Baltimore neighborhoods - where to live/buy? (Essex, Middle River: environment, estate)

[bawlmer]

Originally Posted by carolott

And here's a question.... for those who hate the city so much and can't wait to leave -- are you going to instruct your realtor to tell every prospective buyer that your house is in a bad neighborhood full of criminals and violent crime? Or if you sell the house yourself, will your ad state that the house is in a terrbile neighborhood in a filthy crime-ridden city?

Or does the "full disclosure" policy only apply to others?

No I won't. I have been enlightened by all of you. I am clearly in the minority here and will henceforth take your advice and try to screw over anyone looking for a home in my neighborhood. Or maybe I'll just let my real estate agent do it for me. This appears to be the philosophy expressed by the majority here. Not just by the incredible "minimum disclosures" euiphemism, but by the entire crime is bad in Baltimore, but it's not effecting me attitude.
My short time on this board has left me even more disheartened. The lack of frankness in some posts here is incredible. People are able to say things like they have 50 neighbors who have never experienced a crime and they have walked down Eastern Ave to Downtown and didn't see any trash. Patterson Park is safe (oh, except for the police shooting-glad it wasn't me). The Harbor is near perfect (can we get some help over here pulling this body out). Those folks are allowed, even encouraged to post some of the most ridiculous comments (don't try to convince people with your facts and figures) and no one says, whoa, wait a minute, that doesn't make sense. BUT, I try to make rational arguments of my opinion, backed up with fact, and I am vilified.
I guess that's why Baltimore is where it is today. We have a huge population with it's head in the sand, most of whom are happy if it's someone else who is a victim, but are not interested in addressing the problem in any meaningful way. I have been attacked personally by people who claim to know everything about me from my financial situation to my psychological state. That doesn't bother me. What does bother me is that no one else on this message board speaks up. The rules of the board say no personal attacks. But if it's slamming Bawlmer, that's ok. Again, it speaks volumes about the regular posters here. My agruments have been called tired. I have 71 posts, the are others on here with 200, 300, 500 posts, all presenting the same point of view. Their arguments aren't tired? Honestly, I'm tired of reading the posts from people making minimum disclosures about the city and representing a pollyanna viewpoint that as long as they are ok, life is great. In spite of this, I have never discouraged anyone from posting their point of view.
I hope readers from out of the area will go through the posts and seperate fact from fiction. Baltimore is not all bad. But, my opinion is that it is mostly bad.

[Baltimorenewbie]

I have been debating whether I should rent or buy. I do agree that renting for while to get familiar with the neighborhoods may be a good thought. But then again, I don't want to move multiple times.

I've thought about how long I would be in Baltimore (at this time, I think a minimum of 3 years, potentially up to a permanent position) and tried to weigh that in with buying (and chances of appreciation of property - and most people have suggested Federal Hill on this aspect - but then again, these people were Federal Hill residents so...). The length of time I would be in Baltimore depends on how much I will like the city (since the job is great). I would really like to be have my own place...I've been renting for so long, I would like a place I can call my own. But at the same time, if it's a bad investment (I actually don't mind just breaking even), I suppose i should rent...sorry for the rambling. It's a touch decision. Thanks for the input!!

[jonjj]

I really think in three years time, you will come out ahead. The market always has ups and downs and typically that time span lasts no more than about three years. I remember LA about ten years ago going through this and they bounced back with even higher prices. The market fluctuates and we need to take that into consideration when buying. But three years??? You're safe--at least at breaking even and I am being as pessimistic as I can be.

[amelluz]

If you are buying for investing purposes, then don't buy right now. If you are buying a home to live in for at least a couple years, then do what makes you happy. i think if you stay for a few years, you'll probably at least break even. Baltimore is not the safest, but as a 26 year old woman, I feel safe here. Renting for a couple of months might make you feel better about picking a neighborhood, but I have friends that live in both fed hill and canton, and they are both happy with their neighborhoods. good luck

[miknbalt]

Buying for investing is fine if you plan on staying for at least a few years. This is a great time to invest. I got a good deal. No place is 100 % safe. When did Americans catch this fear bug????

[helenejen]

I bought in Patterson Park back in May. I plan on being here for the 4 or more years so I'm not worried about losing money, but I also don't have any expectation of the runaway increases in value of yore. I was sick of renting, am happy to have the additional tax breaks, and am happy not to have to deal with landlords anymore.

As to the fear bug, read Glassner's Culture of Fear and Furedi's Politics of Fear. Both very interesting, I thought.

[amelluz]

what i meant by investing was about people not planning on living in their house long term. the days of people buying houses in the hopes of flipping them for loads of cash have, for the most part, passed.

[bawlmer]

Another good read: Gavin DeBecker's The Gift of Fear.

Amazon.com: The Gift of Fear: Books: Gavin De Becker

[carolott]

Originally Posted by amelluz

the days of people buying houses in the hopes of flipping them for loads of cash have, for the most part, passed.

And thank God for that. Flipping doesn't create healthy communities.

[amelluz]

i totally agree.