Walking at night Penn Station to Mt Vernon/Bolton Hill; why does safety vary block to block? (Baltimore: rental, houses)

[Orange11]

Thanks for the further information and replies! I am glad to hear the 1700 block of Park is still nice. I looked at it on Google maps streetview and it looks so pretty - lots of trees and nice rowhouses. I was also looking at apartments in Mid-Town Belvedere but most of the listings just call that Mount Vernon.

I suppose the block-to-block issue does happen to a certain extent in DC because the area near the mall (with all the tourist attractions) is not all that nice. I always cringe when I see people recommend touring the monuments at night -- this is a recipe for getting mugged. In general I feel like the nicer neighborhoods are separated by a larger distance from the less nice neighborhoods, though plenty of crime still happens in Georgetown, Dupont, U street etc.

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by rudy_d

It is an interesting area. The food column in the Sun reported today that the owner of Joe Squared is opening up a Mexican BBQ place across the street from its current location. I've also observed that the dilapidated building on the NW corner of North and Charles appears to be in the process of being slowly demolished. Good news for the area if something eventually goes up in its place.

Thats good news....I have read where there is alot of interest in creating a baltimore version of 'china town' right in the area of North Charles just above north on up to about 25th Street..That whole area is ripe for something and Charles Street is the spine that kinda of holds everything together. The drive from inner harbor to the northern suburbs along Charles presents a nice view of the City.. one that you may not get on many of the main blvds that cross our town. That will only improve if the trolley and station north come togehter.

I walked passed the Station North Townhome development just up from Penn... It was struggling a few months ago.. now all the units are sold or leased so hopefully thats a good sign... Also a good bit of streetscaping is going on between Penn Station and North Ave on Charles. On any given evening the theatre and the local bars there have crowds sitting leisurely outside.. I notice that BPD has put one of their night lights on Club Choices.... I guess to discourage would be bandits from congregating in the area...its working though now they congregate down the alley where its darker

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by rudy_d

It is an interesting area. The food column in the Sun reported today that the owner of Joe Squared is opening up a Mexican BBQ place across the street from its current location. I've also observed that the dilapidated building on the NW corner of North and Charles appears to be in the process of being slowly demolished. Good news for the area if something eventually goes up in its place.

I thought they were in the process of restoring that building??? What happened with that idea?

[Lumerian Feast]

I'd generally take Mt. Vernon over Bolton Hill. While places like the 1700 block of Park are okay, people still get mugged there regularly. (If you can, get a hold of MICA's crime report, which doesn't always show up in city crime reports. MICA students and occasionally faculty get mugged on "nice" blocks several times a week.) East of Eutaw/South of North is far better, but it's still, in my opinion, sketchier than other areas.

You're right, the architecture of Bolton Hill is absolutely beautiful. Don't confuse it for safety.

[jonjj]

Opinions about crime in Bolton Hill can go to the extremes. I work in/near Bolton Hill and never worry about being mugged. But, I use common sense. I would highly recommend the area. The crime there would be similar to the nicer areas of Capitol Hill in DC. Getting mugged everal times a week??? Highly unlikely!

[barante]

I have no idea where Bolton Hill real estate prices/rents are now or where they are headed. But with the epxansion of the University of Baltimore, including a big bookstore, the area between Penn Station and Bolton Hill and Bolton Hill and Munt Vernon are being bridged. This has security implications. If you believe that there is a future, this may be the time and place.

[Lumerian Feast]

Originally Posted by jonjj

Getting mugged everal times a week??? Highly unlikely!

If you can get on the mailing list for the MICA security bulletins, check it out. Muggings are a constant. Maybe the art students are targeted more than locals b/c they "look like art students." But I'm not making this up.

When I was mugged in Bolton Hill, the attitude among my neighbors was "it happens to everyone. I guess your number just came up."

[jonjj]

" + theTitle + "


Here is the crime map for Bolton Hill from the police-stuff stolen from cars is about it.

[paulyank]

You may want to consider living near Camden Station adjacent to Camden yards; you would be in very short walking distance to several very nice neighborhoods such as Federal Hill, Otterbein (that's expensive), downtown is springing up with great new housing; Barre Circle, Ridgley's Delight (zip code 21230), Inner Harbor, U of Md grad school area are all nice places to live. I've been in Barre Circle and walk to my job on Charles St. for the past 15 years and have been loving it. Barre Circle has parking restrictions that make it great for a resident with a car as well.

[mrboltonman]

I have to agree with jonjj on this one. Getting mugged several times a week is highly unlikely unless you are very unlucky and want to get mugged. People definitely get mugged here but the police patrol regularly and the neighborhood if active so it helps deter criminals from doing anything that results in a scene.

You have to use common sense the city. If you see someone shady up the street from you then keep your distance.