Should I move to BWI?

[New SWA Wife]

All right all you fine pilots. The last thread I started about living in Orlando was incredibly helpful. Housing market, where to live, schools, etc. You all are great. Thank you so much.

Now I'm going to start this again. I'd like to hear opinions about Baltimore. Am I wishy-washy? You bethca! We just want to live by our base so I don't want to shut any doors.

My husband said that there may have been discussions about this before so if there have been I apologize and if you can steer me in the right direction then I'll go read there.

If not, I'd love to hear what you think about the Baltimore area. Looking for an hour commute or less, suburbia type living (is that possible without getting a postage stamp yard?) and anything else you have to offer.

Once again, thank you all and please pray for those being hit by the hurricane today.

the "Whiff"

 

[kelbill]

90% of the folks I know from SWA living in the BWI area live in Pennsylvania. Lower taxes and more bang for the buck with housing. Not a bad commute either driving wise. Some others live in Annapolis, but you would have to deal with a second rate Academy there. BWI is the most junior base and so would do well for hubby careerwise, if you are a northeasterner type. Good luck.

 

[pilot1704]

Baltimore area has one of the most biggest problems in USA

Baltimore area has huge problems with drugs and crimes!

I would consider twice living there!

There has been a lot of things in news about baltimore problems lately!

 

[flyingitalian]

You are really running the risk of moving twice. Seniority changes from base to base because of other factors unkown. Do you live in a base city now? My advice involves two possible moves, but....move somewhere where you want to live now and wait for the upgrade.

 

[T1bubba]

Try this thread, very little has changed...

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=34228

Baltimore area has huge problems with drugs and crimes!

I would consider twice living there!

There has been a lot of things in news about baltimore problems lately!

She was asking about the suburbs, which are pretty much the same as suburbs anywhere else in the country- just more expensive. As long as you stay out of the hood it's not an issue (from someone who lives downtown).

 

[miles otoole]

Baltimore area has huge problems with drugs and crimes!

I would consider twice living there!

There has been a lot of things in news about baltimore problems lately!

Ummmmmm, you don't have to live in the airport parking garage. Or, were you referring to the neighborhood called 1600 Pennsylvania Ave in DC?

Suburban PA home prices and commuting traffic is increasing exponentially as commuters from NYC, Philly, and Baltimore look for cheaper homes. 5 years from now you might like the home price appreciation in PA, but hate the traffic.

 

[JetDude]

I just moved to TX from the Mid-Atlantic area at the end of June. I lived there 7 of the last 10 years. While I liked living there overall, the cost of living can get high. Housing can be very expensive depending on where you choose to live.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

BWI is the same as any other east coast large city. You dont want to live in the hood but you can no longer afford to live in the nice suburbs (at least not on a pilot salary)

Look out in to PA or DE - its a further drive but possibly affordable and better taxes.

 

[320AV8R]

I lived in Pasadena, MD (just SE of BWI) for almost 7 years. Very nice, but expensive. I would reccomend living outside the Baltimore beltway, anywhere from BWI south to Annapolis, or out west in Columbia. Be ready for very expensive living....in most respects, and it increases the closer you get to the water.

The eastern shore, (across the bridge from Annapolis), used to be a bit cheaper, but was getting more expensive. The same with DE.

Another thought is Frederick, MD about 45 mins west of BWI. A very nice town, outside of the crowded metro area. Even out there, it's gonna cost you.

320AV8R

 

[mongopilot]

90% of the folks I know from SWA living in the BWI area live in Pennsylvania. Lower taxes and more bang for the buck with housing. Not a bad commute either driving wise. Some others live in Annapolis, but you would have to deal with a second rate Academy there. BWI is the most junior base and so would do well for hubby careerwise, if you are a northeasterner type. Good luck.

I didn't know the AFA was located in Annapolis, I could have sworn it was in
C Springs Hey, u knew someone was going to take the bait on that one.

 

[F16TJ]

Bwi?

All right all you fine pilots. The last thread I started about living in Orlando was incredibly helpful. Housing market, where to live, schools, etc. You all are great. Thank you so much.

Now I'm going to start this again. I'd like to hear opinions about Baltimore. Am I wishy-washy? You bethca! We just want to live by our base so I don't want to shut any doors.

My husband said that there may have been discussions about this before so if there have been I apologize and if you can steer me in the right direction then I'll go read there.

If not, I'd love to hear what you think about the Baltimore area. Looking for an hour commute or less, suburbia type living (is that possible without getting a postage stamp yard?) and anything else you have to offer.

Once again, thank you all and please pray for those being hit by the hurricane today.

the "Whiff"

Whiff,

I live down in Calvert County, MD. It's a great area and I/we (the family) really like living here. However, as noted above, it is expensive. I'm fortunate in that I'm finishing up my AF career at Andrews AFB and my pay the last two years has been WWAAYY more than beginning FO pay at any airline. So, I'm already established in the area.

Pro's to my area:
Well within reserve callout time, I'm forty driving miles south of the terminal and it takes about 50 minutes to get to the terminal. Not a lot of snow due to the Bay keeping things moderate.

Great area with lots of good, safe schools, great community structures for kids sports and team opportunites. It's basically a bedroom community to the DC area and most folks commute in to DC.

Most of the home lots are on a min of an acre. Lots of trees. Great seafood, since it's between the Patuxent River and the Bay. Lots of outdoor things to do for the adults and the kids.

Close to the big cities.

Con's:
Expensive. My wife and I are already talking about moving to PA if I get hired to reduce the tax burden.

Starting to get crowded. QOL is good here and it's bringing people in, county is working to control the growth.

Did I mention that it is expensive to live here? Never thought I'd pay as much for a house, as I did for the house I have now. However, it has been a great "investment".

Bottom line, we love it here, but I have my AF retirement to help out and we already have our house.

Good luck in your decision and congrats on getting on with SWA.

 

[miles otoole]

I didn't know the AFA was located in Annapolis, I could have sworn it was in
C Springs Hey, u knew someone was going to take the bait on that one.

She meant in elevation only.

 

[str8upflyrght]

i was born and raised in Baltimore (contemplating relocating back). there are some nice areas in the immediate Baltimore suburbs, as well as within the city. Some of the nicer areas of Baltimore are Roland Park, Guilford, Homewood; Baltimore County (all within 45 minutes of BWI) - Towson, Pikesville, Reisterstown, Owings Mills.

i'll be the 1st one to tell you the city has some problems, but so does every major city in the US. It's a great area with some nice schools. Good luck in your search.

 

[miles otoole]

You had better make sure you don't mind all 4 seasons. While Spring ang Fall are spectacular, and the summer, while HUMID (which you have in MCO), you do have beaches, the winter is typically long, overcast, cold and wet. If I were you, I'd come up during fall and take a look around.

You are also 2.5 to NYC, 2.5 to VA Beach, 2.5 to the Smokies, etc. In Orlando, 2.5 hours will take you to a beach or Disney World.
The kids will dig the mid atlantic and if they are half smart enough, you can send them to that 2nd rate welfare school on the water while you and the hubby sit on the porch deciding which beach house to spend their college money on.

 

[SWA/FO]

What About Mdw, Baby?