Reasonably Priced, Safe Areas Near Subway (Baltimore, Owings Mills: apartments, rental, condo)

[Hey_Hey]

My wife and I are considering a move to Baltimore. I will be a resident after graduating from medical school and am seriously considering Johns Hopkins. I have never been to Baltimore, but I will be visiting in a couple months to interview so I'll see the city when I'm there (although I doubt I'll have all that much time to look around). I saw that JHU Hospital is on the subway line, and I would be interested in taking that into work. My question is regarding affordable, safe neighborhoods in which to live that are within a short drive or walk to a subway station so that I could take the subway into work. I've heard that Baltimore is expensive as far as purchasing a home or condo. My price range is probably in the $120,000-150,000 area.

Thanks!

[jonjj]

You may want to consider the neighborhoods to the south of Hopkins. They include Butchers Hill, Patterson Park, Fells Point, Washington Hill, Canton. There are others. I have to tell ya though that you may not have much luck finding something you like in that price range. The subway runs through downtown and out to Owings Mills in the northwest suburbs. There may be something you like along that route but again, that price range may be difficult. You may want to rent until you get a feel for the city a bit.

[Streetchie]

Look near Hopkins, as Jonjj mentioned, but that price range will be almost impossible. Another option would be Charles Village, a decent neighborhood near Johns Hopkins Homewood campus. CV isn't on the subway line, but there is a free shuttle every 15 minutes for Hopkins students and employees.

[Hey_Hey]

Thank you for your replies!

Charles Village looked like an interesting neighborhood. I liked the row houses! It seems to generally be in our price range as well. I guess my only concern is safety. I've never been to Baltimore, but I've heard repeatedly that it is a pretty rough city on the whole. Would you consider Charles Village to be a safe neighborhood? One where you will feel safe walking around and while in your home?

[medfieldbum]

Your price range is on the low side for buying a home in a decent neighborhood in the Baltimore area. Further, I always recommend newcomers rent for a while before looking to buy, so that they know what they're getting into. The neighborhoods that Mr/Ms jonjj suggest are good for a Hopkins employee--but only if you're renting, which many do in that area.

Charles Village is good on one hand because it is on the shuttle route to Hopkins Medicine, but as a resident, you hours will probably be long, and not congruent with the shuttle. The subway ends service at midnight, and might not work for you. Charles Village can be a wonderful place with great neighbors, but has a very persistent and serious crime problem--particularly after dark.
You need to spend a few days here to get your bearings, and find a good rental for the first 6-months to a year. Many residents find the apartment buildings on the north side of Hopkins campus attractive, as well as Thames Point apartments in Fells Point, basically a straight shot up/down Wolfe Street to the hospital. Please also consider Hampden or Medfield; you can send me a direct messaage if you like.