Brooklyn Park: Is it really that bad?

[are you kidinme?]

Originally Posted by shutupjamie

We went back to look at the neighborhood saturday night, and it was really not bad at all. People out doing yard work, kids riding bikes, people walking their dogs. Unfortunately the house we wanted sold on friday, so I'm really bummed.



We're a young couple in our 20s, no plans for kids anytime soon, and we don't exactly make bank. We don't care about great schools and beautifully groomed neighborhoods with nice, big houses. I'm just looking for a place where I don't have to look over my shoulder whenever I walk down the street alone. You made it sound like that's an impossible request.

I think most people living in Baltimore look over their shoulders when they're walking the streets. I know I do. More than half of the people I know have either been robbed, had their purse snatched, assaulted, or suffered a theft. Including my own daughter in Patterson Park on a Saturday afternoon in the summer. When my wife works late she stops at the house to pick up our dog to take with her while she's walking home from whatever nether region she's had to park. I'm trying to hit you with the facts, not some long ago lost sense of security that some other posters still long for. You will ultimately do what you want to, but don't say no one told you.

[shutupjamie]

Originally Posted by are you kidinme?

I think most people living in Baltimore look over their shoulders when they're walking the streets. I know I do. More than half of the people I know have either been robbed, had their purse snatched, assaulted, or suffered a theft. Including my own daughter in Patterson Park on a Saturday afternoon in the summer. When my wife works late she stops at the house to pick up our dog to take with her while she's walking home from whatever nether region she's had to park. I'm trying to hit you with the facts, not some long ago lost sense of security that some other posters still long for. You will ultimately do what you want to, but don't say no one told you.

Well I do appreciate you not trying to sugar coat things. Just the way you said it made it sound like anything that isn't an upscale neighborhood is straight ghetto. I know there is crime everywhere, but I also know that some places aren't as bad as others.

[are you kidinme?]

Originally Posted by shutupjamie

Well I do appreciate you not trying to sugar coat things. Just the way you said it made it sound like anything that isn't an upscale neighborhood is straight ghetto. I know there is crime everywhere, but I also know that some places aren't as bad as others.

No, I didn't mean to say everyone has to live in an upscale area. I wouldn't classify my neighborhood as upscale. I'm just saying Baltimore has a notorious crime problem and the police are ineffective in preventing it. They seem to respond after the fact just fine. So, be careful and if you decide Baltimore City is the place for you then expect to have "run ins" with the bad guys on occasion.

I have plenty of detractors here who engage in personal attacks and suggest that anyone who points out Baltimore's flaws should shut-up and leave the city. I'm afraid that's how this place got the way it is. Anyone who took their head out of the sand took off. Good luck to you and stay low.

[shutupjamie]

Originally Posted by are you kidinme?

No, I didn't mean to say everyone has to live in an upscale area. I wouldn't classify my neighborhood as upscale. I'm just saying Baltimore has a notorious crime problem and the police are ineffective in preventing it. They seem to respond after the fact just fine. So, be careful and if you decide Baltimore City is the place for you then expect to have "run ins" with the bad guys on occasion.

I have plenty of detractors here who engage in personal attacks and suggest that anyone who points out Baltimore's flaws should shut-up and leave the city. I'm afraid that's how this place got the way it is. Anyone who took their head out of the sand took off. Good luck to you and stay low.

Yeah, we're hoping to find a place outside of the city, in a decent neighborhood in Baltimore County. I know Baltimore doesn't have the best reputation, but from what I gather most people who live there love it! I'm hoping this will be the case. And thanks for the advice

[B.K.]

Don't kid yourself about Baltimore. This is a tough little burg. I've been a victim on several occasions, and am not involved in drugs, gangs, or a criminal lifestyle, and know enough about inner-city living to avoid becoming a target-but crime happens here anyway.

areyoukiddin'me wrote:
I'm just saying Baltimore has a notorious crime problem and the police are ineffective in preventing it. They seem to respond after the fact just fine.

Happy that's been your experience. The last time our cars were stolen from in front of the house, the cops didn't even come out to fill out a report. We had to go to Northeastern District and pick one up-and all we got was a case number for the insurance company, no kind of incident/police report. "Wholly ineffectual" is how I would describe policing in Baltimore.

[ItalianExec]

If you dont feel safe walking your dog in the neighborhood your considering buying...whats the point?

If you dont have kdis, why not consider a rowhouse in the one of neighborhoods that is being gentrified near Camden yards?

[shutupjamie]

Originally Posted by ItalianExec

If you dont feel safe walking your dog in the neighborhood your considering buying...whats the point?

If you dont have kdis, why not consider a rowhouse in the one of neighborhoods that is being gentrified near Camden yards?

That is why I posted the question. I loved the house but had not seen much of the area. All I knew was people telling me how awful it was so I was wondering if I was missing something. I wouldn't buy it if I didn't feel safe there. After seeing more of the neighborhood, I think I would have felt safe, but the house sold so we're back to square one.

We would also prefer not to live in the actual city.