Decent neighborhoods. (Baltimore, Ridgely: apartments, rentals, homes)

[K-Luv]

Yup, another thread about where to live.

Girlfriend got accepted to JHUs Bloomberg School of Public Health and we will be moving to the area Sept. 1.

I am not asking for detailed information, just if anyone can point me in the right direction. Not looking for anything in particular; don't want ghetto, but don't want hoity-toity, either. The only part of Baltimore that I am familiar with is the area between Penn Station and the Bloomberg School of Public Health...and would rather not want to live there if that could give you an indication.

Also, what could I expect to pay in rent for a 1 or 2 bedroom? Utilities?

Thank you.

[KLynch10]

It may be easier to list the areas you don't want to live in. There are a lot of great neighborhoods, despite the threads you see around here.

If you are looking to be around a lot of young social people with lots of Bar/restaurants, I would recommend Federal Hill, Fells Point, Canton, Harbor East, Mt. Vernon (more Artsy), Mid Town, Ridgely's Delight/Camden Yards, and Butchers Hill. All very safe, and mostly Rowhome rentals or apartments in rowhomes. There are a few buildings in these areas. I'd expect to pay 1200-2000 for a 2 bedroom, depending on quality parking and size.

If you are looking for something a little more quite and cheap. I would recommend Hampden, Medfield, Charles Village, Greek Town, Bolton Hill, Mt. Washington. These will be cheaper than the first group.

These are some up and coming neighborhoods that you'll see heavily marketed. All of these are pretty safe, but you'll see some things that are a little sketchy. Patterson Park, Pig Town, Remington, Upper Fells, and Highlandtown. These will be cheaper than the first, and likely the 2nd.

You definitley don't want to live between the school and Train Staion, that area is bad and going no where. If yo want to live pretty close to the school I would recommend Butchers Hill/Upper Fells.

[Bong477]

The standard recommended urban neighborhoods are: Federal Hill, Canton, Harbor East, Mt. Vernon, Fells Point, Locust Point. That's where I'd start. They are safe enough, but "very safe" may be an exageration depending on what your level of comfort is. To give you an idea, I lived in Federal Hill/Locust Point for 3 years... I never felt directly "unsafe" near my home but my car was broken into once a year or so for no apparent reason and it was not uncommon at all for police helicopters to be circled overhead.

With the possible exception of Harbor East there is nothing in Baltimore that could be considered hoity-toity so don't have to worry too much about that.

If you find those areas are too expensive maybe branch out into some of the other areas mentioned. A 2 bedroom will run something in the $1600-1800 ballpark, give or take depending on location. I paid about $200 in gas/electric on average for an old rowhouse with central air.