Moving back to Baltimore, Essex Area (Dundalk, Middle River: renters, sex offenders, neighborhoods)

[friendlyface619]

I am moving back to baltimore after 4 years of living in South Carolina. I just recently went on a mini trip back and all the neighborhoods are so different. I have heard a few bad things about certain neighborhoods and then I have heard good things about the same but I am thinking that some opinions are bias. So I was looking for an outside opinion? Does anyone know any neighborhoods that are affordable and safe for a 3 and 5 year old with a pretty good school near by? I know it sounds like a lot but it seems like once you have kids you worry about every little detail! Thanks so much

[ReefAreCoolToo]

Really depends on what community and if there are a lot renters or in the bus line. A lot Essex, Middle River or Dundalk area are old community. But revitalization been going on for the eastern corridor of baltimore. Dundalk Ave is going thru a face life, streetscape..etc

check yr pm

[mccollim]

Dear Friendly Face:

I hope your transition from South Carolina to Maryland is smooth and successful. What brings you back to the Baltimore area? What did you like and dislike about South Carolina? I always wanted to visit the Great Smoky Mountains area or a coastal city such as Charleston or Hilton Head.

About Essex schools, obviously you will need to do some research and actually visit some schools, meet neighbors, etc. I would think visiting Victory Villa Elementary School or Charlesmont Elementary School would be great places to start. Let me know how it goes. I have a young son myself, and I appreciate the importance of good schools. Take care.

Sincerely,
Richard McCollim

[Icky76]

Hey, friendlyface. I don't want to scare you, but I would stay away from Dundalk with children as young as yours. Our local news recently did some research and said that one of the zipcodes in Dundalk has the highest amount of registered sex offenders in Baltimore.
To be honest, I would think Essex is right behind them. All of the waterfront property is going for upwards of $1 million, now, but other than that, there's a lot of lower class neighborhoods in those areas. Don't get me wrong, I'm not upper class, myself, but it seems so many neighborhoods that used to be middle class are slipping away due to the awful drug problems that seem to have seeped into the suburbs over the past decade. I would re-think your decision about moving back here with 2 small children. Sorry!

[LoganSucks2]

I grew up in Rising Sun,Md which we all know was KKK capital. only I broke the chain, yes my son is white but he knows no hate. All I can say about Rising Sun,MD is you have rednecks begetting rednecks what are you going to get but a redneck. Also resided in Edgewood,Md for ten years watched crack and heroine take the neighborhood over. But count the pawn shops in the area, its all about supply and demand. The best way to see about a neighborhood is to go around dusk till midnight (try not to get killed while observing) watch foot traffic car traffic and police presence. Don't think that you are safe in the country we moved to Woodstock,VA and my son was brutally attacked in the bathroom at his middle school. And was placed on probation for getting the **** beat out of him. Safe no where watch your back!!