#Most Instagrammable restaurant in Seattle | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

emilyjoangreene · 7 years ago

Text

3 Perfect Days In Seattle: A Guide

Day 1

Morning Coffee: Elm Coffee Roasters

240 2nd Avenue South | Seattle, WA 98104

If you fly in take the Link (Seattle Public Transit) downtown.

Right when you get off, you can walk a few blocks until you find Elm Coffee.

This place was recommended by new friends I found from Instagram the wide open space is filled with a white marble bar, and tables accompanied by wicker chairs that seem to fit you just right.

Petite pastries lay across the bar. The most tempting are the vegan donuts, although you won't be able to tell the difference.

The coffee has a light, citrus scent to the roasted beans and the pitter patter of feet fill your ears as customers line up for their morning latte. The ambience is very relaxing, light chatter feels comfortable, and is a sweet spot that isn't so touristy (like Original Starbucks, you can go there, too!)

Mid-Day Brunch: Biscuit Bitch

1909 1st Ave | Seattle, WA 98101

Walking down to Pike Place, the infamous marketplace is next. To satisfy the itch to try new food in the city, you can get your southern soul food fix closeby.

The sidewalk is usually lined up with hungry brunchers in line or waiting for one of the (few) coveted tables. The popularity of this place is obvious with people casually walking by end up joining in on the biscuit madness. Biscuit Bitch has all the sass and snarkiness that lives up to its name. The staff has hair all colors of the rainbow, tattoos that dot their arms, and are quirky and loud. I blushed a bit while ordering the “Hot Mess Bitch” but I’ll admit it felt cool to cuss when I ordered.

The Hot Mess Bitch had me exploring every corner of my cardboard to go box (everything is packaged to go). One bite had me chomping down smooth grits with cheese and the next bite I’d get a flavor whirlwind of sausage, jalapeno and biscuit. Every bite was a new experience depending on which ingredients I wanted to combine next.

The Hot Mess Bitch- Biscuit Bitch

The Tourist Trap: Pike Place

It’s one of those places that are cliche and iconic at the same time.The market seems to never change, it still never gets old to go back.

Watch the fishermen throw seafood around or pick out a gorgeous bouquet for $15. There are tons of little stalls that sell fresh fruits, ethnic treats and local produce. Below the market is the gum wall where you can blow a bubble and snap a picture. they tried to power wash it all off a few years ago, but it came back strong with a force. It’s all very touristy, but sometimes the novelties in a city is what makes it fun, right?

Fresh produce and flowers at Pike Place.

The Gum Wall, Pike Place Market

A Taste of Architecture: The Seattle Public Library

This was my new favorite place to discover in Seattle, the architecture blew my mind.

I immediately took the elevator up to the 10th floor and highest viewing point. It’s like no other place I’ve been in before because it is a public space, but at the same time it feels like your own. The endless panes of glass stretch up, over and outwards. Depending on the weather they can give off a blue or gray hue reflecting the sky above.I spent a few hours here, meandering the levels before posting up at a table under the glass roof to get some work done.

The exterior (left) and interior (right) of The Seattle Public Library.

Happy Hour: Rachel’s Ginger Beer

1530 Post Alley | Seattle, WA

One of the most pleasant surprises of the weekend was discovering Rachel’s Ginger Beer.

They have a few locations (including one in Portland, Yay!) Now if you’re a fan of Moscow Mules this place was crafted from your dreams. They have an array of ginger beer that you can drink plain, or get a cocktail. There is one just around the corner from Pike Place in Post Alley. The space was light and bright, the windows were open wide so the breeze from the Puget Sound came rolling in.

After drinks we walked down the hill to the boardwalk where you can go to the aquarium, or ride the Seattle Ferris Wheel.

Top Off the Evening: Sky View Observatory

To end our day we went to the Sky View Observatory for the final hours of light in the city.

Because Seattle is broken up into neighborhoods, it was so cool to have a birds eye view of how it is laid out. We sat by the window and watched the cars on the freeway pass by and stayed up there as a few of the buidlings began to turn their evening lights on.

Looking out from Sky View Observatory.

Day 2

The Donuts of Your Dreams: General Porpoise

1020 E. Union St. | Seattle, WA

As an active donut connoisseur, trying new pastries unique to each city is my FORTE.

So, when I got to try General Porpoise for the first time I was in donut heaven. The space is tucked up in Capitol Hill and is well known for selling out early. There's one big glass case displaying their prized, puffed pastries. The array of flavor fillings include, chocolate, vanilla bean, lemon curd, strawberry rhubarb jelly and other seasonal flavors- although the pickings get slim as the day goes on.

The donuts are fluffy and have a buttery warmness to the dough that contrasts nicely with the cool filling. A new Seattle staple, for me.

A Barista at General Porpoise and donuts

Take a Walk on the West Side: Harbor Drive

1936 Harbor Ave SW | Seattle, WA 98126

Drive over to West Seattle or take the water taxi from downtown. Walk along the boardwalk to see the skyline view of Seattle, lay out in the sun, rent bikes or kayaks. There are some food options, or continue down Harbor Drive for more food, and activities on Alki Beach.

An Afternoon Treat: Frankie and Jo’s

1010 E. Union St. | Seattle WA 98122

A few weeks ago, I saw this picture of a charcoal gray ice cream on Instagram from this place and was immediately set on trying it.

All the ice cream is plant based, aka no dairy. Honestly, it was the best vegan ice cream I’ve tried. We got a mixture of 6 flavors and we all liked the charcoal salted caramel one so much that we went back and bought more of that kind. The flavors are so different and interesting compared the heaviness of some ice cream shops. My top three were the sorbet, the charcoal salted caramel and the strawberry.

Ice Cream at Frankie and Jo’s

Go Green: Volunteer Park Conservatory

1400 E Galer St. | Seattle, WA 98112

Beautiful park to relax in, but can also pay $4 to walk around the giant greenhouse and learn about many exotic plants.

I’ve seen so much about this place online, but it was a dream to see in person.

Walking around Volunteer Park Conservatory

Dinner + Decor: Bar Melusine

1060 E. Union St. |Seattle WA 98122

Filled with some of the most refreshing decor and innovative seating arrangements, this place is an instagrammers dream and a food critics paradise.

Stop here for a happy hour (5-6pm) or dinner. The menu changes every day so you’ll have to see for yourself what the chef has in store.

Bar Melusine

Day 3

Sunday Morning Stroll: Ballard Farmer’s Market

A market filled with vendors selling artisanal goods, fresh baked pastries, vibrant produce, and street musicians.

This is a good start to a Sunday morning where you can meander around, and everyone can try food that they want for a decent price. If you want to sit at a restaurant there are tons around the area. I recomentd The Sexton for a good brunch.

Home Run before going home: A Mariner’s Game

If you have time to attend a sporting match, I highly recommend it. It’s is a great way to feel a part of the city you are visiting.

We went to a Mariners Baseball Game but there is also the Seattle Seahawks (football) and the Seattle Sounders (soccer). If you are down by the stadiums, I recommend Paseo for a sandwhich before heading to the match. The #2 on the menu has been on the FoodNetwork.

I hope this 3 day guide to Seattle gave you some ideas of where to visit in the Emerald City. If you found this helpful, please share!

Cheers,

Emily Joan Greene

725 notes · View notes

wiremagazine · 5 years ago

Text

DESTINATIONS: SPOKANE, WASHINGTON

By Joey Amato

The Pacific Northwest is and has always been one of my favorite places in the country to visit. Natural beauty is around every corner and Spokane is no different. The city, historically overshadowed by Seattle, is going through a bit of a renaissance as of late and creating a vibe and culture that sets itself apart from its larger neighbor to the west.

Begin your tour of Spokane by walking around downtown. Visit Riverfront Park, take a ride on the SkyRide (over the Spokane River) and jump on the Looff Carousel. Yes, I was probably the oldest person riding the carousel, but when in Rome...

An interesting note: Walt Disney tried to purchase the carousel for his Anaheim property but was outbid.

Downtown Spokane is an Instagrammers paradise. A giant red wagon, garbage eating goat, running statues and, of course, the waterfalls make downtown the perfect spot for vacation photos.

The first stop in my downtown tour of the city was Maryhill Winery, a beautiful winery overlooking the river and the perfect place for a tasting of some local wines. Washington state is known for having some of the best wines in the country and Maryhill didn't disappoint. Out of eight wines offered during the tasting, I think I enjoyed all but one. I was also informed that visitors who travel on Alaska Airlines get to check wine for free in the airline's Wine Flies Free program.

Spend your evenings at the Davenport Grand, a 4-star property located in the heart of the city, which provides easy access to all of Spokane's main attractions and dining. Their penthouse suites feature king-size beds with luxury linens, a cozy seating area with electric fireplace and magnificent views of the city. The Grand Terrace Bar is the perfect place to enjoy some happy hour cocktails before heading out on the town.

Grab dinner at Wild Sage Bistro, a wonderful restaurant in the heart of downtown. Being so close to the Pacific, fish should be your top choice. I opted for the Hawaiian Style Poke and Alaskan Halibut, which came pan-seared with basil butter, Walla Walla sweet onion soubise, dressed peas and pickled rhubarb. Wild Sage is a favorite among residents of the 'Lilac City' and I was able to see why.

LGBTQ nightlife is vibrant in Spokane. To catch a glimpse of the local crowd, head to the Blind Buck, one of Spokane's hottest gay bars. I got a chance to meet some of the bartenders, a really cute shot boy and a few of the drag queens. They informed me about a gay Pride cruise in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho that has been going on for over 20 years in conjunction with Spokane Pride. I wasn't originally planning on going on the cruise, but now I needed to see what all the talk was about.

The journey to Coeur d'Alene takes about 45-minutes and is well worth the trip. It is one of the most beautiful places I have visited in recent memory. As I boarded the ship – emblazoned in a huge rainbow flag – I quickly noticed how diverse the crowd was. Every member of the LGBTQ rainbow was represented. Over 200 revelers sipped cocktails and danced on the sun deck as the DJ spun classics from Cyndi Lauper, Madonna and Cher, leading to multiple sing-alongs. The 2-hour cruise took us around Lake Coeur d'Alene, whose shoreline dotted with mega-mansions that would make the Kardashians jealous.

During my visit was Volume Music Fest, a city-wide festival similar to SXSW in Austin. Even Nyne, one of the city's gay bars, was a featured venue for the festival. Nyne is a lesbian-owned establishment that plays host to many drag performances and is usually the place where partygoers end their evening.

If you prefer to keep things a bit more casual, head to another gay bar called Baby Bar. A few years ago, Neko Case, a member of the Canadian indie rock group The New Pornographers called Baby Bar the "best bar in America."

Spokane is also a great destination for adventure seekers. If you want a truly unique experience, book a whitewater rafting excursion with Wiley E. Waters. The 2-hour tour on the Spokane River, which runs through downtown, boasts Class II and III rapids, enough to get the heart rate going and feel the power of the river. For most of the trip, the river was smooth, and you start to let your guard down, but then you turn a corner and are met with raging waters. It was quite exhilarating and enjoyable especially given I didn't fall in the water.

If navigating rapids isn't necessary your thing, visit Mica Moon Zip Tours & Aerial Park in Liberty Lake, just a short drive from downtown. The last time I went zip lining was in Costa Rica, so I was excited to experience this again, although I wasn't ready for the fear that took over my body as I was getting ready to fly hundreds of feet above the ground below. There are about eight lines in total, some longer than others. The last line is aptly named Big Mama, and at 3,500 feet in length, it is one of the longest zip lines in North America.

Spokane is a very cool destination with a thriving culinary, arts and music scene. It may not be as large as Seattle, but that adds to its appeal. Consider the destination for an upcoming adventure.

Enjoy the journey!

Joey Amato is the publisher of Pride Journeys, a website dedicated to LGBTQ travel. Joey has spent over a decade in LGBTQ media and public relations and currently resides in both Nashville, Tennessee and Indianapolis, Indiana. He can be reached at [email protected]

This was originally published in Wire Magazine Issue 16.2019

#wire magazine #wiremag.com #wire #miami #miami beach #south beach #sobe #fort lauderdale #wynwood #wilton manors #gay #lgbt #glbt #destinations #spokane #washingto

0 notes

nightmare-afton-cosplay · 7 years ago

Text

Kindred Cities: Affordable Alternatives to Your Favorite Pricey Places

fergregory/iStock; deberarr/iStock; realtor.com

America’s premier cities seem to have it all: Instagrammable park and city views, edgy bars, oodles of culture, a vibrant and weird street life, shops that sell cookie dough by the scoop. But all that awesomeness comes at a steep price. The harsh reality: Buying or renting into urban meccas like New York, San Francisco, or Denver is increasingly out of reach for many folks.

That’s why so many city-centric millennials, empty nesters, and everyone in between are finding themselves in a gut-wrenching double bind: Should they continue to fork over ludicrously high portions of their paycheck for housing, or throw in the towel and decamp to the suburbs?

Cue the sad violins.

But wait, there’s another option! Why not search out affordable alternatives for urban living—far cheaper cities with many of the same features that made you fall head over heels in the first place? Enter the realtor.com® data team. We distilled the true character of some of the nation’s most expensive metros, to find budget-friendly—and unexpected—counterparts around the country.

Nope, we’re not talking about twin cities, like neighboring Minneapolis and St. Paul. And they’re not sister cities, which are internationally matched to promote a cultural exchange. Instead, think of them as Metro Matchups™ —places that link up to the nation’s urban meccas in critical ways, but where you can buy a home for less than $350,000. Less than $350K!

You’ll never be able to find another New York—sorry, friends, Chicago’s deep-dish pies aren’t actually pizza at all—but you can find a place that offers at least some of the strange allure of the City That Never Sleeps for a fraction of the price. And techies who leave their hearts in San Francisco can still find jobs and happiness in a land where million-dollar teardowns do not prompt bidding wars.

“If you have a shopping list, you know what you want,” says Jody Kahn, the senior vice president of research at John Burns Real Estate Consulting. “You want to move somewhere that would work with your skills. You should also ask yourself: ‘What’s the vibe? Am I going to find people and activities I really enjoy?'”

If you’re leaving one of the United States’ biggest cities, you’re probably not going to move off the grid to somewhere without a reliable Wi-Fi signal (unless that’s your thing). So we limited our ranking to the 150 largest metros. All have median home prices below $350,000, plenty of gigs, and some ethnic diversity. We factored in housing stock, occupations, weather, nightlife, and a whole host of other criteria that help define an urban center’s unique personality:*

Percentage of stand-alone, single-family homes, condos, townhouses, and co-ops listed on realtor.com

Average days of sunshine per year

Dominant employment sectors (finance, government, tourism)

Dominant occupations

Restaurants per capita

Bars and nightlife venues per capita

Art galleries per capita

Number of pro and amateur sports teams

Car ownership rates

Some of our Metro Matchups™ pair up as you might expect. Others might make your jaw drop. But hey, we’ve got the data to back it all up! So let’s get going.

Prices in San Francisco getting you down? Rally to Raleigh!

iStock; realtor.com

San Francisco, CA

Median home list price: $868,000

Matchup: Raleigh, NC

Median home list price: $339,200 Matching metrics: Tech jobs, tech jobs, and did we mention tech jobs?

Let’s be real: There is only one City by the Bay! But if even thinking about your monthly rent or mortgage bill makes you reach for the anti-anxiety meds, you might want to consider … Raleigh.

Hear us out. The metro has the fifth-highest concentration of high-tech jobs in the nation. And the cost of living is just a fraction of that in San Francisco—or any of the other elite urban tech hubs like Boston or Seattle.

That isn’t news to tech start-up founder Matthew Sniff. In 2014, he left his Bay Area developer job to launch Map My Customers, a software app that helps companies optimize field sales in the field. Attractive prices led him to Raleigh, where he could get 1,700 square feet of office space for less than $2,000 per month. And an army of skilled techies kept him there.

“If I had to grade Raleigh, I would say A-plus for the cost of living and quality of life,” says Sniff. He admits the culture and nightlife aren’t quite on a par with S.F., but adds: “It would surprise people how good it is.”

There’s the Contemporary Art Museum in the city’s warehouse district that features emerging talent. And a bar scene with its own brand of quirkiness. The Angus Barn Restaurant features a butt-kicking contraption that does just what it says it will. And Flex, a popular gay club, hosts karaoke every nearly every night of the week, with the occasional drag queen show mixed in. “Islands in the Stream,” anyone?

Runner-up: New Orleans, with its food and nightlife

Trade earthquakes and smog for humidity and Spanish moss.

iStock; realtor.com

Los Angeles, CA

Median home list price: $699,600

Matchup: Savannah, GA

Median home list price: $249,900 Matching metrics: Movie production and beaches

Next time you’re eating butter-doused popcorn at the movies, just remember that film could very well have been made in Savannah. Yep, you heard us right: This is the Hollywood of the South. Savannah ranks No. 3 nationally in actor, producer, and director jobs.

The recent “Baywatch” movie, starring Zac Efron and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, was filmed in the Gothic Southern city, as was Robert De Niro‘s “Dirty Grandpa.” Please don’t blame Savannah for those! Let’s focus instead on Ben Affleck‘s “Live by Night” or Channing Tatum’s “Magic Mike XXL.” Or “Forrest Gump”!

But it wouldn’t be truly Hollywood-esque without a good, old-fashioned celebrity arrest. “Transformers” actor Shia LaBeouf was booked in Savannah for disorderly conduct and public intoxication while on a production break this summer.

The city’s popularity with filmmakers is in part thanks to a tax credit the state began offering in 2008. From 2010 to 2014, filmmakers spent $58 million to produce movies in Savannah, says Trip Tollison, president and CEO of the Savannah Economic Development Authority. They spent $60 million in 2016 alone.

If you plan to relocate, don’t forget to pack your sunscreen. Savannah has some fantastic beaches at Tybee Island.

Runner-up: Las Vegas, with a star-studded nightlife that never stops

Consider South Carolina if you’re finding prices in Honolulu to be a real beach.

iStock; realtor.com

Honolulu, HI

Median home list price: $695,000

Matchup: Myrtle Beach, SC

Median home list price: $235,000 Matching metrics: Gorgeous beaches, scads of tourism jobs

Want to escape the high cost of the 50th state but keep your swim trunks handy?

Myrtle Beach was named one of the top 25 favorite beach towns of 2016 by Travel & Leisure and one of the best family beach vacation spots by U.S. News and World Report. It has a beautiful 60-mile string of beaches dotted with hotels, mini golf courses, and boardwalks.

You might miss the luaus, the sublime surfing, and the soy-and-sesame-bathed raw fish in poke bowls. But you’ll have plenty to do here, and lots more money to do it with. That’s probably why Myrtle Beach welcomed more than 18 million visitors over the summer of 2016.

And if you’re a business owner, you know that vacationers keep the lights on. Myrtle Beach has tons of tourists, with holes burning in their wallets. They’re well advised to hold on tight to those wallets, as the city is known to have a higher-than-average crime rate. But things are getting better, and the place is growing.

Runner-up: Orlando, with off-the-charts tourism, Disney-style

Don’t let a historic NFL rivalry get in the way of your real estate choices.

Getty Images; realtor.com

Denver, CO

Median home list price: $499,500

Matchup: Kansas City, MO

Median home list price: $245,800 Matching metrics: Hipster scenes and car culture

Kansas City is no longer a stodgy Midwestern metropolis. The city’s downtown has been transformed over the last few years, and now it’s home to about 20 breweries. Heck, Kansas City was even the first market to get Google Fiber’s broadband service in 2012, which gave its small tech sector a turbo boost.

Looking for a hipper-than-thou bar? Head out to the Crossroads neighborhood, where you’ll find the Manifesto, a historic watering hole dating to Prohibition that’s now known for its wildly creative mixology. Or try Swordfish Tom’s,��named after singer-songwriter Tom Waits. Now that you have a few cocktails in you, head over to the First Fridays outdoor event to enjoy street music, sidewalk vendors, food trucks, and art exhibits.

Denver refugees don’t have to give up the great outdoors, either. They can hike the Little Blue Trace Trail at Fleming Park, which runs alongside the Little Blue River.

When you’re packing for the move to Kansas City, just make sure to leave behind any uneaten brownies. (Wink, wink.)

Runner-up: Omaha, NE, with its numerous jobs in finance

Want to save some Benjamins? Ride on down from Boston to Philly.

iStock; realtor.com

Boston, MA

Median home list price: $489,500

Matchup: Philadelphia, PA

Median home list price: $249,400 Matching metrics: Historic brownstones, tech and finance gigs galore

We’ve got bad news for Bostonians: It doesn’t matter how many healthy dishes New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady prepares from his fancy new cookbook, the man can’t play forever. But don’t worry, you’ll get some brotherly love where you’re going.

So what if Philadelphia doesn’t win the Super Bowl every year? It’s a darned good sports city in its own right. Indeed, the city is sixth in the nation for pro sports championships, four spots behind Boston. Plus, there’s nothing like eating a Philly cheesesteak at a Phillies game.

“Philly is a great sports town,” says Ed Mastripolito, a cook at Philadium Restaurant & Tavern. “It is a hotbed when the Phillies are winning games. And we have football fans who show up the night before to tailgate for Eagles games.”

Built in a similar colonial era, Philadelphia has housing and city architecture that many a Bostonian would appreciate. The Philadelphia cityscape is a mix of Georgian, Greek Revival, and Victorian architecture.

Rest assured, you wouldn’t be the first Bostonian to leave for Philadelphia. Mr. Hundred-Dollar Bill himself, Benjamin Franklin, did the same almost 300 years ago.

Runner-up: Chicago, another city that goes gaga over its sports franchises and St. Paddy’s Day parades

Ditch the deluge in Seattle for the “Purple Rain” allure of Minneapolis.

iStock; Getty Images; realtor.com

Seattle, WA

Median home list price: $485,000

Matchup: Minneapolis, MN

Median home list price: $311,300 Matching metrics: No shortage of condos, tech jobs, and music legends

Seattle had Kurt Cobain. Minneapolis had Prince. And while these luminaries are gone, their songs live on, just like each city’s music scene.

Live-music aficionados can check out the Soundset Festival in Minneapolis, which draws more than 35,000 fans each year. This year, the event featured performances from Ty Dolla $ign, Travis Scott, and Gucci Mane.

And that’s not where the similarities between the cities end. Minneapolis is a bona fide start-up Eden.

John Malone, a software engineer at Apruve, a local credit network start-up, worked in San Francisco through the dot-com boom. But he left it behind to return to his hometown.

“Minneapolis is comfortable in its own skin,” Malone says. “It’s not a place that feels the need to compare itself with the coasts.”

Runner-up: Philadelphia, with its aerospace industry and fondness for damn good coffee

Love deep-dish but don’t have deep pockets? Chicago may be the place for you.

iStock; realtor.com

New York, NY

Median home list price: $472,500

Matchup: Chicago, IL

Median home list price: $279,700 Matching metrics: Unbeatable nightlife, financial capitals, pizza obsession

You’d think a city with more than 8 million inhabitants crammed into tiny apartments paying astronomical rents might have lots of folks eager to move. But if they did, they’d be giving up so much: Central Park, daily celebrity sightings, 77 Michelin-starred restaurants … also 24-hour subways that keep passengers waiting for ungodly stretches, cat-sized rats, ill-tempered hot dog vendors. OK, maybe there is a reason to leave the Apple. But once you’ve tasted it, where else can you go?

There really is only one more affordable city that could hope to do the city justice: Chicago.

Even the most stubborn New Yorker might be won over by Chi-town. The Chicago skyline is gorgeous, with Willis Tower doing a fine Empire State Building impression. Once a laggard in the foodie department, it’s now home to some of the best America has to offer. They’re just cheaper. And yes, the city also has its own public transportation system. (Sorry, it, too, tends to keep you waiting.)

The two cities are also known for their mob roots. New York had the Five Families. Chicago had the Chicago Outfit and Al Capone. You decide if this is a good thing.

Runner-up: Baltimore, a port city with lots of condos

Portland scene getting a little old? Discover Columbus!

iStock; realtor.com

Portland, OR

Median home list price: $450,000

Matchup: Columbus, OH

Median home list price: $241,300 Matchup metrics: Hipster havens

The warning signs were there: man buns, artisanal pickle shops, and rooftop bars. So the Buckeye State shouldn’t be too surprised that hipsters have invaded their state capital. Yep, Columbus has even fallen for avocado toast.

“Both Columbus and Portland are known for supporting small business and shopping local,” says Shane Prather, a social media coordinator in Columbus. “We both love our brunch, coffee, and craft beer. We take our dogs everywhere around town and love being outdoors whenever possible.”

Nearly 20 craft breweries have opened in Columbus over the past five years. Want a taste? Attend the Columbus Ale Trail, where you’ll try suds from the 37 total breweries located in the city.

Prather recommends that those looking to grab a beer or dinner head to the Short North neighborhood. Squeezed in between downtown and Ohio State University’s campus, it has become a hotbed for millennials, and also hosts the annual Columbus Pride Parade.

Runner-up: Madison, WI, a college town with a funky food and nightlife scene

Racking your dome for DC alternatives? Go from Capitol to capital.

iStock; realtor.com

Washington, D.C.

Median home list price: $429,500

Matchup: Trenton, NJ

Median home list price: $290,000 Matchup metrics: Government jobs rule the roost

On a weekend walk through the nation’s capital, you’ll see the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. They’re beautiful. But are they worth the high price tag you’ll pay each month in rent or for your mortgage? Hey, it’s not easy on many government salaries!

That’s why folks may want to consider Trenton. We know it’s a stretch. But the city has government and nonprofit jobs to spare: Nearly one in three jobs here is in the government sector.

“We’re the capital of New Jersey. So we have lots of state, county, and city government positions,” says George Sowa, CEO of Greater Trenton—a nonprofit that advocates for downtown development. “There is also a federal presence here as well, with Federal Court offices.”

It may not have D.C.’s museums or “House of Cards” power scene. But does the nation’s capital have an annual Pork Roll Festival? (We honestly don’t know.)

Keep in mind it’s only 26 minutes to Philadelphia, about an hour from New York … and if you get really homesick, two hours from D.C. on Amtrak.

Runner-up: Tallahassee, FL, an even more unlikely government-driven economy

Love the sun but coastal weather got you down? Raise your spirits in Phoenix.

iStock; realtor.com

Miami, FL

Median home list price: $387,500

Matchup: Phoenix, AZ

Median home list price: $317,200 Matchup metric: Sunshine and baby boomers baking in it

Hurricanes are becoming more frequent—and the cost of flood insurance isn’t going down. So maybe you’re a little less adamant about keeping your beachfront abode. If that’s the case, give Phoenix a look.

“You’re never going to worry about massive water damage to your house here,” says real estate agent Kristy Ryan of RE/MAX Fine Properties.

Despite lots of development, Phoenix still has some reasonably priced cribs. And nearby Scottsdale has grown its tourism in recent years and is trying to market itself as a party-seekers’ destination.

“There’s beautiful shopping and restaurants,” Ryan says. “And we have lots and lots of sunshine.”

Another perk? Phoenix has much lower humidity. Hair problems solved.

Runner-up: Virginia Beach, VA, with its oceanside fun

* Data sources: realtor.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census Bureau, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Nielsen, Google Trends, and Yelp.com

The post Kindred Cities: Affordable Alternatives to Your Favorite Pricey Places appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

from https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/affordable-alternatives-to-your-favorite-pricey-places/

0 notes

ctrl-shift-esc · 6 years ago

Photo

Seattle, WA . (Picture Credit - Jason Redmond.)

A Trip to Emerald City

Also known as City of Flowers, Jet City or Queen city (of the pacific Northwest)... In other words... Seattle.

Good morning from my living room couch.

It’s an unexpected day off for me. I’ve been working full time on the set of Travelers alongside some rad talent! It’s always a blessing to witness the wonders of film making. Though I appreciate every minute, working long hours on set doesn’t leave much time to catch up on my personal projects.

So here we are a month and a bit later, I’ve finally sat to write about my trip to Seattle. Like I said on my InstaStory, I didn’t think I’d be writing this blog since I realized that I hadn’t taken any pictures! Between the Instagram stories, capturing Vlog footage & trying to be present in the moment - I completely forgot to take pictures... It dawned on me this morning - I thought; what better way to show Seattle than to show it through the eyes of the public?! I’ve decided to feature Instagram accounts who have captured moments in my fave spots! This way you get my list of places to check out + the unique views from strangers!

We’d been to Seattle the year before for Christmas. I remember thinking; Seattle isn’t very exciting. That’s probably because the city was a ghost town. Nothing was open, barely any civilization to be found. We were unsuccessfully, roaming the streets trying to see what Seattle had to offer. Note to self - don’t explore a city on Christmas day, not much to do. This time around, the city was Bumpin’. Streets were filled with people, the sun shining, street performers out to play. It seriously caught me off guard! We couldn’t have picked a better weekend to go, weather wise!

The first thing we did when we arrived Saturday night, was look for a cozy, unique little spot for dinner! I looked up a few places that might pique my interest... one of which - we didn’t end up going to, but remains on my bucket list- The Pink Door. The name is what caught my attention! And yes it actually has a pink door (perfectly Instagrammable btw).

The Pink Door - 1919 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101, USA - (PC me)

I found this place by searching for restaurants by the water (one of my fave things to do, I’ll have you know, is dine by the water). I quickly realized, this place doubled as a cabaret. Say whaaa!! Yaasss! They offer dinner & a show! How sweet?! I’m down! The boys on the other hand... not so much...

So we opted to keep it low key. We strolled the Gay district instead. Also known as Capitol Hill, this place packed with hip bars, eateries and gay joints. Go figure; most “IT” spots are located right here. I’m seriously not surprised. They always know what’s up!

It’s not always easy to find hidden gems if you literally don’t know where their hiding spots are. We were pretty lucky though, given the fact my boyfriends brother actually lives in Seattle. We got to have a private tour guide who knows the local spots to hit up! We found this alley way off Pike, on 11th Ave - a hidden alley way with a bunch of artisan shops and dinner spots secretly linked by these hallways. That’s what I’m talkin’ about! That’s my shit right there!

The restaurant we settled at was, Cafe Pettirosso

A small, cozy restaurant, that serves experimental dishes. I loved this place for its rustic feel. It didn’t give the typical North American vibe, never mind the US of A vibe... it could’ve been the narrow alley ways, the hanging string lights, the warm night, the stone walls or possibly the flowers on the table - but I forgot I was in america for a brief moment. It’s exactly what I was looking for. See what I’m talking about for yourself!

Pettirosso - 1101 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122, USA -

PC Instagram @maisyghaha

Pettirosso - 1101 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122, USA

PC Instagram @meganashleyart

Pettirosso - 1101 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122, USA -

PC me

I Highly recommend this nook to anyone.

I was pretty pumped about exploring the city - especially now that I got an idea of the types of places we could find!

The next day, while the boys were out getting a pump on - I explored the area myself. I heard of the Starbucks Reserve Roastery. One of the largest Starbucks in the world. What’s so special about this particular starbucks, its that you get to watch the bean of your coffee get roasted right in front of your eyes. I’m not particularly a fan of coffee - go figure - or Starbucks for that matter. I am however, a fan of coffee shops and their cute ass vibes... Also given the fact Seattle is the home base of their very first shop - I, obviously, had to be a Starbucks fan girl for the day. Can’t say I was mad about it.

This is some sight to see! - Although it probably isn’t the best place to come work on my readings, it’s a fun space nonetheless.

Starbucks Roastery Reserve - 1124 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101, USA

PC @rialahawaii

Starbucks Roastery Reserve - 1124 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101, USA

PC @coffeeandhoneycomb

Starbucks Roastery Reserve - 1124 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101, USA

PC @darakim212

Starbucks Roastery Reserve - 1124 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101, USA

PC @coffeebycinco

Soon after I met up with the dudes. We walked to the Public Market - A must see. I’m sure, if you’ve ever planned a visit to Seattle - you’ve heard, or seen pictures of this famous market.

Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA, USA

PC me

It has everything. The street artists out to entertain, flower shops, book shops, artisans showcasing their best work. The layout is very picturesque. It’s also home to the first Starbucks ever, like I mentioned earlier. Though I haven’t been lucky enough to enter it yet. The lineup is always longer than I wanna deal with... If you were blessed with more patience than me, I encourage you to give’er a go!

I had been to the Market before, but there was one thing I missed; the famous Great Gum Wall of Seattle. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like - a wall, of chewing gum... Yep it’s also as gross as it sounds. I find it fun to cross unusual things off my bucket list (as you can see). I thrive in seeing and doing things I know are out of the ordinary. To me, that’s living. What sense is there in doing the same old thing day after day? Don’t you wanna say you saw walls filled with strangers pre-chewed gum? lol I do. It’s a little overwhelming when you get there, there’s tons of people, a lot more than I thought there’d be. I also found it more icky than I originally thought. Still glad I can say I saw it, even though I was trying my hardest not to touch anything!

#YouOnlyLiveOnce #amirite

1428 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101, USA

PC @alyzaphillipsphotography

1428 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101, USA

PC @free.the.smileys

Finally before heading out - we found a cute lunch place to pit-stop at, called The London Plane. My kind of place (always). You’ll find the decor to be Shabby-Chic and the interior to be all white everything. The meals were very experimental, not your typical brunch recipes. It calls for a little open mindedness - I’m giving you a heads up because I know sometimes, trying new things (for me anyway) can sound like too much effort. Sometimes a girl just wants to be basic and have a little bit of certainty in her life...None of this - taking risks stuff - especially when it comes to food. Gimme something I know I’m gonna like! unno? But with a little open mindedness, you’re good to go.

At the entrance you’ll find fresh flowers and cooking books to buy. This place has the cutest charm! I liked it - so you’ll most likely like it too - especially if you’re like me and never endlessly crave cozy feels.

You’re welcome.

300 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104, USA

PC @emilyk3

300 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104, USA

PC @maryjoaguilera

300 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104, USA

PC @debililly

On that note, thanks for bearing with me, through this epically complicated blog! (I most likely complicated my own life - it’s a tendency of mine) but whatever, I did it! Hope you liked it.

Until next time

Ctrl+Shift+stay cozy

#blog #blogger #bloggerstyle #bloggersofinstagram #lifestyle #lifestyleblogger #vancouverblogger #blogpost #yvr #seattle #pikemarket #photography #instagram

0 notes

gillespialfredoe01806ld · 7 years ago

Text

Kindred Cities: Affordable Alternatives to Your Favorite Pricey Places

fergregory/iStock; deberarr/iStock; realtor.com

Cue the sad violins.

Percentage of stand-alone, single-family homes, condos, townhouses, and co-ops listed on realtor.com

Average days of sunshine per year

Dominant employment sectors (finance, government, tourism)

Dominant occupations

Restaurants per capita

Bars and nightlife venues per capita

Art galleries per capita

Number of pro and amateur sports teams

Car ownership rates

Some of our Metro Matchups™ pair up as you might expect. Others might make your jaw drop. But hey, we’ve got the data to back it all up! So let’s get going.

Prices in San Francisco getting you down? Rally to Raleigh!

iStock; realtor.com

San Francisco, CA

Median home list price: $868,000

Matchup: Raleigh, NC

Median home list price: $339,200 Matching metrics: Tech jobs, tech jobs, and did we mention tech jobs?

Let’s be real: There is only one City by the Bay! But if even thinking about your monthly rent or mortgage bill makes you reach for the anti-anxiety meds, you might want to consider … Raleigh.

Runner-up: New Orleans, with its food and nightlife

Trade earthquakes and smog for humidity and Spanish moss.

iStock; realtor.com

Los Angeles, CA

Median home list price: $699,600

Matchup: Savannah, GA

Median home list price: $249,900 Matching metrics: Movie production and beaches

If you plan to relocate, don’t forget to pack your sunscreen. Savannah has some fantastic beaches at Tybee Island.

Runner-up: Las Vegas, with a star-studded nightlife that never stops

Consider South Carolina if you’re finding prices in Honolulu to be a real beach.

iStock; realtor.com

Honolulu, HI

Median home list price: $695,000

Matchup: Myrtle Beach, SC

Median home list price: $235,000 Matching metrics: Gorgeous beaches, scads of tourism jobs

Want to escape the high cost of the 50th state but keep your swim trunks handy?

Runner-up: Orlando, with off-the-charts tourism, Disney-style

Don’t let a historic NFL rivalry get in the way of your real estate choices.

Getty Images; realtor.com

Denver, CO

Median home list price: $499,500

Matchup: Kansas City, MO

Median home list price: $245,800 Matching metrics: Hipster scenes and car culture

Looking for a hipper-than-thou bar? Head out to the Crossroads neighborhood, where you’ll find the Manifesto, a historic watering hole dating to Prohibition that’s now known for its wildly creative mixology. Or try Swordfish Tom’s, named after singer-songwriter Tom Waits. Now that you have a few cocktails in you, head over to the First Fridays outdoor event to enjoy street music, sidewalk vendors, food trucks, and art exhibits.

Denver refugees don’t have to give up the great outdoors, either. They can hike the Little Blue Trace Trail at Fleming Park, which runs alongside the Little Blue River.

When you’re packing for the move to Kansas City, just make sure to leave behind any uneaten brownies. (Wink, wink.)

Runner-up: Omaha, NE, with its numerous jobs in finance

Want to save some Benjamins? Ride on down from Boston to Philly.

iStock; realtor.com

Boston, MA

Median home list price: $489,500

Matchup: Philadelphia, PA

Median home list price: $249,400 Matching metrics: Historic brownstones, tech and finance gigs galore

Rest assured, you wouldn’t be the first Bostonian to leave for Philadelphia. Mr. Hundred-Dollar Bill himself, Benjamin Franklin, did the same almost 300 years ago.

Runner-up: Chicago, another city that goes gaga over its sports franchises and St. Paddy’s Day parades

Ditch the deluge in Seattle for the “Purple Rain” allure of Minneapolis.

iStock; Getty Images; realtor.com

Seattle, WA

Median home list price: $485,000

Matchup: Minneapolis, MN

Median home list price: $311,300 Matching metrics: No shortage of condos, tech jobs, and music legends

Seattle had Kurt Cobain. Minneapolis had Prince. And while these luminaries are gone, their songs live on, just like each city’s music scene.

And that’s not where the similarities between the cities end. Minneapolis is a bona fide start-up Eden.

John Malone, a software engineer at Apruve, a local credit network start-up, worked in San Francisco through the dot-com boom. But he left it behind to return to his hometown.

“Minneapolis is comfortable in its own skin,” Malone says. “It’s not a place that feels the need to compare itself with the coasts.”

Runner-up: Philadelphia, with its aerospace industry and fondness for damn good coffee

Love deep-dish but don’t have deep pockets? Chicago may be the place for you.

iStock; realtor.com

New York, NY

Median home list price: $472,500

Matchup: Chicago, IL

Median home list price: $279,700 Matching metrics: Unbeatable nightlife, financial capitals, pizza obsession

There really is only one more affordable city that could hope to do the city justice: Chicago.

The two cities are also known for their mob roots. New York had the Five Families. Chicago had the Chicago Outfit and Al Capone. You decide if this is a good thing.

Runner-up: Baltimore, a port city with lots of condos

Portland scene getting a little old? Discover Columbus!

iStock; realtor.com

Portland, OR

Median home list price: $450,000

Matchup: Columbus, OH

Median home list price: $241,300 Matchup metrics: Hipster havens

Nearly 20 craft breweries have opened in Columbus over the past five years. Want a taste? Attend the Columbus Ale Trail, where you’ll try suds from the 37 total breweries located in the city.

Runner-up: Madison, WI, a college town with a funky food and nightlife scene

Racking your dome for DC alternatives? Go from Capitol to capital.

iStock; realtor.com

Washington, D.C.

Median home list price: $429,500

Matchup: Trenton, NJ

Median home list price: $290,000 Matchup metrics: Government jobs rule the roost

That’s why folks may want to consider Trenton. We know it’s a stretch. But the city has government and nonprofit jobs to spare: Nearly one in three jobs here is in the government sector.

It may not have D.C.’s museums or “House of Cards” power scene. But does the nation’s capital have an annual Pork Roll Festival? (We honestly don’t know.)

Keep in mind it’s only 26 minutes to Philadelphia, about an hour from New York … and if you get really homesick, two hours from D.C. on Amtrak.

Runner-up: Tallahassee, FL, an even more unlikely government-driven economy

Love the sun but coastal weather got you down? Raise your spirits in Phoenix.

iStock; realtor.com

Miami, FL

Median home list price: $387,500

Matchup: Phoenix, AZ

Median home list price: $317,200 Matchup metric: Sunshine and baby boomers baking in it

“You’re never going to worry about massive water damage to your house here,” says real estate agent Kristy Ryan of RE/MAX Fine Properties.

“There’s beautiful shopping and restaurants,” Ryan says. “And we have lots and lots of sunshine.”

Another perk? Phoenix has much lower humidity. Hair problems solved.

Runner-up: Virginia Beach,..

from DIYS http://ift.tt/2ypCCmc

#DIYS

0 notes

marialbyrd419-blog · 7 years ago

Text

Kindred Cities: Affordable Alternatives to Your Favorite Pricey Places

fergregory/iStock; deberarr/iStock; realtor.com

America's premier cities seem to have it all: Instagrammable park and city views,edgybars, oodles of culture, a vibrant and weird street life, shops that sell cookie dough by the scoop. But all that awesomeness comes at a steep price. The harsh reality: Buying or renting into urban meccas like New York, San Francisco, or Denver is increasingly out of reach for many folks.

That's why so many city-centric millennials, empty nesters, and everyone in between are finding themselves in a gut-wrenchingdouble bind: Should they continue to fork over ludicrouslyhigh portions of their paycheck for housing, or throw in the towel and decamp to the suburbs?

Cue the sad violins.

But wait, there's another option! Why not search out affordable alternativesfor urban living-far cheaper citieswithmany of the samefeatures that madeyou fall head over heels in the first place?Enter the realtor.com data team. Wedistilledthe true character of some of the nation's most expensive metros, to find budget-friendly-and unexpected-counterpartsaround the country.

Nope, we're not talking about twin cities, like neighboring Minneapolis and St. Paul. And they're not sister cities, whichare internationally matched to promote a cultural exchange. Instead, think of them as Metro Matchups -places that link up to the nation's urbanmeccasin critical ways, butwhere you can buy a home for less than $350,000. Less than $350K!

You'll never be able to find another New York-sorry, friends, Chicago's deep-dish piesaren'tactually pizza at all-but you can find aplacethat offers at least some of the strange allure of the City That Never Sleeps for a fraction of the price. And techies who leave their hearts in San Francisco can still find jobsandhappiness in a land where million-dollar teardowns do not prompt bidding wars.

If you have a shopping list, you know what you want,saysJody Kahn, the senior vice president of research at John Burns Real Estate Consulting. You want to move somewhere that would work with your skills. You should also ask yourself: 'What's the vibe? Am I going to find people and activities I really enjoy?'

If you're leaving one of the United States' biggest cities, you're probably not going to move off the grid to somewhere without a reliable Wi-Fi signal (unless that's your thing). So we limited our ranking to the 150 largest metros. All have median home prices below $350,000, plenty ofgigs, and some ethnic diversity. We factored in housing stock, occupations, weather, nightlife, and a whole host of other criteria that help define an urban center's unique personality:*

Percentage of stand-alone, single-family homes, condos, townhouses, and co-ops listed on realtor.com

Average days of sunshine per year

Dominant employment sectors (finance, government, tourism)

Dominant occupations

Restaurants per capita

Bars and nightlife venues per capita

Art galleries per capita

Number of pro and amateur sports teams

Car ownership rates

Some of our Metro Matchups pair up as you might expect. Others might make your jaw drop. But hey, we've got the data to back it all up! So let's get going.

Prices in San Francisco getting you down? Rally to Raleigh!

iStock; realtor.com

San Francisco, CA

Median home list price:$868,000

Matchup:Raleigh, NC

Median home list price:$339,200 Matching metrics:Tech jobs, tech jobs, and did we mention tech jobs?

Let's be real: There is only one City by the Bay! But if even thinking about your monthly rent or mortgage bill makes you reach for the anti-anxiety meds, you might want to consider Raleigh.

Hear us out. Themetrohas thefifth-highest concentration of high-tech jobs in the nation. And the cost of living is just a fraction ofthat in San Francisco-or any of the other elite urban tech hubslikeBoston or Seattle.

That isn't news to tech start-up founderMatthew Sniff. In 2014, he left his Bay Area developer job to launch Map My Customers, a software appthathelps companies optimize field sales in the field. Attractive pricesledhim to Raleigh, where he could get 1,700 square feet of office space for less than $2,000 per month. And an army of skilled techies kept him there.

If I had to grade Raleigh, I would say A-plus for the cost of living and quality of life, says Sniff. He admits the culture and nightlife aren't quite on a par with S.F., but adds: It would surprise people how good it is.

There's the Contemporary Art Museum in the city's warehouse district that features emerging talent. And a bar scene with its own brand of quirkiness.The Angus Barn Restaurant features a butt-kicking contraption thatdoes just what it says itwill. AndFlex, a popular gay club, hosts karaoke every nearly every night of the week, with the occasional drag queen show mixed in. Islands in the Stream, anyone?

Runner-up: New Orleans, with its food and nightlife

Trade earthquakes and smog for humidity and Spanish moss.

iStock; realtor.com

Los Angeles, CA

Median home list price:$699,600

Matchup:Savannah, GA

Median home list price:$249,900 Matching metrics:Movie production and beaches

Next time you're eating butter-doused popcorn at the movies, just remember that film could very well have beenmade in Savannah. Yep, you heard us right: This isthe Hollywood of the South. Savannah ranks No. 3 nationally in actor, producer, and director jobs.

The recent Baywatch movie, starringZac Efronand Dwayne TheRock Johnson,was filmed in the Gothic Southern city, as was Robert De Niro'sDirty Grandpa. Please don't blame Savannah for those! Let's focus instead on Ben Affleck's Live by Night or Channing Tatum's Magic Mike XXL. Or Forrest Gump!

But it wouldn't be truly Hollywood-esque without a good, old-fashioned celebrity arrest. Transformers actor Shia LaBeoufwasbooked in Savannah for disorderly conduct and public intoxication while on a production break this summer.

Thecity's popularity with filmmakers is in part thanks to a tax credit the state began offering in2008. From2010 to 2014, filmmakers spent $58 million to produce movies in Savannah,says Trip Tollison, president and CEO of the Savannah Economic Development Authority. They spent $60 million in 2016 alone.

If you plan to relocate,don't forget to pack your sunscreen.Savannah has some fantastic beaches atTybee Island.

Runner-up:Las Vegas, with a star-studded nightlife that never stops

Consider South Carolina if you're finding prices in Honolulu to be a real beach.

iStock; realtor.com

Honolulu, HI

Median home list price:$695,000

Matchup:Myrtle Beach, SC

Median home list price:$235,000 Matching metrics:Gorgeous beaches,scads of tourism jobs

Want to escape the high cost of the 50th state but keep your swim trunks handy?

Myrtle Beach was named one of the top 25 favorite beach towns of 2016 by Travel & Leisure and one of the best family beach vacation spots by U.S. News and World Report. It has a beautiful60-mile string of beaches dotted with hotels, mini golf courses, and boardwalks.

You might miss the luaus, the sublime surfing, and the soy-and-sesame-bathed raw fish in poke bowls. But you'll have plenty to do here, and lots more money to do it with. That's probably why Myrtle Beach welcomed more than 18 million visitors over the summer of 2016.

And if you're a business owner, you know that vacationers keep the lights on. Myrtle Beach has tons of tourists, with holes burning in their wallets.They're well advised to hold on tight to those wallets, as the city is known to have a higher-than-average crime rate.But things are getting better, and the place is growing.

Runner-up:Orlando, with off-the-charts tourism, Disney-style

Don't let a historic NFL rivalry get in the way of your real estate choices.

Getty Images; realtor.com

Denver, CO

Median home list price:$499,500

Matchup:Kansas City, MO

Median home list price:$245,800 Matching metrics:Hipster scenes and car culture

Kansas City is no longer a stodgy Midwestern metropolis. The city's downtown has been transformed over the last few years, andnow it's home to about 20 breweries. Heck, Kansas City was even the first market to get Google Fiber's broadband service in 2012, which gave its small tech sector a turbo boost.

Looking for ahipper-than-thou bar? Head out to the Crossroads neighborhood, where you'll find the Manifesto, a historic watering holedating to Prohibition that's now known for its wildly creative mixology. Or try Swordfish Tom's,named after singer-songwriterTom Waits.Now that you have a fewcocktails in you, head over to the First Fridays outdoor eventto enjoy street music, sidewalk vendors, food trucks, and art exhibits.

Denver refugees don't have to give up the great outdoors, either. They canhike the Little Blue Trace Trail at Fleming Park, whichruns alongside the Little Blue River.

When you're packing for the move to Kansas City, just make sure to leave behind any uneaten brownies. (Wink, wink.)

Runner-up:Omaha, NE,with its numerous jobs infinance

Want to save some Benjamins? Ride on down from Boston to Philly.

iStock; realtor.com

Boston, MA

Median home list price:$489,500

Matchup:Philadelphia, PA

Median home list price:$249,400 Matching metrics:Historic brownstones, tech and finance gigs galore

We've got bad news for Bostonians: It doesn't matterhow many healthy dishes New England Patriots QuarterbackTom Bradyprepares from his fancy new cookbook, the man can't play forever. But don't worry, you'll get some brotherly love where you're going.

So what if Philadelphia doesn't win the Super Bowl every year? It's a darned good sports city in its own right. Indeed, the city is sixth in the nation for pro sports championships, four spots behind Boston. Plus, there's nothing like eating a Philly cheesesteak at a Phillies game.

Philly is agreat sports town, says Ed Mastripolito, a cook at Philadium Restaurant & Tavern. It is a hotbed when the Phillies are winning games. And we have football fans whoshow up the night before to tailgate for Eagles games.

Rest assured, youwouldn't be the first Bostonian to leave forPhiladelphia. Mr.Hundred-DollarBill himself, Benjamin Franklin, did the same almost 300 years ago.

Runner-up:Chicago, anothercity thatgoes gaga over itssportsfranchises and St. Paddy's Day parades

Ditch the deluge in Seattle for the Purple Rain allure of Minneapolis.

iStock; Getty Images; realtor.com

Seattle, WA

Median home list price:$485,000

Matchup:Minneapolis, MN

Median home list price:$311,300 Matching metrics: No shortageofcondos, tech jobs, and music legends

Seattle had Kurt Cobain. Minneapolis had Prince. And while these luminaries are gone, their songs live on, just like each city's music scene.

Live-music aficionadoscan check outthe Soundset Festival in Minneapolis, which draws more than 35,000fans each year. This year, the event featured performances fromTy Dolla $ign, Travis Scott,andGucci Mane.

And that's not where the similarities between the cities end.Minneapolis is a bona fide start-up Eden.

John Malone, a software engineer at Apruve, alocal credit network start-up, worked in San Francisco through the dot-com boom. But he left it behind to return to his hometown.

Minneapolis is comfortable in its own skin, Malone says. It's not a place that feels the need to compare itself with the coasts.

Runner-up:Philadelphia, with its aerospace industry and fondness for damn good coffee

Love deep-dish but don't have deep pockets? Chicago may be the place for you.

iStock; realtor.com

New York, NY

Median home list price:$472,500

Matchup:Chicago, IL

Median home list price:$279,700 Matching metrics: Unbeatable nightlife, financial capitals, pizza obsession

You'd think a city with more than 8 million inhabitants crammed intotiny apartments paying astronomical rents mighthave lots offolks eager to move. But if they did, they'd be giving up so much: Central Park, daily celebrity sightings, 77 Michelin-starred restaurants also 24-hour subways that keep passengers waiting for ungodly stretches, cat-sized rats, ill-tempered hot dog vendors. OK, maybe there is a reason to leave the Apple. But once you've tasted it, where else can you go?

There really is only one more affordable city that could hope to do the city justice: Chicago.

Even the most stubborn New Yorker might be won over by Chi-town. The Chicago skyline is gorgeous, with Willis Tower doing afine Empire State Building impression. Once a laggard in the foodie department, it's now home to some of the best America has to offer. They're just cheaper. And yes, the city also has its own public transportation system. (Sorry, it, too, tends to keep you waiting.)

The two cities are also known for their mob roots. New York had the Five Families. Chicago had theChicago Outfit and Al Capone. You decide if this is a good thing.

Runner-up:Baltimore,a port city with lots of condos

Portland scene getting a little old? Discover Columbus!

iStock; realtor.com

Portland, OR

Median home list price:$450,000

Matchup:Columbus, OH

Median home list price:$241,300 Matchup metrics: Hipster havens

The warning signs were there: man buns, artisanal pickle shops, and rooftop bars. So the Buckeye State shouldn't be too surprised that hipsters have invaded their state capital. Yep, Columbus has even fallen for avocado toast.

Both Columbus and Portland are known for supporting small business and shopping local, saysShane Prather, a social media coordinatorin Columbus. We both love our brunch, coffee, and craft beer. We take our dogs everywhere around town and love being outdoors whenever possible.

Nearly 20 craft breweries have opened in Columbus over the past five years. Want a taste? Attend the Columbus Ale Trail, where you'll trysudsfrom the 37 total breweries located in the city.

Prather recommends that those looking to grab a beer or dinner head to the Short North neighborhood.Squeezed in between downtown and Ohio State University's campus,it hasbecome a hotbed for millennials, and also hosts the annual Columbus Pride Parade.

Runner-up:Madison, WI,a college town with afunky food and nightlife scene

Racking your dome for DC alternatives? Go from Capitol to capital.

iStock; realtor.com

Washington, D.C.

Median home list price:$429,500

Matchup:Trenton, NJ

Median home list price:$290,000 Matchup metrics: Government jobsrule the roost

On a weekend walk through the nation's capital, you'll see the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. They're beautiful. But are they worth the high price tag you'll pay each month in rent or for your mortgage? Hey, it's not easy on many government salaries!

That's why folks may want to consider Trenton. We know it's a stretch. But the cityhas government and nonprofit jobs to spare: Nearly one in three jobs hereis in the government sector.

We're the capital of New Jersey. So we have lots of state, county, and city government positions, says George Sowa, CEO of Greater Trenton-a nonprofit that advocates for downtown development. There is also a federal presence here as well, with Federal Court offices.

It may not have D.C.'s museums or House of Cards power scene.But doesthe nation's capitalhave an annual Pork Roll Festival? (We honestly don't know.)

Keep in mind it'sonly 26 minutes to Philadelphia, about an hour from New York and if you get really homesick, two hours from D.C. on Amtrak.

Runner-up:Tallahassee, FL,an even more unlikelygovernment-driven economy

Love the sun but coastal weather got you down? Raise your spirits in Phoenix.

iStock; realtor.com

Miami, FL

Median home list price:$387,500

Matchup:Phoenix, AZ

Median home list price:$317,200 Matchup metric: Sunshine and baby boomersbaking in it

Hurricanes are becoming more frequent-and the cost of flood insurance isn't going down. So maybe you're a little less adamant about keeping your beachfront abode. If that's the case, give Phoenix a look.

You're never going to worry about massive water damage to your house here, says real estate agentKristy Ryan of RE/MAX Fine Properties.

There's beautiful shopping and restaurants, Ryan says.And we have lots and lots of sunshine.

Another perk? Phoenix has much lower humidity. Hair problems solved.

Runner-up:Virginia Beach, VA,with its oceanside fun

* Data sources: realtor.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census Bureau, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Nielsen, Google Trends, and Yelp.com

The post Kindred Cities: Affordable Alternatives to Your Favorite Pricey Places appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.

0 notes

sentrava · 7 years ago

Text

11 Reasons We’re Obsessed with Oklahoma City

There was a time when I spent half of each month out of the country. These days, however, I’d much rather stay closer to home and exploring domestic hotspots like Oklahoma City that are truly multi-faceted, doable over a long weekend and capitalize on so many of my interests: food, spirits, the outdoors, art and urban culture.

Last month, SVV and I spent four days there on our inaugural visit to OKC, and within hours of touching down, we were smitten with this truly delightful place. Why? Well, I’ll tell you:

It’s a big city with a small town vibe

Oklahoma City is one of the most sprawling cities I’ve ever visited—625 square miles to be exact—but it doesn’t feel like that at all. It’s one of the largest cities in the United States landmass-wise and boasts a metro population of 1.3 million people. But most everything a visitor would want to see is consolidated within a few adjacent neighborhoods downtown so it’s also extremely manageable. Bonus: Traffic is virtually non-existent, and parking is incredibly easy to come by, so exploring by car is a breeze.

It’s not Southern but has that Southern hospitality

OK, I thought people in Tennessee were friendly, but my people have got nothing on the fine folks of OKC. Need directions? They’ll draw you a map. Looking for a brewery recommendation? They’ll go one step further and escort you there. Everywhere we went, the locals chatted us up, and it was the perfect context we needed for discerning Oklahoma City’s vibe.

It’s on the verge of a food renaissance

I was expecting a lot of things out of OKC, but a restaurant scene that rivals Nashville was not one of them. Every last place we ate, from beloved local institution Cheever’s Cafe to The Jones Assembly, was five stars-worthy on Yelp.

It’s an urban outdoor oasis

Our first stop after arriving on a Sunday afternoon was Myriad Botanical Gardens, 15 acres of verdant green space right smack in the city center. And our second stop was Riversport Adventures, where you can try your hand at whitewater rafting—right downtown! I’m never one who wants to be cooped up inside, particularly as blissfully warm and sunny it was during my visit, so I very much appreciated the abundance of outdoor recreation.

It’s got an entire museum dedicated to cowboys

I’ll admit I wasn’t sure what I was going to think about the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum as I’ve never so much as seen an old Western (sorry!). But man, I could have spent all day here! The 30,000-object museum spans costumes, cinema, art, artillery and so much more, and I can’t wait to go back and lose myself in its various exhibits.

It boasts numerous boutique hotels

While there are plenty of hotel chains I’m loyal to like Hilton and Fairmont, I do love me an independent boutique hotel that’s chock full of character. On this visit, we stayed at the Colcord, which encompasses all the facets of a truly great hotel in my mind: a friendly staff, a bold color palette, a central location, a killer restaurant and bar, and Art Deco accents for days.

It’s got breweries, y’all!

You know this excited SVV and me. Just a year prior, a state law was changed that made it legal for craft breweries to sell full-strength beer in Oklahoma. As such, there is now a handful of worthy contenders—and we tried to hit them all. On this visit, we made it to Twisted Spike, Stonecloud and Anthem, but we still have to get to COOP, Roughtail and a few others next time we’re back.

Its street art is on point

Have you gotten the impression I’m a not-so-closeted mural chaser? There’s little I like doing more in a new city than going on a photo safari for the best street art in town. OKC had plenty to track down, a good chunk of it woven throughout the Plaza District.

It’s a city invested in its future

I’ve lived in several places where it felt as if the city’s residents’ needs and wants were a mere afterthought to the politicians’ own (and truth be told, it often feels that way in Nashville nowadays). But not in Oklahoma City. The city government launched its MAPS program nearly 25 years ago as a way to revitalize downtown, improve its national image and “provide new and upgraded cultural, sports, recreation, entertainment and convention facilities.” The next phase of this will be the development of a brand new convention center breaking ground next spring.

It has a Ferris wheel purchased on eBay

I couldn’t make this up if I tried. This former Santa Monica wheel is also now one of the most Instagrammable spots in OKC!

It’s right smack in the middle of the country

As much as I love going to, say, Seattle, six hours on a plane (and then a time change) just isn’t my favorite way to spend an afternoon. I love that OKC is so central that you can be there from just about anywhere in the United States in a matter of hours.

Have you been to OKC? Were you as blown away with its diversity as I was?

This post is part of a partnership with Visit OKC.

PIN IT HERE

11 Reasons We’re Obsessed with Oklahoma City published first on http://ift.tt/2gOZF1v

0 notes

sentrava · 7 years ago

Text

11 Reasons We’re Obsessed with Oklahoma City

Last month, SVV and I spent four days there on our inaugural visit to OKC, and within hours of touching down, we were smitten with this truly delightful place. Why? Well, I’ll tell you:

It’s a big city with a small town vibe

It’s not Southern but has that Southern hospitality

It’s on the verge of a food renaissance

It’s an urban outdoor oasis

It’s got an entire museum dedicated to cowboys

It boasts numerous boutique hotels

It’s got breweries, y’all!

Its street art is on point

It’s a city invested in its future

It has a Ferris wheel purchased on eBay

I couldn’t make this up if I tried. This former Santa Monica wheel is also now one of the most Instagrammable spots in OKC!

It’s right smack in the middle of the country

Have you been to OKC? Were you as blown away with its diversity as I was?

This post is part of a partnership with Visit OKC.

PIN IT HERE

11 Reasons We’re Obsessed with Oklahoma City published first on http://ift.tt/2gOZF1v

0 notes