Immigrant doctor assessing baltimore on crime (Bethesda, Rockville: apartment, low crime, safe area)

[krishna1]

I am an academically ambitious Indian immigrant doctor , relatively new in US, considering applying for training positions at very good hospitals in the DC-baltimore area. Johns Hopkins at baltimore is top on my list and I have ambitions to continue with the university very long term.

But reading so much about crime in this city on this forum is making me think again. I am not familiar with baltimore at all and I currently live in suburban DC ( bethesda) , the place I really like.

Safety is my biggest concern and I need to decide if I should consider baltimore at all for my future career. Other options for me are DC area hospitals like Georgetown or GWU. They are not as great as Johns Hopkins but working in DC I can live in safe areas of suburban DC.

Please tell me if there really are any really safe neighbourhoods in baltimore where all the doctors live or do they all live in fear? I have read comments here like " stay away from baltimore" and " no place in baltimore is safe" .
Thanks.

[ltong1009]

As a Doctor, you'll have no problem affording a place in a nice, low crime area. There are plenty of places in DC that have the same crime issues as Baltimore. Take the opinions of those paint Baltimore in overly broad strokes with a grain of salt.

[oneworld25]

As Itong said, there are plenty of nice places to live in Baltimore both inside and outside the city.

[jonjj]

I agree with the above statements. As a doctor, I know you would thoroughly examine before jumping to any sort of conclusion. My suggestion is to visit Baltimore and see for yourself.

[krishna1]

Thanks everyone. One of these days , I will drive down and look around. Could anyone please name some of the very good and safe residential neighbourhoods? thanks again.

[kinkytoes]

If you're so worried, pls stay out of Baltimore. You can ask your advisor at Hopkins or some other students where they live, okay.
JHU also has an off-campus housing website.
Perhaps a suburban area like Howard County would be better for you.

[mrboltonman]

Howard County is a really nice area especially out in the sticks (well not really anymore but that's where I grew up). I live in Bolton Hill now and like it. You definitely have to watch where you go but I also lived in Philly and it was the same way. Baltimore is a little rougher but getting better.

There are a lot of nice pockets here (Federal Hill, Otterbein, Downtown, Mount Vernon, Canton, Fells Point, Patterson Park, Charles Village, Roland Park, Hampden, Bolton Hill, and more) so you really need to drive around a bit. Make sure it's during early hours just in case you end up in a bad area.

I agree that an advisor at Hopkins could help you find a spot to live.

[Hey_Hey]

He isn't going to be making those stereotypical physician's salaries that people have alluded to. It sounds as if he'll be an intern/resident/fellow making in the mid- to upper-40s. Physicians don't start commanding a six digit salary until they've completed somewhere between 8 and 12 years of post-college training.

[kinkytoes]

On that salary, I'm sure if he's worried about his safety, he can find an apartment in any suburban area. Apts are available from 900-2K. I think if he's worrying so much already and he likes Rockville/Bethesda, he should skip Baltimore. He doesn't seem to have the adventurous spirit needed to live in our fair city. Seriously, try a suburb. You can drive to Hopkins and if you get a roommate or two you can afford to live anywhere. The nicer areas in Baltimore are equally or even more expensive.

[nightman]

If you live in the Baltimore suburbs and commute to Hopkins you will have no more problems than any other city in the US.