Neighborhoods comparison for young family moving from Canada (Baltimore, Potomac: sales, real estate)

[LouisDS]

Hi all,

I know some of you on this forum would not recommend living in the city for a family of 4 (girls of 2 and 5). However, We decided to live a city life at least for the time my fellowship at JHH will last (3-5 years).

So, I have been looking at the real estate websites for a couple of months now and I have a clear idea of where the areas we can afford (buy)/could live in are. Now I would like you guys to share your opinions about these neighborhoods if you know them well. Beside finding a good school for the girls (we'll see that in a future thread maybe) and accessibility to JHH without a car (less than 40 minutes please), the criterias are
1) walkability
2) proximity to a park to walk the dog and play with the kids and
3) safety during the day. I don't care not being able to walk at 1AM, I normally sleep...

Proximity to the farmers market and/or smaller traders would be a plus.

Here is the list:

Canton
Edmonson
Butchers Hill
Upper Fells Point
Bolton Hill
Graceland Park
Washington Village
Barclay
Reservoir Hill
Park Circle
Brewers Hill
Greenmount West (especially Calvert/Lafayette)
Patterson Park
Hudson-Highlandtown
Union Square
Dunbar
Frankford
Yale Heights
Ednor Gardens
Original Northwood
Elwood Park
Patterson Place
Charles Village
Madison Park


I know it's a long list. Actually, I would like to narrow it down by eliminating those I should REALLY avoid. I know some areas are sketchy, but I would like to know to what extent.

Thanks in advance.

[barante]

Without knowing anything else about your plans:
Patterson Park, if you want to be close to Hopkins medical institutions in East Baltimore.
Charles Village, if you need to be close to the Homewood humanistic campus.

[LouisDS]

I thought I was clear when I mentioned JHH. That's the hospital right?

Where would you draw the line between good areas around PPark and bad areas?

[KLynch10]

Around the Park

Good
Canton
Fells Point
Butchers Hill

Not Bad
Upper Fells
Highlandtown
Patterson Park

If you go too far North of Patterson Park, NE of Patterson Park or NW of Patterson Park it gets worse

Stay away from Dunbar, Perkins Homes, Old Town, McElderly Park, Middle East

[davecj]

Fell's Point has a farmers market on Saturdays and would be <1 mile from JHH.

[ltong1009]

Check out hampstead hill academy for school. We moved to Canton for it. It is a charter, but you are guaranteed a spot if you live in canton. 20 min walk or so to JHH.

[LouisDS]

Originally Posted by ltong1009

Check out hampstead hill academy for school. We moved to Canton for it. It is a charter, but you are guaranteed a spot if you live in canton. 20 min walk or so to JHH.

Really? Wow, that definitely could be a factor. I'll keep that in mind. I really hope we can get an opportunity to buy there. Only 2 listings in my price range right now and they are, let's say, in the upper limit...

Fell's point is too expensive for us, our budget is topped at 250K for 3 or 4 beds. It is more than enough for some neighborhoods, but very short for Fell's, Little Italy, mount vernon, etc.

What is too far north of PPark, Fayette?. So Elwood Park should be eliminated? And there are some renovations north of PPark in the first 200 block, would it be ok? I'm thinking about 6 N Rose, 123 N Potomac and 136 N Belnord, all south of E Fayette St.

[davecj]

Actually you may be surprised what you can get now for your money. Sales have weakened as rental rates soared so there are quite a few deals to be had- especially if you're willing to put in some sweat equity.

[LouisDS]

Originally Posted by davecj

if you're willing to put in some sweat equity.

I'm sorry but English being a second language, I don't know what that means.

[KLynch10]

"Do some renovations yourself"

200 block north of the park is the farthest I'd go, unless you are far enough west where you are kind of in Butchers Hill.