Safety of Metro Train from Owings Mills to Johns Hopkins (Baltimore: apartment, crimes)

[oldhousegirl]

Hey everyone! How is this route during standard commute times safety wise? Guessing it's heavily traveled. The Owings Mills area looks to be up and coming with new developments alongside the Metro Rail line. How is that area in general regarding safety? Noticed there is a library and lots of other shopping amenities. Is it considered a bar type party area like Fells Point?

Looking for a laid back area with family friendly vibes, easy access to BWI and Hopkins. In Baltimore, the various harbor areas look nice but almost every apartment review mentions car break ins, and some form of pest problem including the unnamed that is furry and the first letter is "m" lol. Can't have that!!!!!! At this point it would likely be for one year's length of time in the area.

Thanks

[oldhousegirl]

Lol. Anybody??

[ion475]

Owings Mills is "up and coming"? The area around the metro station was a mall that was redeveloped but is otherwise meh.

The "hip" area around the harbor (so Lower Fells or Federal Hill etc) are fine, but yes property crimes does exist. Cars also get break into in places like Columbia or even Ellicott City...

No comment on the Metro Subway. Never rode it myself.

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by oldhousegirl

Lol. Anybody??

I havent taken the Metro Subway since the beginning of the pandemic. When I did take it.. it was to go downtown for festivals like Artscape, Jury Duty at the Courthouse, or to Sports Games. That said, I have never had any trouble. A subway is a subway, so you will get homeless or other "characters" on it but not to the level of say a NYC and some of the stories posted there. I think the biggest issue is what station you get on as most of the drama, from my experience has been in and or around certain stations. Owings Mills to Hopkins Stations are fine.

Access to BWI.. you can take the light rail to the Airport. My recommendation would be to take the MARC commuter train to BWI as it seems a little quicker, say from Baltimore Penn and you can take your luggage and a short bus ride from the actual train station to the terminal which is free. Consider living in Hampden, Mt. Washington, or even Woodberry for more family friendly areas that will still have access to all the amenities of the Inner Harbor/Downtown. All have access to the light rail, which you can take to BWI as I mentioned...

Good Luck

[oldhousegirl]

Thanks guys! Helpful info. I appreciate it

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by oldhousegirl

Thanks guys! Helpful info. I appreciate it

As an aside.. You will notice or will find out that Baltimore has a rather disjointed transit system for a "major city". The best way to utilize it is the way you seem to be approaching it. Living "on top of" transit.. Owings Mills as you indicated or places that are within a quick walk of a station. A one seat ride is the best approach. If you have to transfer. from a train to a bus.... God help you as buses are the least reliable.. Even the light rail has been ramping back up Post Covid to a functional level if you can get past the occasional bus bridges. So a combination of MARC if you are going out of town to DC, Metro Subway from Owings Mills, or Light Rail if you are along the 83 corridor or occasionally to BWI (if you dont use the MARC). Then layer in UBER, LYFT, Scooter or your own personal bike all as needed you should have all your bases covered

[oldhousegirl]

Originally Posted by Woodlands

As an aside.. You will notice or will find out that Baltimore has a rather disjointed transit system for a "major city". The best way to utilize it is the way you seem to be approaching it. Living "on top of" transit.. Owings Mills as you indicated or places that are within a quick walk of a station. A one seat ride is the best approach. If you have to transfer. from a train to a bus.... God help you as buses are the least reliable.. Even the light rail has been ramping back up Post Covid to a functional level if you can get past the occasional bus bridges. So a combination of MARC if you are going out of town to DC, Metro Subway from Owings Mills, or Light Rail if you are along the 83 corridor or occasionally to BWI (if you dont use the MARC). Then layer in UBER, LYFT, Scooter or your own personal bike all as needed you should have all your bases covered

All very helpful info. Thank you!

[oldhousegirl]

Originally Posted by ion475

Owings Mills is "up and coming"? The area around the metro station was a mall that was redeveloped but is otherwise meh.

The "hip" area around the harbor (so Lower Fells or Federal Hill etc) are fine, but yes property crimes does exist. Cars also get break into in places like Columbia or even Ellicott City...

No comment on the Metro Subway. Never rode it myself.

Lol is it all propaganda? Owings Mills is NOT up and coming? Seems like the developers of the Metro Centre area are really pushing hard, especially with the new Marriott and several other new commercial builds - including a hotel ramping up.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by oldhousegirl

Owings Mills is NOT up and coming?

That was 50 years ago.
The mall, the metro, I-795 are all 1980's era projects.

[ion475]

Originally Posted by oldhousegirl

Lol is it all propaganda? Owings Mills is NOT up and coming? Seems like the developers of the Metro Centre area are really pushing hard, especially with the new Marriott and several other new commercial builds - including a hotel ramping up.

The immediate area around the station was redeveloped, yes (It was Owings Mill Mall which went dead and was demolished). The surrounding neighborhoods? It has already been built out with zero development. It's older suburbia that, if anything, is not even as great as it were.

And no, it's definitely not "bar type young people hangout" like Lower Fells or Fed Hill. Most young people who is looking for walkable areas will just find a place in those areas, especially if you're heading to Hopkins.