlington and MD burbs and far superior to anything Bmore has to offer...

[fanofterps]

Liberty Two,

Have you fell into the tourist trap also. The best places to live and eat in Baltimore now are Canton, Locust Point, Federal Hill, Fells Point and Charles St. Canton has as many or more places to eat than Adams Morgan. The Inner Harbor is full of chain/tourist resturaunts.

As much as I hit to admit it Liberty, I agree that Washington is nicer than Baltimore. It is a 24 hour city. Although, I disagree that Baltimore sucks.It has alot going on downtown You need to visit downtown Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Charlotte for downtowns that need signifcant improvement.The problem with Washington is that most homes are $1 million or more so it excludes many people from living there. You really need an incomes of $200,000 plus.

In the past year, there have been 6,000 new upscale homes in downtown Baltimore proposed. Most will run from $400,000 to $800,000.I think more and more D.C people will consider Baltimore due to price. I know developers will target the DC population. The Ritz Carlton- Baltimore just broke ground on 165 condo's and I heard DC is a major target group. Also, when the Four Season's Baltimore breaks ground next month, they will target DC for the condo's.


All these people saying Baltimore, have they been to Baltimore???

Baltimore and DC are two totally different places...Bmore is much more blue collar than DC, and thus brings with it a little more edge than DC does, outside of SE and NE...but if you count NW DC and the mall area DC by far is better than Bmore...outside the inner harbour Bmore has little to do...DC has DuPont, Adams Morgan, Cap Hill, Virginia/Shirlington, Alexandria downtown, Arlington/Crystal City...Bmore has just the inner harbour district...I mean Bmore is not bad, but why would you want to live there?? I know people who work in Bmore and live in DC/Rockville area...and commute everyday because Bmore sucks

Discounting tourists and such...DC city might not be the best place to live outside of NW, but Alexandria/Arlington and MD burbs and far superior to anything Bmore has to offer...

[StevenW]

It's a pretty harsh statement to say ANY city sucks. Sucks? If you believe a city needs an improvment in an area or some areas then just say that. I've learned that allot of negative statements, such as: sucks, can come back to bite you in some way. Civil conversation beats making enemies any day of the week.

I prefer Baltimore because it is an average true UNITED STATES OF AMERICA city. It is a blue collar town with a great history. It's trying to reinvent it'sself like allot of other USA cities, now. DC is our Nation's Capital, for crying out loud. It has representatives of all the States there AND other world reps, too. If Baltimore had all the money and clout that DC had, for development, on ALL levels, then Baltimore would have been a 24 hour city A LONG TIME AGO!
Baltimore competes with two AWESOME Powerhouse cities REALLY close by: DC and Philly. WOW! Philly is one of our country's first important cities on historical and economical levels. DC, well, as I said earlier, is our Nation's capital. Add to the fact that NYC isn't too far off and Boston, well....... Baltimore has ALLOT of compitition indeed. Look at all the big east coast cities/ports. WHOA! DC would be nice to live there if you had the $ to spend. Baltimore is the more bang-for-your-buck city, IMO.
I think that is the REAL difference. Both cities offer ENOUGH to do 24/7 if you look hard enough. ;)
I've been to both cities many times before. I know. :)

[fanofterps]

I agree Baltimore gets grouped in with DC, New York and Philly because of its location. Baltimore has so much historical character. The old rehabbed row homes of Federal Hill, Canton, Fells Point, Mt Vernon, Locust Point, etc..
Add the sea port where 30 to 40 lunch and dinner cruises leave each day and Little Italy, Babe Ruths home, National Aquarium, Science Center and Children's Museum. This town does not suck.


It's a pretty harsh statement to say ANY city sucks. Sucks? If you believe a city needs an improvment in an area or some areas then just say that. I've learned that allot of negative statements, such as: sucks, can come back to bite you in some way. Civil conversation beats making enemies any day of the week.

I prefer Baltimore because it is an average true UNITED STATES OF AMERICA city. It is a blue collar town with a great history. It's trying to reinvent it'sself like allot of other USA cities, now. DC is our Nation's Capital, for crying out loud. It has representatives of all the States there AND other world reps, too. If Baltimore had all the money and clout that DC had, for development, on ALL levels, then Baltimore would have been a 24 hour city A LONG TIME AGO!
Baltimore competes with two AWESOME Powerhouse cities REALLY close by: DC and Philly. WOW! Philly is one of our country's first important cities on historical and economical levels. DC, well, as I said earlier, is our Nation's capital. Add to the fact that NYC isn't too far off and Boston, well....... Baltimore has ALLOT of compitition indeed. Look at all the big east coast cities/ports. WHOA! DC would be nice to live there if you had the $ to spend. Baltimore is the more bang-for-your-buck city, IMO.
I think that is the REAL difference. Both cities offer ENOUGH to do 24/7 if you look hard enough. ;)
I've been to both cities many times before. I know. :)

[Ron C]

All these people saying Baltimore, have they been to Baltimore???

Baltimore and DC are two totally different places...Bmore is much more blue collar than DC, and thus brings with it a little more edge than DC does, outside of SE and NE...but if you count NW DC and the mall area DC by far is better than Bmore...outside the inner harbour Bmore has little to do...DC has DuPont, Adams Morgan, Cap Hill, Virginia/Shirlington, Alexandria downtown, Arlington/Crystal City...Bmore has just the inner harbour district...I mean Bmore is not bad, but why would you want to live there?? I know people who work in Bmore and live in DC/Rockville area...and commute everyday because Bmore sucks

Discounting tourists and such...DC city might not be the best place to live outside of NW, but Alexandria/Arlington and MD burbs and far superior to anything Bmore has to offer...

In fact, of course, more people work in the DC area and live in the Balto area than the other way around.

Regardless, your message clearly shows how little you know about Baltimore. As a former New Yorker who came to Baltimore to attend college and decided to stay forever, trust me, there is more than enough to do here. I don't consider myself particularly cosmopolitan, but I have, or have had at one time or another, season tickets to the MLB Orioles, NFL Ravens, Mechanic/Hippodrome theaters (Broadway road shows), Center Stage (regional theater), and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. I have attended ballet, opera, major art shows, rock concerts, NCAA basketball and lacrosse championship tournaments—all in Baltimore. My family eats out regularly in fairly nice restaurants. I live in a 170 year-old house in a great old historic neighborhood.

Trust me, if you can't find enough to do in Baltimore, you are either a little dull-witted or just not trying.

[Baltimoreguy]

Liberty Two. Have you ever been to North Central Baltimore City? The neighborhoods of Guilford, Roland Park, Homeland, Popular Hill, Cederacorft, and Mt Washignton. The mansions go for miles and all inside the city limits. 1000's of mansions and about 1/2 the price of the same homes in DC. There is also Ten Hills on the SouthWest Side is also nice with homes on 1/2 acre lots. As for the Inner City, You can't bet Little Italy, Fells Point, Canton Federal Hill, Locust Point. Baltimore is also a city of neighborhoods while DC is not. In fact DC has little of no neighborhood identiity because of the highly transient population. True, Baltimore does not have anything like Dupont Circle per se. lol Baltimore also has ethnic neighborhoods: Highlandtown (German), Greek Town, Little Italy, Little Lithuania, Fells Point (Polish), a growing Spanish Town, and the largest Jewish popuation east of the Mississippi outside of New York or Miami. DC has Chinatown and the transient embassy row. Big deal. lol

[passdoubt]

DC still has much more open space

Baltimore has a shitload of beautiful and haunting old parks... Druid Hill, Wyman, Patterson, Carroll, Gwynns Falls, etc. Pretty much every neighborhood contiguous to downtown has a park not far away! I think most people find community parks far more productive than all the monumental wastes of space in DC, but I'd be interested as well to see a comparison of amounts of open space in each city. Some of the parks in Baltimore are so big and full of wildlife that you can feel like you're in untouched woodland, miles from civilization.

[90 degrees]

D.C. all the way.Baltimore wishes they could be half as good as D.C. We have everything that Baltimore has and more.D.C. has the exstensive history,beauty,and better people.D.C. is pretty much the most powerful city on Earth.

[Baltimoreguy]

D.C. all the way.Baltimore wishes they could be half as good as D.C. We have everything that Baltimore has and more.D.C. has the exstensive history,beauty,and better people.D.C. is pretty much the most powerful city on Earth.
"Better People"? More like stuck up arrogant. Where do you get off saying the people are better in DC? There are still buildings (even neighborhoods) in Baltimore from the 1700's that predate DC even being laid out. Anyway had to comment on the "Better People" statement. What an A-Hole

[90 degrees]

People in Baltimore are stuck so far up their own asses.People in D.C. are cool and laid back.I know it may sound harsh but it's true.

[Ron C]

People in Baltimore are stuck so far up their own asses.People in D.C. cool are laid back.I know it may sound harsh but it's true.

No, it doesn't sound harsh, just bumptious—oh, and stupid.

[Furiine]

HAHAHA! Ho boy... *wipes tear from eye* That's funny. Baltimore, stuck up? Yeah right. I haven't seen too many stories about other cities getting inspiration from DC like Baltimore has. Almost no one in DC is that down to earth at all. They'd rather jaywalk in front of you while you drive so they can get hit and have a reason to sue you. This is mostly true on New York Avenue. DC withers while Baltimore makes major attempts at renewal that work. DC itself is feeble, unless you're only thinking of the government districts as "powerful." The homocide rate is far worse than Baltimore's and the poverty rate is far greater in DC. And seriously, what does DC have that Baltimore wants? Does DC have an internationally renowned harbor? And what's this? Baltimore built the FIRST Washington Monument? Plus, Baltimore has already been a national capital once before.

[90 degrees]

So what if Baltimore built the first Washington Monument or they were the first national capital.What matters now is the current day.And from what I understand ,Baltimore is no longer the national capital.Just another city...
Oh yeah have you ever heard of National Harbor?Opening in the near future.Hotels,beachs,a convention center.Yeah...

[mjtinmemphis]

I consider DC/Baltimore an "all in one" Metro. Similar to Dallas/Fort Worth, Raleigh/Durham, and Minneapolis/St. Paul. So I can't vote against anyone of them. It must be awsome to live in an area that is so progressive. Not many metro's outside of New York has the same cultural offerings as DC/Baltimore.

[Balmerfan]

:weird: 90 degrees, First of all I would like to point out that the National Harbor project is NOT in DC but located in PG County, MD, THERE IS A DIFFERENCE! I would be more than happy to send you the link so your facts are straight. Second I would also like to point out that Baltimore has a football team located in the city in which they play unlike the redskins which play in the GREAT State of Maryland and are affiliated with DC by name only. Third if DC has everything and more than Baltimore why are they busting their butts trying to get a baseball team when they didn't support the first 2 teams they had? Sounds like there is a little envy there! If you need to put down the citizens of Baltimore to make yourself feel better by all means please do, It just makes our case stronger! Your statements might sound good in your world, but they are just not factual!

[scando]

I consider DC/Baltimore an "all in one" Metro. Similar to Dallas/Fort Worth, Raleigh/Durham, and Minneapolis/St. Paul. So I can't vote against anyone of them. It must be awsome to live in an area that is so progressive. Not many metro's outside of New York has the same cultural offerings as DC/Baltimore.

Baltimore and DC are places with complimentary differences. They are SO different that it is only an accident of geography and demographics that puts them in the same metro area. That, however, is an asset since what one city has, the other doesn't. If you want giant museums (free admission too!) and public monuments and high prices, go to DC. If you want a more "real" place with funky neighborhoods, a great waterfront and local oddness, come to Baltimore. The great thing is that via MARC train, they are only 1 hour apart. I can't think of many places that offer as much. I feel real fortunate that I can enjoy both cities, walk from home to transportation that can take me all the way from home in Baltimore to the mall in DC. All that and I am only 2 miles from rural fields with horses and cornfields.

[scando]

People in Baltimore are stuck so far up their own asses.People in D.C. cool are laid back.I know it may sound harsh but it's true.

Obviously spoken by a person with vast knowledge of the area. The main person that sounds harsh is this writer.

[90 degrees]

Ok but D.C. is still way better.

[jaysonjaz]

I think Baltimore sometimes can suffer from an image problem. Mainly, many people don't know about anything beyond the inner harbor. I moved here from the Philly area three years ago and had no idea all the stuff the city had to offer. Before coming down here I thought the inner harbor was nice, but that was basicly all the city had to offer. Now that I'm here, I love it.

I have heard one person describe the city as the biggest small town in America and I think they're right. Despite the fact that we're one of the larger cities in the county, it just never feels that way when you live here. The neighborhoods here are great. Federal Hill, Fells Point, Canton, Mount Vernon are all top notch areas.

In my own humble opinion Baltimore is so much better.

[MasonsInquiries]

B'more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! D.C. is a town full of nothing more than flat, federal, white-marbled government buildings. B'more has so much going for itself.

[Expat]

Baltimore is a lot more fun - period! DC is beautiful, but Baltimore is more interesting visually.

[*Sweetkisses*]

Baltimore... I'm sick of people using the "D.C is a more powerful city" thing.So?? Since a lot of people dont know that much about Baltimore, it just makes it that much more interesting.

[Evangelion]

Baltimore is funky and edgy??? i didnt think that at all when i went.

everyone is saying Baltimore is better because you get more bang for your buck
yeah true but whocares? if you make enough to enjoy better things is that bad? so i guess Bmore is better then NYC, Chicago as well b/c you get more BANG?

DC, people are cooler (in my opinion), more international, more money flow, more this and that, i dont have hate for yuppies - at least DC people are educated and have money instead of just being born rich (not saying Bmore is like this, i'm comparing to the likes of LA/etc.)

in the end Bmore doesnt offer anything special to differentiate it from many other cities of its size, wherearea DC is a major player/city

[MasonsInquiries]

People in Baltimore are stuck so far up their own asses.People in D.C. are cool and laid back.I know it may sound harsh but it's true.


Here's an example of how dense the people in DC are.

I was on Pennsylvania Avenue in D.C one day & this gentleman from NW washington said to me and said "excuse me, how do you get to BWI airport?" I decided to test him. I said "the airport left." He went home. I couldn't believe it.......LOL!!!!! :wtf: nt home. :bash:

[MasonsInquiries]

Baltimore is a lot more fun - period! DC is beautiful, but Baltimore is more interesting visually.


There ya' have it!!!!! Ya' see that? Even an individual from DC recognizes the beauty of Baltimore!!! Thanks alot Expat!!!!!!!!!! :) :tiasd: :applause: :nocrook: m)) :angel1:

[PeterSmith]

A little sibling rivalry is okay, but a thread like this can only tear the family apart. Baltimore and Washington are brothers, which is why I have stated over and over again that I, along with many others, see them as just parts of the total sum.

Baltimore is like the older brother who had to learn the hard way. His parents made him start paying rent when he turned 18, and his grades suffered because he had to take up a part-time job. Perhaps he put a little too much stock in his rock band and not enough thought into his future. He's only now getting over his drug problem, and his trying to hold on to a job for once in his life.

DC is the shining star of the family - the younger brother who can do no wrong. He's bright, charming and SPOILED. Even though he's very capable himself, it doesn't matter cause he gets everything done for him. He graduated from the same college as his father, joined the same fraternity and is now getting started in the family business.

If DC and Baltimore were a family, that is how I'd bet it would be.

I am a Baltimore native, but I assert that DC has way more to do than Baltimore. I know almost everyone will disagree, but I think DC has way more to do than even New York. It's hard to believe, but once you've experienced DC's museum scene, you will realize what I'm talking about. Baltimore, or any city for that matter, can't compete with DC in terms of stuff. Being the capital it inherently has a lot of STUFF. It also has a lot of culture, fine institutions, worldy people...everything a world-class city should have and more.

But I chose Baltimore. Baltimore is not far behind DC in many of these things. Baltimore has AMAZING cultural institutions, a diverse population, etc. But Baltimore has one thing that puts it over the top. DC is too predictable. DC is the capital. It will always be the capital (I would imagine). When you look at it you see "capital". It has a variety of distinct areas, but when you're there you can't help but thinking "I'm here...in the capital...." With Baltimore you never know. It means something different to everyone, and yet, everyone loves it, regardless. And, for better or for worse, you have no idea what the future holds for Charm City.

[*Sweetkisses*]

Welcome to the board MasonsInquiries(sp?):)

[StevenW]

Baltimore is funky and edgy??? i didnt think that at all when i went.

everyone is saying Baltimore is better because you get more bang for your buck
yeah true but whocares? if you make enough to enjoy better things is that bad? so i guess Bmore is better then NYC, Chicago as well b/c you get more BANG?

DC, people are cooler (in my opinion), more international, more money flow, more this and that, i dont have hate for yuppies - at least DC people are educated and have money instead of just being born rich (not saying Bmore is like this, i'm comparing to the likes of LA/etc.)

in the end Bmore doesnt offer anything special to differentiate it from many other cities of its size, wherearea DC is a major player/city

1.
Well, first of all, how many times have you been to Baltimore? And where did you go and how long did you stay?
To truly understand the, "funkiness and edginess" of Baltimore you have to explore. Have you ever seen a John Water's movie? Hello?

2. The comparison is between Baltimore and DC. Not NYC, Chicago or wherever. Why is the "Bang for your Buck" issue still rolling around anyway. If you want expensive, Baltimore has it too, just not nearly as much as DC. Why is that again? Oh yes, because DC is the Nation's Capital. That's it.
Perhaps the title of this thread is too vague. Maybe we should ask, "Where would you prefer to live and why? Because if you are comparing even DC to NYC or Chicago, (places I've been to before, even lived in Chitown), then DC comes in last. Why not say cities of similiar size?

3. Cooler people in DC? What is YOUR definition of cool anyway? What you may think is cool others may not. Cool is hardly an adjective I would pay attention to in deciding where to go. "more international" I wonder why? Oh yes, I remember, it's the Capital of the WORLD. And you know I'm very glad "DC people are educated". I mean, what kind of mess would our country be in if it were not for their smarts? So, I guess Baltimore people are dummies, huh? City limits vs. city limits. No suburbs. Baltimore stands stronger as an Independant city. If our country decided to change the address of our Nation's Capital to say, St. Louis, you can bet Baltimore would still be standing. DC however, uh, now what would they do?.........hmmmm....

4. "in the end Bmore doesnt offer anything special to differentiate it from many other cities of its size, wherearea DC is a major player/city"

That could not be a more untrue statement than you have made thus far.
Baltimore is not like any other city in this Nation.

Apparently you need to do some more visiting and stay allot longer than your last trip.
Get in contact with some of these guys from the Baltimore forum here. I'm sure they can show you what Baltimore really is like. :)

[jmancuso]

*sniff* *sniff*

...smells like a city v. city thread to me. :lock: