Downtown vs. Homewood campus area (Baltimore: apartment, to rent, houses)

[Sta]

I'm moving to Baltimore (got a postdoc position at Johns Hopkins Med school) and I am looking for a place to rent. I won't have a car, unless there is no other choice. The point is my budget allows either a more upscale apartment or a car, both won't fit... I figured that area around Homewood campus and downtown area are connected to the hospital via Hopkins shuttle (both) and metro (latter) plus as far as I understood groceries are within a walking distance.
I already viewed several highrises in downtown area (all managed by Southern Management). Downtown looked fine to me, except for the area around The Atrium at N Howard street. I felt pretty uncomfortable there even at 10am.
I'm curious how downtown looks in the evening. My concern that it gets deserted after all folks working in nearby offices go back home. Is it true?
How safe and comfortable is the metro? There is a metro station near Charles center and it seems to be a nice way to commute to Johns Hopkins Hospital.
I loved The Standard building, but to get there walking up St. Paul str. left me with some mixed feelings, in broad daylight it was fine, but how does it looks afterhours? Had to pass some deserted blocks, that might be scary in the evening.

Is it safer to live around Homewood campus and just take a shuttle to the hospital? What are the renting options in a high-rise apartment building over there? Are tehre grocery stores around? I've never been in that area, so all feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thank you, guys, in advance, this forum is such a helpful place!

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by Sta

I'm moving to Baltimore (got a postdoc position at Johns Hopkins Med school) and I am looking for a place to rent. I won't have a car, unless there is no other choice. The point is my budget allows either a more upscale apartment or a car, both won't fit... I figured that area around Homewood campus and downtown area are connected to the hospital via Hopkins shuttle (both) and metro (latter) plus as far as I understood groceries are within a walking distance.
I already viewed several highrises in downtown area (all managed by Southern Management). Downtown looked fine to me, except for the area around The Atrium at N Howard street. I felt pretty uncomfortable there even at 10am.
I'm curious how downtown looks in the evening. My concern that it gets deserted after all folks working in nearby offices go back home. Is it true?
How safe and comfortable is the metro? There is a metro station near Charles center and it seems to be a nice way to commute to Johns Hopkins Hospital.
I loved The Standard building, but to get there walking up St. Paul str. left me with some mixed feelings, in broad daylight it was fine, but how does it looks afterhours? Had to pass some deserted blocks, that might be scary in the evening.

Is it safer to live around Homewood campus and just take a shuttle to the hospital? What are the renting options in a high-rise apartment building over there? Are tehre grocery stores around? I've never been in that area, so all feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thank you, guys, in advance, this forum is such a helpful place!

That shuttle is a great option. I realized that my niece used it all the time and I completely forgot about that until yesterday. Are you asking about the Homewood area (Charles Village) or downtown?
Downtown: There are more and more people living downtown and I have noticed that it is usually pretty busy. If you are with other people, no problem. When it gets late, I would cab it if I was by myself if you are traveling a distance. The Standard Bldg. is a great place. I love those high ceilings in it. One of the empty blocks you may have passed along the way is now a big pit for the new Mercy extension.
I use both the Charles Center stop and the Hopkins stop on my commutes. Both are fine and the metro is the safest form of mass transit in the city. There is lots of security at both stops. If you are walking at night, Charles Street is the best option. You will see lots of walkers and traffic along it.
In terms of groceries, see the thread called "not another relocation thread".

[Sta]

thanks a lot jonjj,
what I meant by an empty block, was a funny looking place right before the "bridge" you cross to get to the standard, it did not look as a construction spot as of Monday, more like an abandoned parking lot with some small houses deeper in. It well may be, that I was just overwhelmed in general.. I find relocation to be a stressful business.

good to hear that metro is safe.

as to what I'm asking about - I am researching the options, so far I considered just the Downtown and I'm thinking whether to extend my search to charles village as well. I think it won't hurt to visit charles village as well.

[jonjj]

Well, Charles Village is a nice neighborhood; more residential than downtown. There are places to eat, etc. along St Paul between 31st and 33rd. A grocery store (Giants) is at 33rd and Greenmount. There are also places along Charles. They have a great farmer's market there every Saturday morning. It is fairly busy at night, especially when the students get back for the fall semester. Barnes and Nobel Books at St Paul and 33rd.

[barante]

Both of your alternatives are good and getting better. If you think downtown is deserted now at night, you should have seen it five years ago.
As to the JHU area, Baltimore never had a place that had a college town feeling. With all the new construction there, we finally have.

[rudy_d]

You might also want to look at the Mt. Vernon area. It's close to downtown, but there would be more activity at night due to the many restaurants and bars in the area, since that seems to be a concern. You could take the Hopkins shuttle to the hospital from the stop next to the Washington Monument, or you could walk to the Metro at State Center if you were on the west side of the neighborhood.