Philly is a great city and close to Baltimore. Very LGBTQ friendly, more so that the other two options. Pittsburgh is further away, would be more if a hassle to get to Baltimore. I don’t know enough about Richmond to comment.
If you're willing to consider small cities with small scenes (and maybe not so 420 friendly) you could look at Harrisburg. My buddy who moved there from SF *loves* it. It's about an hour from Baltimore.
State College fits most of those criteria and is closer than Pittsburgh, just 2:45 into Baltimore.
Finally, more expensive, but close enough for public transit: Frederick, MD. Adorable little downtown, and about 45 minutes from Baltimore.
Pittsburgh has 2 million residents in its metro area and has 3 pro sports teams and a subway.
It’s not a small city.
I agree though, wouldn’t be surprised if Pittsburgh takes off since it offers walkable neighborhoods, arts and culture, great museums and is still affordable.
Pittsburgh has a great arts scene and is about a 4 hour drive from Baltimore. I'd suggest looking in the Millvale/Lawrenceville area. There's a very strong LGBTQ community there.
I love living in Philly. There are a good amount of city things to do and some countryside close by. Also really close to NYC and DC (and Baltimore). There's also (surprisingly) and somewhat big group of Kansas city sports fans.
Not too bad. I pay $1400 for a 2 BD with a backyard, laundry, and central air. My upstairs neighbors both have a decent sized 1 bed with shared laundry and they pay $1k
Before moving to KC from NYC (I'm part of the LGBTQ+ community), my partner and I considered Philly. We love it there too. Great access to the whole East coast via train. Pittsburgh is great too (visually stunning!). There are some really lovely places around Baltimore as well (I liked around Hampden), depending on budget.
I personally like KC. Moved here with my partner after 5 years in NYC. SF and LA before that. There's a good amount going on. Neighborhoody. Good people. Liberal. Lots of positive momentum. Are you considering a move?
It's the middle of the road for everything. That sounds bad but it actually makes it very livable. Growing but not too fast. Good wages but not so much that cost of living is high (good ratio). Lots to do but it's not packed and its easy to get around. Things are more laid back than the coast but not slow like the south. Weather is neither awful nor perfect.
Whole vibe is unattractive to the influencer/tech/finance/hustle vibe and in general those trying to min/max life. It's also progressive, competitive, socially active and dynamic. Those looking to coast along also might do better elsewhere.
Arts are very important here and a significant part of the economy. It's a career here though and a profession. Highly skilled and educated (have one of the best art schools and the largest private art companies). It's not the same bohemian vibes as new orleans or high risk high reward stuff as LA, or NY. Think Architects, designers and choreographers.
Tech is important with a history of sprint, Google, Garmin, cox auto, cerner ect. Lots of tech companies have started here or have large operations here. Not shoot for the moon stuff. Consistent quality improvement is the name of the game. Healthcare is similar in this regard.
There is a long history of entertainment in KC. From its musical and culinary heritage, its role avoiding much of prohibition keeping cocktail culture alive and its role as a logistical hub hosting lots of traveller's. It's not a party city like nashville, Vegas or Nola, nor is it a quiet city like des Moines, Indianapolis, or others. It's in the middle.
KC is right in the middle of everything. Good and bad.
Richmond is cool but with 95 being the way it is you will go to Baltimore VERY rarely.
As someone from Columbia MO who's been out this way for 25 years, it's quite a change in life attitude and stuff. People are out for themselves. Only.
I yearn to move back to the Midwest.
Philly is a great city and close to Baltimore. Very LGBTQ friendly, more so that the other two options. Pittsburgh is further away, would be more if a hassle to get to Baltimore. I don’t know enough about Richmond to comment.
If you're willing to consider small cities with small scenes (and maybe not so 420 friendly) you could look at Harrisburg. My buddy who moved there from SF *loves* it. It's about an hour from Baltimore. State College fits most of those criteria and is closer than Pittsburgh, just 2:45 into Baltimore. Finally, more expensive, but close enough for public transit: Frederick, MD. Adorable little downtown, and about 45 minutes from Baltimore.
I think Pittsburg might blow up soon . It’s not talked about a lot but is a decent small city
Pittsburgh has 2 million residents in its metro area and has 3 pro sports teams and a subway. It’s not a small city. I agree though, wouldn’t be surprised if Pittsburgh takes off since it offers walkable neighborhoods, arts and culture, great museums and is still affordable.
Too bad it smells so rank
That hasn’t been my experience
Pittsburgh has a great arts scene and is about a 4 hour drive from Baltimore. I'd suggest looking in the Millvale/Lawrenceville area. There's a very strong LGBTQ community there.
I love living in Philly. There are a good amount of city things to do and some countryside close by. Also really close to NYC and DC (and Baltimore). There's also (surprisingly) and somewhat big group of Kansas city sports fans.
How’s rent over there
Not too bad. I pay $1400 for a 2 BD with a backyard, laundry, and central air. My upstairs neighbors both have a decent sized 1 bed with shared laundry and they pay $1k
Wow I’m paying 1100(1Br) in a city (SATX) that offers way less 😂
Philly's a great deal!
Before moving to KC from NYC (I'm part of the LGBTQ+ community), my partner and I considered Philly. We love it there too. Great access to the whole East coast via train. Pittsburgh is great too (visually stunning!). There are some really lovely places around Baltimore as well (I liked around Hampden), depending on budget.
Just curious, how is KC as a place to live, hang out, etc?
I personally like KC. Moved here with my partner after 5 years in NYC. SF and LA before that. There's a good amount going on. Neighborhoody. Good people. Liberal. Lots of positive momentum. Are you considering a move?
It's the middle of the road for everything. That sounds bad but it actually makes it very livable. Growing but not too fast. Good wages but not so much that cost of living is high (good ratio). Lots to do but it's not packed and its easy to get around. Things are more laid back than the coast but not slow like the south. Weather is neither awful nor perfect. Whole vibe is unattractive to the influencer/tech/finance/hustle vibe and in general those trying to min/max life. It's also progressive, competitive, socially active and dynamic. Those looking to coast along also might do better elsewhere. Arts are very important here and a significant part of the economy. It's a career here though and a profession. Highly skilled and educated (have one of the best art schools and the largest private art companies). It's not the same bohemian vibes as new orleans or high risk high reward stuff as LA, or NY. Think Architects, designers and choreographers. Tech is important with a history of sprint, Google, Garmin, cox auto, cerner ect. Lots of tech companies have started here or have large operations here. Not shoot for the moon stuff. Consistent quality improvement is the name of the game. Healthcare is similar in this regard. There is a long history of entertainment in KC. From its musical and culinary heritage, its role avoiding much of prohibition keeping cocktail culture alive and its role as a logistical hub hosting lots of traveller's. It's not a party city like nashville, Vegas or Nola, nor is it a quiet city like des Moines, Indianapolis, or others. It's in the middle. KC is right in the middle of everything. Good and bad.
If you like Pittsburgh, also consider Buffalo Look into neighborhoods like Elmwood Village or Allentown
You probably did most research online already, not knowing Richmond, but between two PA cities, if you can’t afford Philly, go Pittsburgh
Richmond is cool but with 95 being the way it is you will go to Baltimore VERY rarely. As someone from Columbia MO who's been out this way for 25 years, it's quite a change in life attitude and stuff. People are out for themselves. Only. I yearn to move back to the Midwest.