Other cities with better suburbs than Baltimore? (Ellicott City: house, neighborhoods)
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Maybe it's just me, so it'll be interesting to hear what comments this generates.
But, earlier this year, I was exploring Baltimore, Washington DC, and Maryland. I've never personally lived in a suburb, and never had any interest to live in one either. (Maybe that's what makes Baltimore suburbs appealing?)
But, nontheless, I didn't care for any of the DC suburbs whatsoever. However, Baltimore suburbs all had a ton of character and seemed amazingly liveable. So liveable, that I could actually understand why in Baltimore a person might opt for the suburbs over the city itself. (Not just because of safety associated with suburbs), but just that Baltimore suburbs seemed to have many amenities of city living, and the advantages of not being in an American city (better schools, etc.)
Anyhow, with all that being said. Am I way wrong on this, or do some people actually agree with some of this? (It's basically just an observation based on a short visit).
Last edited by Tiger Beer; 06-02-2012 at 09:12 PM..
Maybe it's just me, so it'll be interesting to hear what comments this generates.
But, earlier this year, I was exploring Baltimore, Washington DC, and Maryland. I've never personally lived in a suburb, and never had any interest to live in one either. (Maybe that's what makes Baltimore suburbs appealing?)
But, nontheless, I didn't care for any of the DC suburbs whatsoever. However, Baltimore suburbs all had a ton of character and seemed amazingly liveable. So liveable, that I could actually understand why in Baltimore a person might opt for the suburbs over the city itself. (Not just because of safety associated with suburbs), but just that Baltimore suburbs seemed to have many amenities of city living, and the advantages of not being in an American city (better schools, etc.)
Anyhow, with all that being said. Am I way wrong on this, or do some people actually agree with some of this? (It's basically just an observation based on a short visit).
Your thread subject line is a little confusing to me, as it doesn't seem to tie to your post, but I'll give this a shot...
I had the unique opportunity of growing up on the city/county line, so half my life was in one, and half in the other. It's actually exactly how I prefer it, too.
I like being near the amenities of the city, but without the hassles of the city. Though I have a house in the city, I prefer my home in the burbs (yet it's close enough to get to the city for work, dinner, etc).
Though I grew up in Baltimore, I've also lived in an lot of cities on both coasts. Baltimore, IMO, has a much more fabulous county than city, for sure. They're almost like two different worlds, which is great because there's a little something for everyone. It's all about finding the right spot for you.
You mentioned DC, too. Living in DC is amazing, but vastly different from Baltimore. It really just comes down to what you're looking for.
The Baltimore suburbs are older than the suburbs of many other American cities. Many of those inner ring suburbs pre-date WWII I'd imagine. Plus, economically most of them are rather affluent but not to the extreme level of the DC burbs or what not, which I think is nice.
In my opinion, the Baltimore suburbs tend to lack character and amenities. They're all the same, have the same stores and restaurants, and nothing about them seems uniquely Baltimore or Maryland. I can't think of any Baltimore suburb that has amenities of city living; a few of them have small downtown areas, but their offerings are still quite limited.
In my opinion, the Baltimore suburbs tend to lack character and amenities. They're all the same, have the same stores and restaurants, and nothing about them seems uniquely Baltimore or Maryland. I can't think of any Baltimore suburb that has amenities of city living; a few of them have small downtown areas, but their offerings are still quite limited.
Maybe because your from the Boston area? I've always heard things about the suburbs around Boston as well as Philadelphia.
Another way to think about this is the wonderful neighborhoods within B'more City limits that give you a rather suburban (single family homes, green spaces, sidewalks) feel but with a fair amount of urban amenities. Along the Charles St. Corridor, in the northern part of the City, there are neighborhoods like Guilford, Roland Park, Homeland, Mt. Washington, that feel suburban to me (coming from metro Boston) but have character, easy access to downtown. Outside of the Beltway, I agree - most suburbs have their share of big box stores, anonymous shopping stretches etc. - hard to see how these are different than almost any other city. But within the Beltway, the close in neighborhoods are quite lovely - think of them as smaller, more affordable, less pretentious options than Newton or Brookline, MA...
I think most of the suburbs I've ever lived in on either coast was mainly big box stores and chain restaurants (neither of which I'm a fan of, so I'm always on a hunt for the one of a kinds).
One thing I missed about Baltimore when I was living in those other cities was that in the Baltimore burbs we did have non-chain establishments, but perhaps only the locals know where they are (ie my favorite Persian restaurant is in the burbs tucked behind a national chain furniture store). It gets hopping packed via word of mouth, but if you were to drive down the very busy road they're on, you'd never even see their front door. That's just one example. Or, my fave pizza shop that's tucked behind a bridal shop (so well that most the time I accidentally pass their driveway lol). Hmm, I'm beginning to see a theme here. lol (Never noticed it before.)
Maybe because your from the Boston area? I've always heard things about the suburbs around Boston as well as Philadelphia.
I am from Baltimore and lived in the area for more than 30 years. I recently moved to Boston, and the suburbs here have character. Many of them are well-connected to Boston, yet they also have plenty of independent stores, shops, and restaurants. Philadelphia is similar in that respect. In my opinion, Boston and Philadelphia suburbs are much more interesting than Baltimore suburbs.
In my opinion, the Baltimore suburbs tend to lack character and amenities. They're all the same, have the same stores and restaurants, and nothing about them seems uniquely Baltimore or Maryland. I can't think of any Baltimore suburb that has amenities of city living; a few of them have small downtown areas, but their offerings are still quite limited.
I am from Baltimore and lived in the area for more than 30 years. I recently moved to Boston, and the suburbs here have character. Many of them are well-connected to Boston, yet they also have plenty of independent stores, shops, and restaurants. Philadelphia is similar in that respect. In my opinion, Boston and Philadelphia suburbs are much more interesting than Baltimore suburbs.
I agree on this one. Really, the burbs around Bmore are kind of a drag unless you have tons of money and then shoot for horse country with land. I happen to like Ellicott City but that's about it for the burbs. The rest are just off-shoots off of a highway with nothing really appealing.
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