Moving to Baltimore Coppin Heights Area...Scared as hell!! (Potomac: apartments, cheap house)

[wondernites]

Originally Posted by jonjj

Baltimore is not a war zone but parts of it may seem like that. The area you are looking into is definitely not one of the safer neighborhoods.

Thank you jonjj! I hear people say "that is an up-coming area" Are they saying to wait a few years? I am looking at the 1700 block of Ashburton st.
North & Ashburton real close to Coppin State Un.

[chippeebobippee]

No one can tell you that you will be okay and it be so. If your dream is to do a biz in Balto, then you come, do it, and live your life well, be it Coppin Heights, Fells Point, or some where else. I've been in this neck of the woods over 30 years and not all black folks are criminal, nor are all the people in Coppin Heights bad. If you carry yourself in such a way that your fear emanates from you, then you can likely expect someone to pick up on that and try something with you. Carry yourself with confidence, be smart, be aware of your surroundings. Teach your children the same skills. I don't think anyone on here is going to tell you that life will be perfectly wondeful if you come here but there are no guarantees of that anywhere. Even if we did tell you that oyu would be fine, though, since you don't know us why would our word matter? My suggestion to you is to get your children and come out to Baltimore. Visit many of the areas that are of interest to you at multiple times of the day and night to get a feel for the area. Make up your own mind. In one of your earlier posts you said that you had exposure to the Bloods and Crips but "knew most of them fools"...or something like that. Get to know people here too and you will likely not have many issues either. This is my quarter, for what it's worth in helping you make a decision about Baltimore.

[wondernites]

CHIPPEEBOBIPPEE........ You must be a professional! That is the best thing I have heard!!!!!!!! Thank you for your outlook. Plus you are a native of Baltimore. Thank you again for reading & bringing it to me real!

[chippeebobippee]

Originally Posted by wondernites

CHIPPEEBOBIPPEE........ You must be a professional! That is the best thing I have heard!!!!!!!! Thank you for your outlook. Plus you are a native of Baltimore. Thank you again for reading & bringing it to me real!

Hey. Just a quick note to say that I am glad that my little quarter's worth was helpful. BTW, I'm not a native either, so I was once in your shoes as a newcomer to this city. PM me and we can chat for real.

[Vaunderer]

Hi Wondernites,

I must say that you are in for a culture shock!! Despite the popular notion that all Black people are the same. This area virtually has no black middle-class.

Your safety concerns are very valid.

Depending on where the house is located will determine your level of immediate concern. If it is on or south of North Ave. (by Coppin College)- I would say do not move there!! That area is filled with abandoned housing and drug/gang activity.

However, if it is within the boundaries of North Ave (to the south) N. Warwick Ave. (to the west) Pulaski St. (to the east) Gwynns Falls Pky (to the north)- it may be tolerable until you get your bearings.
There is a nice family orientated -4 block radius- enclave within the boundaries I described.

Baltimore is funny like that, you go a few blocks in any direction and the neighborhood changes for better or worse.

The HUGE problem that has not been mentioned is the Baltimore City Public School System. This is something that you need to give priority during your research. Due to zoning regulations your children will have to go to nearby schools. I must say they are not known for their quality.

I do not have children, so I can't get too specific. But, it seems that schools like Polytechnic Institute and other non-zoned schools are possibly more civil. Someone else with better info. could speak to that though.

Honestly, if I had children your kid's ages I would not choose Baltimore to raise them. The culture is just too hostile and dangerous for young black men especially.

Good Luck in whatever you decide to choose
(you can PM if you need more info.)

[RaisedWell]

I agree with the above poster. I considered buying a house in Baltimore because of the prices. What prevented me from doing that is my children. My teen-aged boys are having a difficult time as it is living in Prince Georges County and just trying to do the right thing. I didn't want to move from one hostile environment to another. If you were single with no children, then I would say go for it. I know I would have moved to Baltimore and purchased a home by now but my children come first.

I also have to add that it is unfair to assume that all black people are familiar with urban areas and inner-city life. I know many black people (family, friends) who have never lived in large cities and would feel totally out of place in such areas. Blacks are as diverse as any other race. We live in rural areas and small towns too. Please don't be so narrow-minded.

[chesapeake83]

I am a Baltimore native. I am also a young black woman raised in a middle class family. The black middle class moves to the county as soon as they can afford to move out of the city. Crime aside, Baltimore Public City schools are horrible. I am sure that you want the best for your children, and you will not find it in Coppin Heights or most other neighborhoods in the city. If you really want to live there, do so at your own risk. That neighborhood is not safe, I do not care what some people say. If you are dead set on living there for free and convenience to your business, research city schools and make sure you get your kids into the few good schools or pay for private school. Poly, City, Western, and the School for the Arts are excellent high schools in the city, and are city-wide meaning that you do not have to live in the school-zone to go there.

[rudy_d]

Originally Posted by Vaunderer

Hi Wondernites,

I must say that you are in for a culture shock!! Despite the popular notion that all Black people are the same. This area virtually has no black middle-class.

Not exactly true. The Baltimore area has one of the largest black middle classes in the country. The city, however, has seen a huge decline as they have left for the suburbs and, outside of a few neighborhoods, those left behind are largely poor.

[nurider2002]

I find it shocking that anyone who is a native of Baltimore and is familiar with West North Avenue/Coppin Heights would in any way encourage a woman with children to consider this a viable option. This is a crime ridden area of the city with violent crime being the norm, not the exception. There are little resources or open spaces for kids, the schools are horrible. It's not worth the free rent to live there. There are decent areas of the city in which to raise kids if you want an urban experience but they are pricey. Baltimore is a far cry from Phoenix. Please do your homework before making a decision. Coppin Heights is not a safe place to raise kids.

[anchors]

coppin heights with young kids? DON'T.
the free rent wouldn't nearly be worth the stress and danger that area will likely bring.

i'm certianly not an expert on that area but the times i've been through there have been pretty uncomfortable, and i'm not usually one to be afraid of the city. i definitely think the best thing for you to do would be to visit the city and find a better neighborhood that you'll be comfortable and happy raising your children in.