Penn Station area (Baltimore, Mount Vernon: apartments, renting, lofts)

[Paper Clipper]

I'm a 20s single male thinking of renting in B-more within walking distance of the train station and curious about the surrounding neighborhood (name of the area, safety, cost of living, walkability, food/grocery options, etc.). My housing budget is limited to $1000/month. Thanks.

[barante]

I would check out those unsold new townhouses at Calvert and Lanvale. I would think that the owners would want some warm bodies occupying them just for security reasons.
In another thread I identified this area as an up-and-comer. It isn't much these days -- unless you are into transvestites parading on the streets in the middle of the night -- but the location is unbeatable. It's two blocks from Penn Station, close to Mount Vernon and downtown. If you stroll around you see lots of improvements in the works. Future plans call for a 32-story (?) apartment building at the site of the old Chesapeake restaurant (next to Charles Theater) and a lot of other stuff.

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by barante

I would check out those unsold new townhouses at Calvert and Lanvale. I would think that the owners would want some warm bodies occupying them just for security reasons.
In another thread I identified this area as an up-and-comer. It isn't much these days -- unless you are into transvestites parading on the streets in the middle of the night -- but the location is unbeatable. It's two blocks from Penn Station, close to Mount Vernon and downtown. If you stroll around you see lots of improvements in the works. Future plans call for a 32-story (?) apartment building at the site of the old Chesapeake restaurant (next to Charles Theater) and a lot of other stuff.

I take it you are referring to Calvert Street for the trannies but I believe that is a bit down from there. Charles Street by Penn is perfectly fine along with St Paul. I am totally fascinated with that area and think it has a brilliant future. Also, not sure on the name of it, but that building right across from Penn was recently converted to lofts and appeared in an article in the latest Urbanite. I have a good friend who lives on St Paul about a block from Penn and he loves the home and neighborhood. Plus, you have UB practically right next to it and the Charles Theater nearby. Driving by the new condo developement on Calvert does show new occupants that have moved it although it is not 100 percent occupied.

[rudy_d]

Originally Posted by Paper Clipper

I'm a 20s single male thinking of renting in B-more within walking distance of the train station and curious about the surrounding neighborhood (name of the area, safety, cost of living, walkability, food/grocery options, etc.). My housing budget is limited to $1000/month. Thanks.

The area around Penn Station is now known as Station North. It was kind of a no-mans land between Charles Village (to the north) and Mt. Vernon (to the south), but there's been a lot of development in the area recently. The loft apartments and condos referred to in the other posts are probably above your price range, but I'm sure you could find something within walking distance of the station in Mount Vernon. I think the closest grocery store is the Safeway at Charles and 25th St in Charles Village--about 8 blocks away. There's also a new Superfresh on Charles Street in Mt. Vernon and a huge number of restaurants in the vicinity.

Station North Arts District - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[baltimore's best]

Originally Posted by jonjj

I take it you are referring to Calvert Street for the trannies but I believe that is a bit down from there. Charles Street by Penn is perfectly fine along with St Paul. I am totally fascinated with that area and think it has a brilliant future. Also, not sure on the name of it, but that building right across from Penn was recently converted to lofts and appeared in an article in the latest Urbanite. I have a good friend who lives on St Paul about a block from Penn and he loves the home and neighborhood. Plus, you have UB practically right next to it and the Charles Theater nearby. Driving by the new condo developement on Calvert does show new occupants that have moved it although it is not 100 percent occupied.

This is an amazing city. There's a transvestite community? I had no idea. What a diverse and interesting place to live. Is that area like the area around Paterson park you described with the prostitutes?

[barante]

Like any great metropolis, Baltimore is an all-service city. Wasn't it Woody Allen who famously remarked that by going both ways you double your chances for a date.

[medfieldbum]

And just think: another poster said Baltimore was going to be too boring for him!

[carolott]

Originally Posted by baltimore's best

This is an amazing city. There's a transvestite community? I had no idea. What a diverse and interesting place to live. Is that area like the area around Paterson park you described with the prostitutes?

You haven't been to Bingo Night at the Hippo????? It's a riot.

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by baltimore's best

This is an amazing city. There's a transvestite community? I had no idea. What a diverse and interesting place to live. Is that area like the area around Paterson park you described with the prostitutes?

I don't think Baltimore is unique in the fact that we have transvestites as part of our community. I think that is pretty standard for any city or small town for that matter. And no bawl..., oops, I mean baltimore's best, it is nothing like the gals who have been known to work East Baltimore Street. In fact, I am not even sure they work on Calvert anymore. Maybe someone could enlighten us on that????

[losingmylycosa]

Yeah, the Tranny's are great until they break into your car and steal your stereo. These are transvestite hookers, if you could imagine.

I guess some people think that's great because they haven't lived there, but having lived in the South Charles Village area I think it's a hell hole. Welcome to having to wake up at 6 am to move your car to either side of the street or risk getting towed...

There is a lot of redevelopment in Station North/South Charles Village area, but it's also a great place to have some homeless person take a crap on your porch - and yes, that's actually happened. Ewww...