From Midwest to Baltimore... advice... keep it real! :) (Columbia, Ferndale: relocation, real estate)

[stoofy_t]

I posted in the MD forum about a possible relocation to the Baltimore area. If I do relocate, it will be for a job in Columbia. I've been researching the area for a while, and after a little tour yesterday, I think I have it narrowed down to Canton, Fell's Point, Federal Hill, or maybe a suburb closer to Columbia, but the idea of living in the city appeals to me (and I'm from Detroit, so no big scary adjustment to big scary living) ... any thoughts? I want to try to find a 2br under $1000/month, but that seems near impossible, so I can probably budget for up to $1200.

Also, as far as crime rates and all... it seems like there is a lot of petty crime all over the city, which is no big deal to me. Of course, I'd want to be somewhere where I can walk down to the store or bar or wherever and feel okay walking home - for reference, I'm a 26-y/o single girl.

Any information at all would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[bawlmer]

You're from Detroit? You'll feel right at home. You may feel as though you never left, except that you'll need twice the money to live here. You need to think of closer to $2000. for a nice place. If you'll live "anywhere" you may find something for $1200. Sounds like you're the type of new resident Baltimore needs if crime doesn't bother you. Welcome to paradise.

[sobo16]

Welcome to Baltimore. You will probably enjoy the neighborhoods that you mentioned you're thinking about. Of the 3, Federal Hill would be the easiest commute to Columbia. Locust Point is another option, and it's close to Federal Hill. You can also search other posts in the Baltimore forum, as there are many suggestions for other nice neighborhoods in the city. Also, would you consider living with roommates? If so, you could easily find a nice house in your price range on craigslist or citypaper.

[jonjj]

stoofy,
If you are from Detroit, Baltimore will be a piece of cake. I was from Detroit also but I have been here awhile. The neighborhoods you mentioned are fine but being from Detroit, you may want to think of a bigger place in a more trasitional neighborhood which you would probably like very much. By transitional, nothing in Detroit comes close. Anyway, good luck in your search.

[barante]

stoofy. With a relatively limited budget why are you only considering the msot expensive waterfront neighborhoods where you may not be able to afford anything nice? There is more to Baltimore. Read past posts and you will see all the options.
Also, I see no sense of you working in Columbia and subjecting yourself to trying to get out of the congested East Baltimore waterfront every morning. I am a great Baltimore booster but I personally wouldn't give the neighborhoods that seem to be your first choices a second look. They are expensive and have no parking. They are great to visit but I wouldn't want to live there.

[helenejen]

When I moved to Baltimore the summer before last, I lived in a 2 bedroom/1 bath in Butchers Hill for $1200/month. It wasn't fully renovated, but it was nice and had air conditioning, along with the regular amenities (diswasher, washer/dryer). So you can find something in that range, but it took me a while to find it.

Oh, and a colleague found a 2 bedroom/1 bath place back in August in Fells Point, right on Thames and across from Su Casa for $1300, so it can be done. (Of course, I couldn't put up with the noise in that location, but each to their own.)

[carolott]

I agree with Barante. Your budget doesn't seem to match the neighborhoods you're considering -- unless you want to have a roommate or two. If you could up it to 1500, you'd do better. But there's still the issues of traffic and parking -- Fells Point is great until you have to drive in or out during rush hour.

[Scudder]

You're going to love Baltimore. I lived in Detroit years ago and I think you'll love it here. The areas you are looking at are a lot more like living in the Ferndale/Royal Oak area, just a lot more compact and walkable. The minor hassles are well worth the convenience of being able to go out and the commute to Columbia in the morning isn't too bad 25 - 40 minutes tops).

Of the areas you're looking at, I'd reccomend Federal Hill for the convenience of getting to Columbia (of course in Canton you can always take the tunnel from east canton). You might also want to check out my neighborhood, Mt. Vernon which would also fit your needs & wants.

I'll tell ya, if it weren't for all the driving, the economy and the cold weather, I'd be back in the big D in a second, people don't know how great it can be

Best of luck - let us know where/how you end up

[barante]

Random notes:
helenejen -- I'm not going to argue about Fells Point. But our friend from Motown should be aware of everything that goes into the equasion. We haven't even talked about noise in Fells Point yet. I bet your friend across from Su Casa can share some fond memories.
I know a guy who bought a rowhouse on Thames Street in the early 1970s for a grand total of $2,500. His tenant was the Horse You Came In On, so he had a steady income flow. But after living above the bar for several years he got so disgusted he sold the place. Married well and moved to Roland Park!
Incidentally, the small and dingy storefront real estate office he used, Klein Brothers, is still on Eastern Avenue. When I met there with Sol Klein, of blessed memory, I wanted to know what a big portrait of the pope was doing on the wall, he educated me: "If everyone is happy and I make money, what's wrong with that?"

Originally Posted by Scudder

I'll tell ya, if it weren't for all the driving, the economy and the cold weather, I'd be back in the big D in a second, people don't know how great it can be )

Yeah, such minor matters make one think.

[helenejen]

Barante,

Yes, I agree. As I mentioned in my previous post, I couldn't put up with the noise on Thames St. But it doesn't bother my colleague in the least for some reason. Nor could I put up with the parking situation. But some don't seem to mind those kind of thing so...