Thoughts on the Hamilton/ Lauraville areas (Baltimore: renters, crime, houses)

[dkhriz77]

Any thoughts on these areas. I was thinking of relocating and noticed some nice larger homes that were very reasonably prices. Is that area safe? are the majority of these larger homes owner occupied, or are they multi unit properties, with tenants

thanks

[carey24]

If you're looking at it from a county aspect, it's a bad area. From a city aspect, a good area.

My dad grew up in that area and that's where my grandmother lived when I was younger. Back then it was very nice, then it got real bad. I believe it is now one of the more up and coming areas in the city. So if you are looking at it that way it's good. From what I know it is mostly single family owned homes.

I grew up in a nice county neighborhood about 20 min from there with basically no crime. I saw my childhood neighborhood get taken over by crime moving north from the city. Hamilton/Lauraville area to me, still represents a "bad" area. I personally would not buy there, but I also wouldn't buy anywhere in the city. (My ideal house would be farmland either in Harford County or SC)

[Miss Crabcakes]

I've actually heard good things about that area and I've been keeping me eye out for homes there. I've known of a few people who grew up there and a friend who owns there and they said it was a nice, quiet, family community. So I guess it depends on your perspective.

But its on my list of potential neighborhoods to move to and I am looking to start a family in the next few years.

[Local Expert]

Homes are large and old in these neighborhoods. I definitely recommend driving around because you are going to be the one living there and you want to like these neighborhoods as well as the surrounding areas.

[cmacf1]

WHen I divorced 10 years ago and didn't think I could afford to buy a house on my private school teacher's salary, I discovered I could afford a home in Hamilton. I bought the only house on my block zoned for 2 units and rented out the smaller unit. At the going rental rates in the area, their rent paid my entire mortgage. When I got remarried (which I didn't expect ever to do,) we kept the house and my mom moved into my part of the house, so though I no longer live there, we still own it.

I did not consider that area of the city to be a 'bad' area and I had only lived in the county. You have to be careful as to where you're looking. The neighborhoods can go from ok to bad pretty quickly, but my area and the 10-12 blocks around it were fine. There's always some crime and living in the city, you don't take risks, but I felt pretty safe and I feel safe with my mom living there.

My house was built in 1924 and is a bungalow style home with 3 bedrooms (though rooms are being used for different purposes since I rent out the upstairs.) When I bought it, it needed some updating (it had only been owned by one family that entire time and they had NEVER updated the electricity in the house - there were literally TWO plug outlets in the ENTIRE house.) I paid $75K in 1999. Today, it's appraised at over $200K. I don't think I could get that in this market, but that's really good appreciation. Where our house in Baltimore County has dropped considerably in value, that house has not. Buying that house was one of my savviest financial moves (and financial savvy is NOT my forte at all!)

[GirlNextDoor]

Hi -- My husband and i have lived in Lauraville for just over a year and we are very happy here. Almost everyone on our street owns their home but there are definitely renters within the neighborhood too. When we moved we were very attracted to the low prices for large houses. We feel quite safe in the neighborhood although it is up and coming. There are lots of new restaurants and shops popping up along Harford Rd and most are owned by people from the neighborhood. If you have any other questions feel free to private message me. Hope this helps!

[jonjj]

Up in that area, don't forget Arcadia, Beverly Hills, and Mayfield. Those three neighborhoods are really nice.

[ginbelt]

I've got friends who lived in Hampden, and other "hip" parts of the city for many years, and bought a home in Hamilton just 2-3 years ago, and love it. That's saying something, because you always hear on here about how great and safe Hampden is. They live like one block south of Northern Parkway and 2 or 3 blocks east of Harford Road. Just within the past one year, several restaurants (nice ones, like would pop up in gentrified areas) have opened near there. If I was looking for a more less "urban" area of the city to live than where I do now -- one with a nice big yard, a front porch, etc -- I would strongly consider Hamilton. Lauraville is much the same, from what I've heard. Arcadia is too.