Relocating to Baltimore and scared as hell!!!! (assessors, mortgage)

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by bosoxrule

iamme08, I have to agree with you. I've unfortunately lived here for 2 years and have seen enough. Not only does this city have a lot of issues, crime being a major one, but it's worse since city government doesn't seem to care and won't go to extreme measures to try to revive itself and become a city that is has the potential to be. Sheila is more concerned about what she's going to personally gain during her term than to truly turn the city around, make it affordable by lowering taxes, clean the city up (crime and aesthetics) and holding other city officials accountable to a higher level of performance. This is probably one of the most aesthetically depressing areas and mismanaged cities I've ever seen. I know it's an old city, but so is NY and Philly and Boston, those cities are leaps and bounds better than Baltimore. I have also lived in other areas of the country and have never seen so many ignorant people crammed into one area, it's actually kinda scary. A lot of people in and around the city drive aggressively, and don't seem to have an actual clue on what good driving skills are. People here do seem bitter and lack civility towards each other. TO BE FAIR, there are some very nice, normal and civil people in the city and around it, but we need more of you because you're grossly overpowered!

Your statement seems to be full of contradictions. At one point, you say that we need "more people like you" but before that, you state that the city can be full of "bitter people that lack civility". It confuses me.

I also lived in Boston for a few years before moving to Baltimore. You are correct. Coming from Boston, Baltimore can be quite a shock, culturally. It is not Boston, a city I truely love. I lived in the South End of Boston before it became the place it is today. It had it's issues. Boston has a vibrancy Baltimore lacks. It has much better mass transit. It is a city I really love and still holds a warm place in my heart. I was there recently in late August for four days and I found myself asking, "Why the hell am I in Baltimore?"

Then reality hit. I guess it all depends on what a person considers the more important priorities in one's life. When I lived in Boston, I was in a one bedroom apartment. It was great. But, it was also all I could afford. In Baltimore, I am in a neighborhood that I love with a big home and a yard and also being close to a park. It cost the same as that one-bedoom apartment.

I guess if your young without to many responsibilities, Boston is a finer fit. But for me personally, I prefer Baltimore. Does Baltimore have issues? You bet! I can live with them. I know our city has a government that needs work. I know our city has a crime rate that is still outrageous. Given all that, I will still take it over practically any other city in the country. Now, find me a place that I can walk to downtown and work and have the space that I have here for the same price, I'd move back to Boston. But, until that happens---Baltimore is home.

Are there cities out there nicer than Baltimore? You bet! Boston is tops on my list. NYC is another. But, if you tell me I can have my lifestyle in Houston or Atlanta or Phoenix or Detroit or most of America--forget it. It's Baltimore all the way hon. And for the folks out there who think hon is the wrong thing to say---forget about it.

By the way, I love Philly too. I want to add that the third season of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" was released this week. If you get a chance, watch it.

[ToughLuv]

No need to worry too much, If you use common sense and dont stay in a "slum" area per say you should be fine. I spent 18 years in West Baltimore and never once had a crime commited against me but I moved to Newport News, VA and in only my second month of living here I was rob at gun point in an apartment complex. And even though Newport News has somewhat of a crime problem its not comparable to Baltimores. So it's no so much of being worried about the city just being smart, which shouldnt be hard, your probably an intelligent guy .

[ajacksb]

I work for the city. A few of the people ranting on here seem to have other issues besides the place in which they live, but that's besides the point.

Though I'm relatively new to Baltimore, I work with multiple city agencies and am involved in a few long range policy initiatives. The people I work with, and the administration at large have made large gains in improving how the city looks and functions. A few initiatives are already visible - Operation Orange Cone, single stream recycling, Tree Baltimore, etc. There is a goal of creating master plans for every single Baltimore neighborhood. There is also investment in areas of the city which would have been unthinkable 10 years ago (Oliver, EBDI, Mondawmin, etc). I've also found accountability at every level of government - including department heads being grilled during Citistat by the mayor's staff - even over small things which may only make $1000 difference in the budget. I enjoy the challenge and feel good going to work knowing good ideas are welcomed and that every agency is on the same page in continually trying to improve the city. It is a long process, though. Years of neglect take time to undo.

To the haters - comparing Baltimore to NYC or Boston isn't entirely fair. Turn it around and talk to people who've been in Baltimore for 10 or 20 years. I've heard many times it's like somebody turned on the lights when O'Malley took over. The progress he made is continuing with the current administration.

To all those people who are telling newcomers to move to the suburbs - Baltimore is made for the future, especially with $5/gallon gas on the horizon. Transit in the city will continue to improve and more residents will be able to live comfortably without cars. More neighborhoods will be revitalized as the economy improves. The sense of safety will improve as well as more and more visitors and new residents fill the streets.

I'll admit I am biased towards cities. Living in a homogeneous neighborhood with identical houses, identical socioeconomic groups, acres of unused open space and chained to a car just to get a gallon of milk is not my idea of the American Dream. I'm proud to be able to say I'm taking part in a process that will bring a city back to life and give people a healthier (for the environment and for themselves) alternative to the suburbs.

[baltimore's best]

Originally Posted by ToughLuv

No need to worry too much, If you use common sense and dont stay in a "slum" area per say you should be fine. I spent 18 years in West Baltimore and never once had a crime commited against me but I moved to Newport News, VA and in only my second month of living here I was rob at gun point in an apartment complex. And even though Newport News has somewhat of a crime problem its not comparable to Baltimores. So it's no so much of being worried about the city just being smart, which shouldnt be hard, your probably an intelligent guy .

Yipes! I guess Fells Point/Canton are now slums. Very unfortunate incident last night proves it doesn't matter where you go. A multiple shooting/murder occurred near the Fells/Canton waterfront at Captain James, a few blocks South of Patterson Park-remember that place with no crime?

[bosoxrule]

[quote=jonjj;5243968]Your statement seems to be full of contradictions. At one point, you say that we need "more people like you" but before that, you state that the city can be full of "bitter people that lack civility". It confuses me.[quote]

Jon, it wasn't meant as a contradicting statement, sorry you interpreted it that way. Basically I was saying that yes, Baltimore seems to have many people that are bitter and lack civility, BUT I was being fair and said that there are SOME nice people here and we need more of YOU NICE PEOPLE to make the city a little more friendly.

I'm glad you found what makes you happy. I guess we all have things that affect us in different ways. I'm a New England boy at heart and I guess I miss the New England culture. Boston is a great city, but since it's become so popular it is very expensive to live there. I'm really looking for a city that has a brighter facade and looks like it has more to offer, just don't see it here in Baltimore, not yet anyway.

Ajaxb, in response to your comments. . . It seems your job is rewarding to you and that you're helping the city make progress. I haven't lived here before O'Mally was mayor so I have no idea what it was like, but I hear stories. I look at Baltimore from the standpoint of being in other cities and looking at the way the city is setup for urban living. Baltimore just seems to be behind the times to me, with a lack of public transportation options, downtown shopping, good reliable businesses etc. As far as city government is concerned, my roommate and I have had many dealings with Baltimore City and they have never been without attitude or confusion. Seems the city government is very disorganized and you don't get a "helpful" attitude when dealing with them. I have dealt with the property tax office, building permit office, dog license, parking permit etc etc etc and all with hassles and multiple phone calls. Even the recent recycle bin distribution was a big mess. I really do hope for a brighter future for this city, but for now it has to step up the pace to meet par. And par would be other US cities that have an upswing in population because it's a desirable place to live.

[helenejen]

Originally Posted by ajacksb

I work for the city. A few of the people ranting on here seem to have other issues besides the place in which they live, but that's besides the point.

Though I'm relatively new to Baltimore, I work with multiple city agencies and am involved in a few long range policy initiatives. The people I work with, and the administration at large have made large gains in improving how the city looks and functions. A few initiatives are already visible - Operation Orange Cone, single stream recycling, Tree Baltimore, etc. There is a goal of creating master plans for every single Baltimore neighborhood. There is also investment in areas of the city which would have been unthinkable 10 years ago (Oliver, EBDI, Mondawmin, etc). I've also found accountability at every level of government - including department heads being grilled during Citistat by the mayor's staff - even over small things which may only make $1000 difference in the budget. I enjoy the challenge and feel good going to work knowing good ideas are welcomed and that every agency is on the same page in continually trying to improve the city. It is a long process, though. Years of neglect take time to undo.

To the haters - comparing Baltimore to NYC or Boston isn't entirely fair. Turn it around and talk to people who've been in Baltimore for 10 or 20 years. I've heard many times it's like somebody turned on the lights when O'Malley took over. The progress he made is continuing with the current administration.

To all those people who are telling newcomers to move to the suburbs - Baltimore is made for the future, especially with $5/gallon gas on the horizon. Transit in the city will continue to improve and more residents will be able to live comfortably without cars. More neighborhoods will be revitalized as the economy improves. The sense of safety will improve as well as more and more visitors and new residents fill the streets.

I'll admit I am biased towards cities. Living in a homogeneous neighborhood with identical houses, identical socioeconomic groups, acres of unused open space and chained to a car just to get a gallon of milk is not my idea of the American Dream. I'm proud to be able to say I'm taking part in a process that will bring a city back to life and give people a healthier (for the environment and for themselves) alternative to the suburbs.

If you had anything to do with Operation Orange Cone finally making it's way to Fayette between Lakewood and Clinton, THANK YOU!!!! Now if we can keep the trucks off the soon-to-be-new pavement on Fayette, I'll be supremely happy!

[medfieldbum]

Well put, jonjj! It seems that Patterson Park area (right on Baltimore Street) is working out for you. And you're right, life is full of tradeoffs, which is why we live in the city (still): hate the commute and limited thinking and judgmental narrow-mindedness (is that a word?) of some folk in certain areas of the county. That being said, I have also encountered the nasty people in Baltimore and the sometimes stupid response of some of our public servants--but it's mostly good. On Saturday, a huge tree fell out of the woods and completely blocked our street. We were able to drive out the other way to go to the gym. When we got back after a couple of hours, the tree and 99% of its debris were gone, and it was neatly sawed off at its base. Is this a great city or what?! Its biggest challenges are crime, a dysfunctional criminal justice system, extreme poverty and ignorance, and the mostly lousy schools.

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by baltimore's best

Yipes! I guess Fells Point/Canton are now slums. Very unfortunate incident last night proves it doesn't matter where you go. A multiple shooting/murder occurred near the Fells/Canton waterfront at Captain James, a few blocks South of Patterson Park-remember that place with no crime?

This is the third homicide in the entire southeast district for 2008. It occured at 230 in the morning. Chances are there was some drinking/drugs involved. I am not making excuses for it. I am just saying that I doubt it effects me to much or anyone in the southeast area. The police for the area are stating that crime has continued to drop both in this area and throughout the city. It won't magically disappear over night.
The best of areas/neighborhoods in every city experience a tragedy every now and then. Sad fact but a true fact.

[ToughLuv]

Originally Posted by baltimore's best

Yipes! I guess Fells Point/Canton are now slums. Very unfortunate incident last night proves it doesn't matter where you go. A multiple shooting/murder occurred near the Fells/Canton waterfront at Captain James, a few blocks South of Patterson Park-remember that place with no crime?

Cmon man, it's still Baltimore, MD at the end of the day, its no secrect its rough ok, but lets not act like there arent pockets in the city where you can be much safer than in others (as in any other city). As I said, 18 years in Baltimore and I never had any crimes committed against me. So dont make the city worse than it is (like its Iraq or something) because it doesnt help.

[charmedone]

one thing is there is no help in the city. there is no money being given to try to improve anything.