Neighborhoods, neighborhoods, neighborhoods.... (Baltimore, Ellicott City, Catonsville: credit, real estate, property taxes)

[Scudder]

I strongly suggest looking into Bolton Hill or Mt. Vernon. I live in Mt. Vernon and drive to work at 95 at 175 - its about 25-35 minutes depending on traffic. It can be tedius, but traffic in the city to the freeway isn't all that bad - once on 95 its a breeze as you are against traffic (Although, admittedly, there is a certian thrill in watching the poor suburban folks bumper to bumper as I speed out to my office). Both neighborhoods have a feeling similar to Capital Hill, but of course much less expensive.

If you prefer walking for going out to resturants/bars/coffee, etc, I would lean towards Mt. Vernon. Prices range from low 200's for condos and top out at a million for the largest grand homes.

My suggestion if you are in Capital Hill now -- Take the train in after work on Friday to Penn, and visit a few places -- Brewers Art, Owl Bar, City Cafe . . . .

[LFF]

Originally Posted by mlmeloy

MLK is no picnic. My guess is 15-20 minutes to get from Eutaw Place to 395. (just a guess . . . I actually travel NORTH on MLK daily, not south).

If you lived in Ridgley's Delight, you could avoid MLK . . . though you still have 95 or 295 to contend with of course. Carol's right: it's a nice area. Also, there are areas just south of Federal Hill where you can get good deals if you're carefull.

Good luck.

This is very helpful; thanks so much for replying. I've seen MLK during evening rush hour and it looked pretty scary.

bawlmer, you've got a lot more discipline than I do to be up that early in the morning! I'm sure it really makes a difference for the commute though.

Just out of curiosity, is there some reason that the interstates were constructed in this area so that 83 and 95 don't connect?

[LFF]

Originally Posted by Scudder

I strongly suggest looking into Bolton Hill or Mt. Vernon. I live in Mt. Vernon and drive to work at 95 at 175 - its about 25-35 minutes depending on traffic. It can be tedius, but traffic in the city to the freeway isn't all that bad - once on 95 its a breeze as you are against traffic (Although, admittedly, there is a certian thrill in watching the poor suburban folks bumper to bumper as I speed out to my office). Both neighborhoods have a feeling similar to Capital Hill, but of course much less expensive.

If you prefer walking for going out to resturants/bars/coffee, etc, I would lean towards Mt. Vernon. Prices range from low 200's for condos and top out at a million for the largest grand homes.

My suggestion if you are in Capital Hill now -- Take the train in after work on Friday to Penn, and visit a few places -- Brewers Art, Owl Bar, City Cafe . . . .

Our commute would be very similar - thanks for the reply!

We've looked at Mt Vernon and were neither put off or sold on it. So far, we've been trying to stay away from MLK. Yes, we'll be in Baltimore this weekend with the realtor. I'm tired already just thinking about it!

[sobo16]

I'm quite thankful they don't connect. There were plans in the 1960s (?) to connect I-70, I-83, and I-95. Such a plan would have destroyed the Fells Point neighborhood and possibly others. There was a huge effort to save these communities, and the plans to bulldoze many houses to make room for the freeways were scrapped. Other posters would probably know more details about this history.

[jonjj]

Barbara Mikulski's rise to fame is because she led a group to stop that freeway construction.

[jonjj]

Oh, a bit of news for those of you consumed by crime: So far, Baltimore has racked up 5 homicides for the new year. But, DC with about 100,000 less people has racked up 9. Now, I am not sure on the zip 20003 because the DC info is down right now but I bring this up because I have a very good friend who lives in Capitol Hill. She loves it but refuses to take those bars off the windows due to her perception that crime is up in her neighborhood. It is probably just a fluke. It amazes me how some think the grass is always greener on the other side.

[barante]

I'm not trying to take anything away from Babs Mikulski. But as retired Judge Tom Ward, who recently jumped on a perp and disarmed him, will point out, the City Council had already killed an expressway route that would have destroyed Fells Point. When Babs Mikulski entered the scene, the project still qualified for fedeal funding. Mobilization and demonstrations led by her killed the whole thing dead.
Tom Ward was on the City Council is those days and is a bit sensitive about who gets credit for what. You don't want to cross him; he is a packing NRA member.

[Tallybalt]

There are ways to avoid Martin Luther if you need to get from Bolton Hill to I-95.

I have, in the past, cut through West Baltimore by taking Lafayette from Bolton Hill to Lafayette Square, and turning onto Carey Street, which will take you to Washington Boulevard and thence onto I-95. That will allow you to bypass the morning rush on MLK.

Another place you may want to check would be Locust Point? Very easy access to 695 and 95 from Key Highway.

[whitneyB]

Hi Here's my 2 cents on it...
I would look in Mt.Vernon- it's got everything you've described and is a very lovely area. Truthfully, there are very very few places in Baltimore that I feel truly safe...Patterson Park area after dark is NOT one of them. Mt.Vernon, Fells Point, and Federal Hill are IF you choose the right streets to walk on. We used to live in Fells Point before moving to the suburbs and liked it a lot...as long as you live below Eastern Avenue and in from Wolfe Street, you're fine. Nice area, lots to do...the only problem is it's a little more sandwiched in the city/less accessible than some other areas.

Mt. Vernon is very attractive, historic, relatively safe, accessible, and has a lot to offer- we had our wedding on the Monument Square and currently have some friends that live in wonderful places in that area. Being near the Peabody Library & Walters Art Gallery, there are quite a few parking lots, which is helpful for when you have guests. Very yuppie.

I wouldn't cross-out Ellicott City or Catonsville just yet...they're not "in" the city, but they have a lot to offer in the long-run. Especially Ellicott City, if you can find something in your price range...it's a whole little town of it's own that draws a nicer crown than most of Baltimore. It's an area that people GO to- also historic, quaint, lots of restaurants and pubs, known for it's shops, antiquing and culture. Great place to buy if you plan on staying there awhile. It's not a super-convenient location, though. Definitely yuppie.

Same with Catonsville...it has some very lovely, huge homes and some really really crappy areas...stay IN Catonsville, though. Not very yuppie at all.

Okay, so that's all I've got... sorry to be long-winded Hope it's helpful in some way- I know what it's like to do research to relocate- kind of a leap of faith. Best Wishes!

[myselfdotcom]

There are a couple places you can check it out

Federal Hill
Caton
Fell Points
Highland Town
near Pattersonpark
Mount Washington area