Southern AA girl relocating to Baltimore (Columbia, Towson: violent crime, employment, contractor)

[Infinite_heights77]

Columbia is a soulless and stale community of spoiled, crazy, mixed race children!

Originally Posted by chariega

Don't do it, girl! Don't do it! LOL Just kidding (sorta). I'm from the south, (actually the *country* in southern VA), so these are just MY thoughts

Baltimore is...special. It's a different mentality. It's not as clean, it's not as friendly, and the attitude here is so different than what you may be used to.

You might like living in Columbia or Ellicott City--I know a lot of people from down south who've moved there and liked it. It's not a bad drive from either Woodlawn, Baltimore or DC. Columbia/Ellicott City are cleaner, safer, etc. though more expensive.

If you drive, you'll find a lot of activities in either Baltimore or DC--especially in DC. There are a ton of clubs/lounges, restaurants filled with people in their 20s-30s. Another great thing, is the DC/MD area has plenty of outdoor activities, festivals/concerts, etc. in the spring/summer. The DC crowd is a lot more active for young professionals--can be a little snobby though. Baltimore has a scene, it's not as phony lol, but it's also less active, and doesn't have the brunch, day party, nightclub/lounge scene, so to me, it's a little boring for what I'd consider city life. However, living in Columbia would make it easy to access to either scene.

[Infinite_heights77]

".. The DC crowd is a lot more active for young professionals--can be a little snobby though. Baltimore has a scene, it's not as phony lol, but it's also less active, and doesn't have the brunch, day party, nightclub/lounge scene, so to me, it's a little boring for what I'd consider city life..."

*City life for Black professionals is extremely lacking and insufficient of excitement. The irony of this is, that Baltimore is over 50% African American, but lacks these very basics and good spaces for the things you've mention above (brunch, day party, nightclub/lounge scene, etc..). It's a crying shame and almost an insult to be Black in Baltimore! And Blacks folks in Baltimore seem not to care too much.

Originally Posted by chariega

Don't do it, girl! Don't do it! LOL Just kidding (sorta). I'm from the south, (actually the *country* in southern VA), so these are just MY thoughts

Baltimore is...special. It's a different mentality. It's not as clean, it's not as friendly, and the attitude here is so different than what you may be used to.

You might like living in Columbia or Ellicott City--I know a lot of people from down south who've moved there and liked it. It's not a bad drive from either Woodlawn, Baltimore or DC. Columbia/Ellicott City are cleaner, safer, etc. though more expensive.

If you drive, you'll find a lot of activities in either Baltimore or DC--especially in DC. There are a ton of clubs/lounges, restaurants filled with people in their 20s-30s. Another great thing, is the DC/MD area has plenty of outdoor activities, festivals/concerts, etc. in the spring/summer. The DC crowd is a lot more active for young professionals--can be a little snobby though. Baltimore has a scene, it's not as phony lol, but it's also less active, and doesn't have the brunch, day party, nightclub/lounge scene, so to me, it's a little boring for what I'd consider city life. However, living in Columbia would make it easy to access to either scene.

[afdinatl]

Where are you moving from?

[karolinagrl]

South Carolina

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by karolinagrl

South Carolina

If the choice is taking the job at Woodlawn or staying put...
then I'd suggest that you take it and experience what is new/different.
Make some friends, see and do some new things and gain the work experience.

If the choice is Woodlawn vs OTHER locations... definitely explore them too.
Wherever you might go it doesn't need be for more than a couple of years.

But also wherever you go... the first while should probably be a share situation.
Use that time to get acclimated, make those friends and then choose what you want.

hth

[Infinite_heights77]

South Carolina is nice!

Originally Posted by karolinagrl

South Carolina

[Sunflowery]

Originally Posted by Infinite_heights77

Columbia is a soulless and stale community of spoiled, crazy, mixed race children!

What do you have against mixed race children? I'm not trying to offend you but you sound no better than some of these white supremacists. Yes, I'm a conscious sista but I do realize that not all white folks are out to get us.

[Yeadon718]

Originally Posted by Infinite_heights77

South Carolina is nice!

Meh..... I won't even touch that one.

[B.K.]

Hey IH, the young lady is asking questions, don't try to scare her off-this town needs new blood. I seem to remember you raising that point several times in the past, and specifically saying that the town needs a new and different "type" of "black" blood!
Karolinagirl, I too am from the sunny Southland, Georgia in fact, and damn proud of it. I moved here nearly twenty-five years ago, and found Baltimore a real eye-opener. This place will not be what you are used to. People here are much more forward and "in-your-face", than they are down home. Their idea of manners will probably seem much different from what you're accustomed to, as well. Not to say that they are bad people, quite the contrary, just different.
The Woodlawn area is a western suburb, and safe, albeit boring-nothing really happening there for a twenty-something in search of nightlife. The same could be said for most of suburban Baltimore, except possibly the area around Towson U. For the most part, suburbs here are just like suburbs anywhere else in the country-strip shopping centers, malls, chain bars and restaurants, car dealerships, etc. Most of the nightlife, live music, clubs, interesting restaurants, trendy shopping, etc., etc., exists wholly within the City.
There are some dicey areas in the suburban areas immediately East, West and South of the City, so suburbs do not necessarily equal safety.
The other suburbs mentioned, Columbia and areas closer to D.C., e.g., are certainly safer, but much, much more expensive. As someone your age, I'd try to find a roommate, maybe another girl close to your age familiar with the City. I definitely recommend urban living if you are a fairly adventurous young person. There are still parts of the City that are reasonably safe, reasonably priced, have a younger demographic, and are easily accessible to what's happening in town.

[lanhvtnymd]

Originally Posted by karolinagrl

lanhvtnymd - so, I take it you don't like it? I've heard a lot of that from Southern transplants unfortunately.

My initial thought about relocating there was a flat out NO. But after some more thought, I decided to reach out to try to find people who know the area so I could gain some more insight and make an informed decision.

I'm not loving nor liking everything I've found so far lol.

I like it fine. I mean, on paper, I have very little to complain about. Is it the best place I've ever lived? No. The best place I've ever lived was basically every place I've ever lived....except where I'm living right now LOL. Only because work and my apartment situation are killing my soul right now.

I say give it a try. If you don't like it, on to the next adventure. "Charm City" is true. Just like some people, at first you're like "wtf, this guy...." Then slowly, slowly they start to reel you in. Then one day you wake up, are on your routine, and it's like you're really liking this guy now. That's Baltimore....City anyway.

I wrote this really, long personal response. I'll just send you a message. I don't need all of my business out in these streets. LOL