Moving to area soon, suggestions? (Baltimore, Mount Vernon: apartments, for rent, crime)

[benj87]

Hi, me and the fiance are in the process of relocating to the Baltimore area. I have family that is established in the Fed hill neighborhood. We both absolutely love the city and its a nice change of pace from our current location (Hickory, NC). We both would like to settle in the city and although I have been up there quite a few times, I am still learning the area. I am Caucasian late mid 20's my fiance is Mexican mid 20's. She is very concerned about being in a location where we can still enjoy things from her culture. My questions are as follows:

1) Any panaderias/carnicerías or things of that nature would help make her feel more at home. Where might these be located?

2) Any suggestions on safe neighborhoods with reasonable rent? I am familiar with Federal Hill, Fells point area pretty well.

3) Here in NC we have a jobs database maintained by the employment security commission. Something similar in Maryland or specifically Baltimore that could help with job placement?

Any help would be great.

***EDIT, I have seen the neighborhood sticky, I am looking for people who have lived there and can speak from experience.

[davecj]

what is a reasonable amount of rent for you?

[pwduvall]

Originally Posted by benj87

Hi, me and the fiance are in the process of relocating to the Baltimore area. I have family that is established in the Fed hill neighborhood. We both absolutely love the city and its a nice change of pace from our current location (Hickory, NC). We both would like to settle in the city and although I have been up there quite a few times, I am still learning the area. I am Caucasian late mid 20's my fiance is Mexican mid 20's. She is very concerned about being in a location where we can still enjoy things from her culture. My questions are as follows:

1) Any panaderias/carnicerías or things of that nature would help make her feel more at home. Where might these be located?

2) Any suggestions on safe neighborhoods with reasonable rent? I am familiar with Federal Hill, Fells point area pretty well.

3) Here in NC we have a jobs database maintained by the employment security commission. Something similar in Maryland or specifically Baltimore that could help with job placement?

Any help would be great.

***EDIT, I have seen the neighborhood sticky, I am looking for people who have lived there and can speak from experience.

Your fiance might like Highlandtown or North Fells Point. Those areas area aren't as spiffy as Federal Hill but there are a decent amount of Latino people and businesses there. Keep in mind that the majority of Baltimore's Latinos are Central American and not Mexican.

[benj87]

Where I live currently, rent can range from 500 to 1400. Reasonable for me would be 1000. I've checked a few ads around Baltimore and I've seen places for that price, but also found places double that price.

[LouisDS]

Originally Posted by benj87

Hi, me and the fiance are in the process of relocating to the Baltimore area. I have family that is established in the Fed hill neighborhood. We both absolutely love the city and its a nice change of pace from our current location (Hickory, NC). We both would like to settle in the city and although I have been up there quite a few times, I am still learning the area. I am Caucasian late mid 20's my fiance is Mexican mid 20's. She is very concerned about being in a location where we can still enjoy things from her culture. My questions are as follows:

1) Any panaderias/carnicerías or things of that nature would help make her feel more at home. Where might these be located?

2) Any suggestions on safe neighborhoods with reasonable rent? I am familiar with Federal Hill, Fells point area pretty well.

3) Here in NC we have a jobs database maintained by the employment security commission. Something similar in Maryland or specifically Baltimore that could help with job placement?

Any help would be great.

***EDIT, I have seen the neighborhood sticky, I am looking for people who have lived there and can speak from experience.

That sounds very Upper Fells Point to me. You will be in Latino-city in terms of small businesses and a large proportion of the population is hispanic. However the majority will be white, especially if you are closer to Patterson Park Ave. If you go East closer to Broadway, than it's more hispanic and black, if it makes a difference.

Good area overall, no real crime issue. Very close to the Fells Point/Canton action and convenient to the Harbor and Fed Hill via Lombard street.

Edit: budget could be a problem. 2 beds go for about 1600/1700 nothing fancy.

Edit (2): actually I see a couple of option between 1200 and 1400. Again nothing fancy but for a couple without kids that could work. http://www.trulia.com/for_rent/3743_nh/2p_beds/map_v

[benj87]

Originally Posted by LouisDS

That sounds very Upper Fells Point to me. You will be in Latino-city in terms of small businesses and a large proportion of the population is hispanic. However the majority will be white, especially if you are closer to Patterson Park Ave. If you go East closer to Broadway, than it's more hispanic and black, if it makes a difference.

Good area overall, no real crime issue. Very close to the Fells Point/Canton action and convenient to the Harbor and Fed Hill via Lombard street.

Edit: budget could be a problem. 2 beds go for about 1600/1700 nothing fancy.

Edit (2): actually I see a couple of option between 1200 and 1400. Again nothing fancy but for a couple without kids that could work. Upper Fells Point 2 bedrooms Apartments For Rent — Trulia.com

Thanks, Ive been reading about the area you mentioned. There is an Pub in Fells Point called Slaintes we both dig. I'm also interested in Bolton Hill area. Thoughts on that area?

[pwduvall]

Originally Posted by benj87

Thanks, Ive been reading about the area you mentioned. There is an Pub in Fells Point called Slaintes we both dig. I'm also interested in Bolton Hill area. Thoughts on that area?

Bolton Hill is great so long as you don't mind that there is very little in the way of commerce in the neighborhood. Fortunately, Mount Vernon and Station North are relatively close at hand. The State Center Metro stop and a light rail stop are also relatively close at hand.

BH has a very different feel from those Southeast Baltimore neighborhoods. That is something that you will have experience first hand.

[benj87]

Originally Posted by pwduvall

Bolton Hill is great so long as you don't mind that there is very little in the way of commerce in the neighborhood. Fortunately, Mount Vernon and Station North are relatively close at hand. The State Center Metro stop and a light rail stop are also relatively close at hand.

That is one of the things I enjoy about Fed Hill. Light street has SO MUCH.

My brother was telling me about some sort of light rail that runs from Hunts Valley into Baltimore. I am assuming the rail you mentioned is the one he was talking about.