Relocating to Baltimore and scared as hell!!!! (Towson, Catonsville: apartment complex, condo)

[edrican]

Thanks for all the replys,Im still looking into it.

[barante]

I am told that there are many rehabs going unsold around Patterson Park area, which was touted as a cheaper alternative for Canton. The park is wonderful, the neighbors -- mostly gentrifyers (or is it gentrificators?). Does the area have problems? Yes, but they are manageable. Steady crackdowns have diminished the long-standing prostitution problem, for example.
My point? If there indeed is a glut of unsold rehabs, prices should be getting reasonable.

[Blaine]

Im cracking up at the posts regarding ticketing everything under the sun. I just got my bill, saying I owe 900 bucks. Yup, a grand total of 900 dollars from random fines theyve hit me for....I got tired of mailing a check for something dumb every single week, and just let it accumulate, hitting me with 1 mega bill. It will be a grand day when my house is sold and I am OUT of maryland for good!

here's a good example of baltimores finest in action....they cant fight crime, but they sure know how to wield a ticket book:
I drove away from home, just to realize before I got off my street that Id left my flat iron turned on. I turned the car around, parked in front of my house and ran inside to turn it off.
Within 2 minutes of running in the house, a cop was ticketing me for parking backwards...my car was still running! I ran out of my house, and the cop wasnt even at my windshield yet...I told them I was just leaving, that my car was even still running!! the cop just shrugged at me, and said "already wrote it up" and shoved a scribbled ticket in my hand. Have some friggin decency, people! Where were they when my truck was stolen last week?? Theyre "Johnny on the spot" for a car stopped for 1 minute...but when something important happens, they're nowhere to be found. Unbelievable.

[Zippy7fo]

Sounds like B-more following DC method to increase revenue streams. Although now Bmore is shady in some parts remember that in the next 30 years this city will go through a major transformation because of the high cost of living and all the smart talented people moving to Bmore because they can't afford DC. I think the city has a great future especially if they stop the madness with the school system....

[mtbchick]

It is interesting to read all of these threads about Baltimore. Many are pretty negative. What you may find even more interesting is that if you read forums about any other major metropolitan area in the US, you will hear many of the same sentiments: crime, corruption, drugs, prostitution, etc.

I've lived in the Baltimore area now for 19 years. I've lived both in the suburbs and the city. Currently I live in the suburbs and they are not for me. My husband and I are planning on moving back to the city because we miss it so much.

If you are not an urban person, then I don't suggest moving to the city.

Baltimore is a city which I like to call the big little city. For years Baltimore has suffered from corruption and poor management - I'll give you this. But there are many areas of Baltimore that are becoming truly urban - much like areas of DC and Manhattan. Recently the Baltimore Sun had a wonderful article about the growing east downtown. In fact, this area is becoming so popular that Legg Mason is moving to a building in the area. Additionally, we have a growing Latino population in the east baltimore/Fells Point area.

I lived in Hampden, one of the neighborhoods that has taken so much abuse here, for 6 years. Hampden is what it is. It is a mix of urban, liberal folks and old-school blue-collar locals. If you didn't know this before you moved to the neighborhood, then you didn't do your homework. Hampden has it's charm, like any other neighborhood, but it can also have it's faults, like any other neighborhood. In Hampden I had some of the nicest neighbors I've ever had in my life. I also had a couple of neighbors who I would have been happy to never see again. The locals: Well, I think it may not be so much that they are racist, but more so I think they are beginning to resent we the type of people who they may see as "invading" their neighborhood. I'm not sure. I've met racists all over the place. Remember, don't assume just because a neighborhood is "well to do" that it is not racist. I've met some of the worst right-wing Republicans in many areas - especially in the suburbs of Baltimore.

If you are moving to Baltimore, you have to consider some factors:
1. Do you want to live in a truly urban neighborhood? One that is popular? Then you may want to choose the Federal Hill, Fells Point, or Canton areas. However, keep in mind that these areas have become expensive and parking can be at a premium - it's all about location, location, location. Other urban neighborhoods mid-town include Mt. Vernon. I've never lived here, but many folks love this area.
2. Do you want to live in a slightly less urban, slightly less popular, perhaps slightly less expensive neighborhood? Then you may want to choose a neighborhood like Hampden or Woodberry.

There are many other neighborhoods that can be great! You simply must do your homework.

Someone mentioned Roland Park. Roland Park is a wonderful neighborhood, but one of the most expensive around. It gives you a slightly suburban setting, far from downtown, but one that is a nice walking neighborhood.

Taxes - the property taxes in Baltimore can be high - it depends on the area - once again - location, location, location.

Now, this said, you can choose the suburbs. I don't consider the suburbs to be Baltimore though. Towson is NOT Baltimore. Towson tends to be its own entity. There are affordable houses. However, be warned, that no area is completely safe. Home invasions, robberies, drugs, etc. happen in the suburbs too.

Columbia, is well, even less "Baltimore" than Towson, for sure. Columbia is a "planned community" which began in the early 1960's. Personally, I prefer a more "organic" feel whereever I live. Columbia has always seemed "stepford-like" to me. Additionally, Columbia has now run its course and now has its share of "bad" neighborhoods. Ask any Howard County police officer.

My suggestion would be to do your homework. I would also like to suggest that any advice you see here should be taken with a grain of salt - hey, maybe even mine!

Do some research. Determine what kind of neighborhood in which you would like to live. Determine how much you can afford. It can be scary, I understand. But you might also find a great place to live!

Good luck. You're welcome to post any other questions you have of me here.

[skeewee8]

I taught in Baltimore City foor about 15 years and lived in Harford County all my life. I finally left that school system after my family begged me to get out. I taught all over the city and you could not give me a free house anywhere in the city. Believe everything you read from people who live there. I enjoyed the ride in and to socialize and motivate inner city youth. Live in the burbs and drive in for entertainment. Your safety is more important. it is ridden with crime believe what you read. And know the data is not showing all the crime it is truly higher.

[JDSantana]

If you find you want to rent short term and scope the area, I am a new single mother of 1 child and a dog living in a Rancher on Fenced 1 acre. Park setting relaxing. suburban living South Westminster, MD. The room is 19 X 12 and share kitchen, bath and laundry. You could get a feel of the area WITHOUT the appartment contract of 1 yr. Asking $500/month + security 1 month includes utilities. JDSantana@Juno.com (subject: Rancher rent) No Smoking..

Originally Posted by 1coolgyrl

My job is relocating me from Houston to Baltimore and sent me out there last week to check out the area and find a place to live. I am now more lost than I was before I went there! The area is soooo sketchy. One block would look awesome and two blocks across was a ghetto scene. I'm looking to rent and it seemed like every unit i saw was either in a bad area or missing amenities that i consider basic like a dishwasher, or a bathtub. I dont think my budget of $1100 for a 1 bdrm is too bad. I'm a single 26yr old with no kids and want to be close to all the action (i.e. restaurants, theaters, night spots)
Please, someone tell me where I should live or if I should avoid Baltimore all together and choose suburban living (which would kinda sucks cause i'm single )

ANY advice you have would be DEEPLY appreciated!!!

[dickens]

Seriously, I weep for anyone who "has to live here". Feel free to run a search on Baltimore crime. It is heartbreaking/horrifying and very much a reality. I work off North Ave. and I feel like I am on borrowed time. Conversely, I have met wonderful people here--but all the same I am terrified by this place.

[NYMTman]

My mother and I lived in Baltimore for 18 months and swiftly left due to crime. Our house was broken into and some scuzz-bag held a knife to her throat (she was 62 years old at the time!). Made off with a lot of valuables, but thankfully she was left unharmed.

Don't even move to the suburbs; they're too close. Try southern Pennsylvania. New Freedom, York, etc. Pennsylvania is generally both cheaper and safer than Maryland, even the rural areas of Maryland. Plus it's beautiful. Just move as far away from Baltimore as you can, while remaining within commuting distance. The ghettos spread like wildfire, and the suburbs close to the city are falling like dominos.

[Adios Baltimore]

I had to reply to this becase we are actually thinking very seriously about relocating to the Austin area.
I guess you can tell by my screen name that I'm done with Baltimore. I have lived in the suburbs of Baltimore all my life and now that I have a 2 yo daughter I know it's time to move. I can't think of anywhere that I would want to send her to school that I can afford to live. Housing is ridiculous and for what?
I just started working in Baltimore and I am scared just to drive there. I have a methadone clinic right outside the hospital where I work that I was told sees about 500 people a day. I'm not even downtown.
What you are reading about the police, neighbors, crime, etc is all true.
I'm am afraid you will relocate and hate it. Please think long and hard about it. Is the job really worth it? Probably not.

LOL whoever wrote about the limping! SO TRUE! I think it's the homeless begging for money that limp so we believe they are injured, can't work and need money.