relocating from San Francisco! A few questions (Baltimore, Towson: budget, apartments)

[jay_cue]

Greetings!

I've had a good time reading everyones posts from the last few days, but I still have some questions.

My wife and I are coming from SF bay area in CA. I just accepted a job in Timonium, and we have to make some rather hurried decisions on where to live. The two main places on our list are Cockeysville and Towson. So here's a little about us, and then some questions for you Baltimore natives.

We're mid-to-late twenties, and like to be within walking distance of shops, restaurants, movies. She will most likely get a job at a university (currently works at Stanford). She loves Wegman's. She loves farmers markets. She loves using public transit. We have an indoor cat. Rent budget is around 1000-1500.

+ Knowing the above, are there any areas/streets in Towson that you would recommend?
+ Same question for Cockeysville.
+ Does the Wegman's in Cockeysville have any housing within walking distance?
+ Does Cockeysville have anything that resembles a downtown?
+ Is the light rail safe?

Thanks for your time!

[jonjj]

If she loves farmers markets:
32nd Street Farmers Market
Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts

The Cockeysville area is mostly strip malls and residential. As far as close housing to Wegmans, I am not sure. There is a light rail stop near Wegmans which yes, is "safe" to ride. Well, as "safe" as BART. There is also a metro line that runs somewhat close to Pikesville, Owings Mills.


If you want to be near shops, restaurants, movies, etc. you may want to consider the neighborhoods around the harbor in the city. They are just as safe as county areas with more conveniences to be had without driving. Timonium is near light rail although it may require a car too.

[sobo16]

I second what jonjj said. I'm not sure Towson or Cockeysville will meet your requirements. In addition to neighborhoods around the harbor, also check out Mount Washington and Hampden in Baltimore. Both are close to the light rail and other amenities, and are more interesting than suburbia.

Also, the neighborhoods I mentioned are in the northern part of the city, and are close to many colleges - Johns Hopkins, Loyola, Towson, Morgan State, to name a few. And the commute to Timonium would be a breeze.

[Streetchie]

I second the recommendation about Mt. Washington. Really nice houses and apartments as well as a cool little downtown area with Whole Foods and a great pub. I think the light rail has a stop there too.

[barante]

While I second other posters' views, don't overlook Hunt Valley housing. Who knows, maybe it appeals to you. Lots of new condos/rentals on hills overlooking Wegman's. Google Hunt Valley or Cockeysville, apartments, condos.
The light rail is perfectly safe. The line leading downtown leaves from the doorsteps of Wegman's, more or less.

[sobo16]

High View is the name of the development on the hill above the Hunt Valley Town Center. I just looked it up and it looks pretty nice.

[jay_cue]

Thanks everyone for the fast responses. It helps me narrow down my in-person search a bunch. Mt Washington sounds like a great place to start!

[rudy_d]

If you're looking to live in the suburbs, have a decent commute to work, and be within walking distance of shops and restaurants, I think Towson would be the best option. Towson U. is there, and it's relatively close to Loyola, Notre Dame, Morgan St., Goucher, Stevenson (I think that's Villa Julie's new name), and Hopkins. Not much public transport, though.

Cockeysille has no downtown. It's more of a vaguely defined area on the busy York Road corridor, with a bunch of sprawling apartment and housing developments off to the sides. Even Hunt Valley, with its "town center," Wegmans, and access to light rail, isn't really a walkable community. That is, unless you enjoy walking across large parking lots, crossing multi-lane roads with high-speed traffic, and walking on sidewalks that abruptly end for no apparent reason.

Based on what you're looking for, I'd also suggest looking at the city neighborhoods previously mentioned. The reverse commute up I-83 isn't bad. However, if you're in a hurry, maybe look for something close to your work while you get to know the area.

[Ann_Arbor]

I don't want this to be cheesy, and you may already know of these sites, but they both helped me get a good feel of an area before I moved, e.g. urban setting/ Downtown.


Look for your self, technology can really help understand a place. >

Live_Search_Maps_Bird's_eye
You can scroll over an area, zoom in and toggle to the Bird's eye function to see an overhead perspective.

Google_Maps_Street_View
You can scroll, zoom in and click on a blue street to get a street perspective.

[cmacf1]

WOW - that Live Search site is great! I hadn't used that one before but you can really see our house exceptionally well on it! Thanks for the link and good luck in your move from SF to Baltimore!