Moving to Baltimore from Connecticut (Towson, Catonsville: to rent, crime, safest area) - City-Data Forum

CTgirl24 · 10-04-2008, 09:33 AM

Hello, all!

I was just recently offered a job in Baltimore, near Johns Hopkins Hospital, and I am having the hardest time deciding on where to rent. If someone could point me in the direction of a decent neighborhood it would be greatly appreciated. I have two school-age children, and my neighborhood knowledge is limited to what I've found on the internet. I don't mind a commute, so any out-skirts suggestions would be fine too. Thanks

jonjj · 10-04-2008, 02:38 PM

Well, there are some good public schools in the city. I can recommend Patterson Park Community Charter School on Baltimore Street in the Patterson Park neighborhood. It is a pretty good neighborhood. If you are not used to city-living then I would suggest a county site. I am sure there are other recommendations and will leave that to the folks in those neighborhoods. You may want to try the "sticky" at the top of the Baltimore forum for an idea of areas. The reason why I suggested Patterson Park is because the neighborhood is somewhat near the hospital so you would have a very easy commute.

mrboltonman · 10-04-2008, 04:40 PM

If you don't know B'more then I would suggest living in the county at first till you have time to venture around the city.

Catonsville is nice area in the county.

baltimore's best · 10-06-2008, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrboltonman

If you don't know B'more then I would suggest living in the county at first till you have time to venture around the city.

Catonsville is nice area in the county.

Agreed. Try Severna Park: Great schools public and private, terrific community sports organizations for kids, very active community, B&A trail, close to Annapolis.

CTgirl24 · 10-08-2008, 08:09 PM

Thank you for your input. I am having the hardest time picking out a place. The baltimore crime map is very intimidating. I will take a look at your suggestions.

LogSS · 10-09-2008, 12:36 PM

Look into Locust Point. It's one of the safest area in the city and has one of the best views of downtown. Also, because it is on the water, you can take water taxies to most parts of the inner harbor. Being on a penisula, it is also traffic congestion free.

medfieldbum · 10-10-2008, 07:59 PM

CTgirl---While you didn't say what your price range is or the ages of your kids, I highly recommend the Tuxedo Park, Roland Park, or Evergreen neighborhoods in North Baltimore (though you also didn't say your price range). Don't necessarily be intimidated by the crime mapping software. Most cities don't provide that info; many cities in Connecticut (New Haven, Hartford, e.g. are probably worse, but don't give you the info). Also, you said you were offered a job "near" Hopkins Hospital, but didn't see exactly where.

CTgirl24 · 10-14-2008, 11:11 PM

My kids are 11y, and 1y old. I really didn't want to pay more than 1500 a month. You are right about New Haven and Hartford. I actually work in New Haven now, and I see the average inner city crimes. I was in Baltimore today. I just took the light rail, and the bus around town just to get the feel of things. Thank you all for your continued input.

DavidSKi · 10-20-2008, 02:57 PM

Check out the Gallery Towers. Best bang & safety for the buck

Southern Management Corporation

oneworld25 · 10-21-2008, 10:11 AM

Since you have kids you should note that Baltimore City does not have a very good school system. This is not to say that Baltimore City does not have any good schools, but there unfortunately aren't that many of them. One elementary school with a good reputation is Mt. Washington Elementary. You may also want to consider sending your kids to private school or looking at some areas in the county. In particular, Pikesville, Catonsville, Timonium, and Towson may be work a look.