Maryland or Massachusetts?

[Pie]

Originally Posted by Radar

I don't think I could live in Taxachussets or Maryland. Especially as a Yankee fan and someone who isn't fond of our federal government.

Yabbut, they have the best job opportunities in our line of work. (My other possibilities are Huntsville, Colorado Springs, or Dallas.)
AND I don't give a rat's ass about professional sports of any kind. I don't particularly like the feds either, and I counted that as a smirch on MD, not Boston.

[Radar]

It was on MD, not Boston. Boston would be a great place if it weren't in Taxachussets and they got rid of the Red Sox.

From the choices you listed, I'd pick Colorado Springs.

[Pie]

Originally Posted by Ibram

For Columbia, honestly, it's the people I liked most, but columbia has a little personality at least. the 'village center' design ensures convenience, and also helps build a little more 'community' with events and stuff. Plus, with WAY harsh limits on signage and billboards and stuff, it's pretty damn good looking for suburbia.

I will agree that Columbia's prettier than the average suburb.
I think my perfect location would be a cross between Seattle (in the summer!), Portland, Oregon, and Portland, Maine. Unfortunately, Seattle does have The Rainy Season, and Portland has a dearth of the types of jobs we're looking for. Maine has SNOW. However, you can drive there from Boston!

[jinx]

The Boston burbs are pretty nasty, so the city would be the only way to go. The public trans worked out well for us when we visited, it's already been mentioned how awful the traffic and parking are (worst I've ever experienced).
Jim threatened to get a job there recently so I looked into real estate and decided we were not going to live there.

Wait a minute - I might have just changed my mind.

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by Pie

I think my perfect location would be a cross between Seattle (in the summer!), Portland, Oregon, and Portland, Maine.

I'm sorry, did you say Austin? 'Cause that's what it sounded like you said.

[classicman]

Boston Sux and Md is at least drivable to the cellar BBQ's in the summer

[Pie]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

I'm sorry, did you say Austin? 'Cause that's what it sounded like you said.

Too 'effin hot in Texas. I am a defective Indian. I don't like the heat, and I don't like rice. I realize Austin is an oasis of blue in a sea of red, but even that can't overcome the karma of the Republic of Texas. I have been there once or twice; nice enough to visit...

[Clodfobble]

You and Ibram, man, I swear...

[xoxoxoBruce]

See, see, Texans swear.

[BigV]

Originally Posted by Pie

I will agree that Columbia's prettier than the average suburb.
I think my perfect location would be a cross between Seattle (in the summer!), Portland, Oregon, and Portland, Maine. Unfortunately, Seattle does have The Rainy Season, and Portland has a dearth of the types of jobs we're looking for. Maine has SNOW. However, you can drive there from Boston!

Please come. But bring your foul weather gear for June...

Originally Posted by some local weather blog posted yesterday

As for the chilly weather, the great chill of spring 2008 is about to write another chapter. I don't think I've ever seen a heat advisory issued in January, but here we have a Heavy Snow Warning issued for the mountains this June. As much as 10-12" could fall in the mountains by Tuesday morning.

Even Snoqualmie and Stevens Pass are expecting snow overnight, although road temperature are warm enough that actual accumulations on the roadways are expected to be limited, but the snow itself can make for poor driving conditions with low visibility. And add in the fact that you're probably not really used to driving in snow in June.

Aside from the chill, it'll be unseasonably windy as well. We're expecting wind gusts to 30-35 mph in the city, and perhaps gusts to 40 mph along the coast and North Sound. Again, for January, we don't even raise an eyebrow at that, but in June, that's newsworthy. If nothing else, the trees will be confused.

For those tracking the chilly stats, Through Sunday, Seattle's average high temperature is still stuck at 57.2 degrees -- this is a full 5 degrees below the record coldest average for June and over 12 degrees below the normal average high, although it's highly unlikely we'll stay this cool the entire month. So far, we've only had one day this month be over 60 degrees.

Some other records: This is the coldest first 8 days of June in Seattle history. Also, Seattle has never gone the first 12 days of June under 65. That record is in jeopardy, but will be close.

Long range models do at least creep us up into the upper 60s by the end of the week. Perhaps warm enough for an iced coffee? 68 might feel like 88 by then

Yes, forecast was for two feet of snow in the mountains today, and last night the wind blew treetops down. The parking lot is littered with blowdown debris. It's not really really cold, but it's a lot more like November than June.

*sigh*

[glatt]

You wanna talk about weather? Columbia MD is currently 99 degrees, according to Wunderground.

On the water's edge in Boston, it's a perfect 74.4. (just ignore the fact that in the city center it's 99.6)

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by glatt

Columbia MD is currently 99 degrees,

See? See?! I knew there were places as hot as Texas.

I mean, we still win, because this is our third day in a row over 100 degrees and it's not even noon yet, but MD deserves a pat on the back at least...

[elSicomoro]

If it were me, I would choose Columbia and live in Baltimore. Columbia is a nice area and has a lot of stuff, though it still feels like typical suburbia to me. Baltimore is a very underrated city, much like Philadelphia. The commute to Columbia would be like 30-45 minutes, and you can take MARC to Columbia from the city. Weather is about the same as it is in NJ, and the traffic would also be about the same.

Baltimore and its suburbs (I'd say Columbia is more Baltimore than DC, though I've seen DC folks try to claim it too) have character, and the cost-of-living is lower than Boston (and DC...and probably your part of NJ for that matter). I like Boston, but I don't know if I'd want to live there for both the reasons Bruce mentioned and that shit might be piled too much on top of each other for me.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Pie

Yabbut, they have the best job opportunities in our line of work. (My other possibilities are Huntsville, Colorado Springs, or Dallas.)
AND I don't give a rat's ass about professional sports of any kind. I don't particularly like the feds either, and I counted that as a smirch on MD, not Boston.

Huntsville is a great place to live. More smart people concentrated there than most cities in the US. I like Huntsville.

[Perry Winkle]

I'm with sycamore. Baltimore is great. Try to live in the actual city, not out in the county...