Relocating to Baltimore and looking for help (Hampstead: apartment, neighborhoods)

[lyh710]

Dear all,

I just got an offer in National Institute on Drug Abuse (251 Bayview Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21224). Considering that my wife and our new-born baby (4 weeks old) will come with me, and I do not have a driver license, I really want to find a good neighbourhood close enough to my office. I have totally no idea about the city and is deeply confused by all the info available from the forums. My major concern is the safety and the convenience of the mother and the baby, I sincerely hope that they will be able to enjoy a comfortable life without having to worry about security problem. Could anyone kindly suggest where I should find my first apartment? A well-furnishing 2-bedroom apartment (with washer and dryer inside) is what I am looking for, and the budget is 1000 ~ 1500 (including utilities). And I am also thinking about Shopping, green park and refreshing opportunities which would be important for the mother and the baby.

I hear that "Joseph Lee" and "Greektown" may be a good choice for me, could anyone kindly comment on it?

As a total stranger to the city, I am kind of scared by the reputation of tough neighbourhood in Baltimore, and looking forward to your suggestions about living in Baltimore before coming to a decision.

[jcgpartyof5]

My husband and I lived in Federal Hill with our twin sons. It is a little further from Bayview, but lots of young families, green space, and a parents social network. you can walk to anywhere and I am sure that there is public transportation to Bayview. I loved living there with my babies!

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

Yup the two areas you mentioned would be OK, as would most of the areas along the waterfront.

The Bayview area is well served by a number of bus lines, however you may find that a number of your coworkers drive. Biking is also an option.

The No. 22 can connect you from some nicer neighborhoods of North Baltimore (parts of Waverly, Charles Village, Hampden) to Bayview. It is not 100% punctual.

Maryland Transit Administration (http://www.mta.maryland.gov/maps/regional_system/index.cfm - broken link)

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by lyh710

Dear all,

I just got an offer in National Institute on Drug Abuse (251 Bayview Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21224). Considering that my wife and our new-born baby (4 weeks old) will come with me, and I do not have a driver license, I really want to find a good neighbourhood close enough to my office. I have totally no idea about the city and is deeply confused by all the info available from the forums. My major concern is the safety and the convenience of the mother and the baby, I sincerely hope that they will be able to enjoy a comfortable life without having to worry about security problem. Could anyone kindly suggest where I should find my first apartment? A well-furnishing 2-bedroom apartment (with washer and dryer inside) is what I am looking for, and the budget is 1000 ~ 1500 (including utilities). And I am also thinking about Shopping, green park and refreshing opportunities which would be important for the mother and the baby.

I hear that "Joseph Lee" and "Greektown" may be a good choice for me, could anyone kindly comment on it?

As a total stranger to the city, I am kind of scared by the reputation of tough neighbourhood in Baltimore, and looking forward to your suggestions about living in Baltimore before coming to a decision.

You may be able to find something around Highlandtown in a decent area with a good price. It's not as upscale as Federal Hill but it's closer to Bayview and definitely an up and coming area. Don't overlook Patterson Park either. It has a well-attended and decent charter school.

[ltong1009]

My wife works at Bayview, and easily commutes from the northeas

[ltong1009]

the north east part of Canton. We have a 1.5 y.o. and will be sending her to the local charter school, Hampstead Hill Academy. Her commute is < 1 mile.

[davecj]

Without a drivers license you may have some trouble getting a landlord to accept the application. I'm sure it's not all the time but it's something to keep in mind.

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

Originally Posted by davecj

Without a drivers license you may have some trouble getting a landlord to accept the application. I'm sure it's not all the time but it's something to keep in mind.

Would a passport suffice?

[picardlx]

State ID will suffice, if you have one.

[davecj]

I would think a passport would be fine. As a landlord I'd probably question why you don't have one but I doubt it would be a deal breaker.