European young couple moving to Baltimore or to Washington (Annapolis: appointed, lease)

[Streetchie]

Here's what's going on in my old neighborhood-Pigtown, but it could be any 'hood in Baltimore. Be careful.

From the City Paper
The numbers—50 burglaries in 90 days—are pretty darn accurate, it turns out, and easily confirmed by going to the Baltimore Police Department web site and doing some crime-mapping. What’s more, by comparing the three weeks between Halloween and Thanksgiving to the two three-week periods prior to that, it is clear that Pigtown’s crime situation is getting worse quickly.

During the 23 days from Halloween to Thanksgiving, 37 crimes were reported in Pigtown, including one rape, seven aggravated assaults (two involving guns, two cuttings, two by hand, and one using some other weapon), six robberies (four involving guns), seven burglaries from house break-ins (and another five burglaries of other types of places), and six larcenies from autos. Although the three weeks leading up to Halloween had 39 crimes, they were comparatively less horrific, with no rapes, two aggravated assaults (both cuttings), no robberies, 10 burglaries from house break-ins (plus three burglaries of other types of places), and 11 larcenies from autos—and five stolen cars. And during the three weeks before that, it was all but tranquil with 27 crimes reported: no rapes, no aggravated assaults, one armed robbery, eight burglaries from house break-ins (and another five burglaries of other types of places), nine larcenies from autos, and one car theft.

In addition to the recent rape and the rise in aggravated assaults, Pigtown residents’ fears are justified by the sudden preference for gun use while committing crimes—especially since so many burglaries are occurring in people’s homes, increasing the chance of an armed confrontation. It didn’t help when, as another resident reported, a dead body turned up behind one of Pigtown’s many abandoned houses on the day after Thanksgiving.

[barante]

$100 in Baltimore? Never happened.
Prostitution has always been with us and always will. What is different now is that much of it nowadays is driven by addiction. Dope is the pimp. That drives prices down when a woman is desperate for a fix,
One of our former neighbors on Union Square bought a house in the 1960 where she was never able to see one room. It belonged to a woman who was always entertaining. Another room, on the third floor, was occupied by an invalid who used empty bottles as bed pans.
The many flavors of Baltimore!

[vivo]

updates???

[ElenaenParis]

Hi, it's done. We're moving to Baltimore in April and now we're looking for a rental apartment in Baltimore. In fact, we haven't decided yet where we are going to live but Fells Point seems to be a nice place for living (at least more safety and modern than others). Do you know the apartments The Crescent, The Eden or Spinnaker ?
I've visited the web pages and they seem great. But I don't know Baltimore and I don't know the neibourghood....What do you think about these residences? The money it's not a problem because the rental is payed by our company in france. Could you please tell me your opinion about them ? Thank you !!!

[jonjj]

They are all in a great location and nice places. A friend of mine had an open house party and invited me to the Eden. great place.

[jiraiya]

Originally Posted by helenejen

On a personal note, I lived in Chicago for years and, since my move, have thoroughly enjoyed living in Baltimore for the last 16 months.

I live in Chicago and am about to move to the area. I dont want to leave the Chicago lifestlye! Since you have lived in both areas for a good period of time, do you have any recommendations for living? Thanks.

[iknowbaltimore]

The Spinnaker has an incredible pool on the roof- with an amazing view- it's in the cluster of all the shops and restaurants, movie theater @ Harbor East. The Eden seems really cool- it's next door to Pazo - a beautiful restaurant/club. It's between Fells and Harbor East- not a far walk from either. All pretty safe.

[hairmetal4ever]

Originally Posted by ElenaenParis

Hi, I think you've got a romantic idea of Paris and it's true... when you're a turist and you have lot of time to hang about !!! The really way of life in Paris is working, sometimes going to a restaurant, sport, and living in a little appartment very expensive and looking for a bigger one but impossible to find out, so many people goes away and live in the suburbs... I love Paris, but it is so much big for having a "normal" life : one hour in metro for visiting your best friend, lots of people while shopping, no way to buy a house cause not payed enough...
I think that living in DC might be more international and more interesting but I do agree that commuting is hard to do and I don't like driving (little accident when younger).
How many time in rush hours for driving from DC to Baltimore ? Is there another town near DC or Baltimore interesting to live in ? someone told me about Annapolis.... but I don't known at all
What about crime ? I'm sorry, but the european people have an idea of the USA made in medias (TV...) and it scares me
thank you again

For your crime question:

Coincidentially enough, both Baltimore and Washington are among the worst examples of crime in the US and make the US live up to it's high-crime reputation...HOWEVER:

In the right neighborhoods, you'll be as safe or safer than anywhere in Paris. In Baltimore, if you stay near Fells Point, Canton, or the Inner Harbor, you'll be as safe as could be expected...and in Washington, DuPont Circle, the areas around the White House, and most of Northwest Washington are relatively safe as well. Yes there is crime in both cities, but to be fair, 25% of each city has HORRIBLE crime, and the rest is rather safe. That's true in most American cities in fact. Stay out of that 25% and you'll be fine.

[bawlmer]

Unfortunately you are wrong about Baltimore being as safe or safer than Paris. In 2006 Paris had a murder rate of 2 per 100,000. Baltimore was more than three times that rate at 7 per 100,000. Baltimore's violent crime rate is 553 per 100,000, while the State Department says violent crime in Paris is "uncommon." You may be correct (although I doubt it) that certain neighborhoods are equal in safety, but this would take more than an anecdotal analysis of what neighborhoods are safe. Who wants to live in a new city always fearful of wandering into the wrong neighborhood? The best advice I can give someone is to stay away from Baltimore until the crime problem is addressed.

[iknowbaltimore]

If the thought that thug life does not exist in Paris- think again. This happened 12 miles north of Paris proper:
Violence flares anew in Paris suburbs - International Herald Tribune

Again- ElenaenParis-- take it from people who really live here and love it- it's completely possible to live a fun and interesting life in Baltimore and avoid trouble. It's exciting that you are moving here from Paris- if you need a friendly voice and any positive info that will help in your stay- please send me a message. My husband and I are great tourguides.