Moving to Baltimore help (apartment, crime, safest neighborhood)

[StudentMed16]

Hi, So I'm a female medical student moving to Baltimore. I have never lived on my own before and from the reading the threads I'm a little scared at the crime in Baltimore. I'm going to be going to Union Memorial Hospital and Harbor Hospital (I know they are like 20 mins apart and i will have a car). I have been checking craigslist and crimebaltimore.com and can anyone please guide me with areas that are relatively safe neighborhoods??? I am just looking for a 1 bedroom and safety is a big thing for me.

Thanks!

[Lumerian Feast]

If you look at the sticky at the top of the page, you'll see various neighborhoods described. Charles Village and Roland Park are right next to Union Memorial and are very safe, so they'd be convenient. Fells Point and Federal Hill are further south and are closer to Harbor Hospital. Mt. Vernon is between the two.

[StudentMed16]

What about Bolton Hill? Is that safe?

[mrboltonman]

I find Bolton Hill safe.

Check out B Bistro (A Bolton Hill Bistro - b) to get an idea of the area. I think you will find it nice.

[kinkytoes]

Since you're a girl and safety is paramount, I think you need to concentrate on the building you live in no matter what your neighborhood is like. There are rapes, robberies and breakins all over the country and many times single young women are the targets. Sorry to scare you more. At any rate, it seems to me that men tend to target young single women. So you can be more apt to be a victim of crime even if you live in a rural area with a low "on-paper" crime-rate. Actually that might be less safe if you're single.

Please make sure that the building you live in is safe and has a secured entry. Please also make sure that you look around when getting into or exiting your car and apartment. Also, try to avoid being excessively drunk in private or public since that can make you a target. Also, make sure your windows have opaque curtains. Also, leave the lights on in the bathroom if you leave your apartment and leave the radio on at all times. Make sure that your apartment has locks on the windows and doors Especially if you live on the ground floor.

That goes for any apartment in the suburbs OR the city. And make sure you lock the door when you leave. Wow, now I sound like your mom If you're careful, you can have a safe fun time. I'm sure others have given you the low-down on the safest neighborhoods inside Baltimore, so living in those areas will help, but single girls need to take precautions no matter where they are to avoid crime.

[Lumerian Feast]

Originally Posted by StudentMed16

What about Bolton Hill? Is that safe?

There's some debate:

Walking at night Penn Station to Mt Vernon/Bolton Hill; why does safety vary block to block?

If you search the threads on this board, you'll see many of your questions already answered.

[htillberg]

I live near Union Memorial and find it to be relatively safe. I shared your safety concerns when moving to Baltimore as well. Charles Village, in a managed apartment building might work for you, but you'll want to make sure that it's not a place dominated by undergrads who want to party 24/7.

Since you're driving everywhere, you can pretty much just pick the place that makes you feel the most safe. One area that I found very nice when were looking was the Villages of Homeland (a "gated" community), which is more north of Union Memorial. With your need to commute to Harbor Hospital as well, you might look around Federal Hill, Harbor East, Fells Point. Hopefully you will have a chance to visit Baltimore and scope out the areas you are thinking of living before you come here.

[htillberg]

Ditto to everything Kinkytoes said.

Have you thought about trying to match up with a roommate who will also be a med student? Not just for your safety concerns, but it can be a lot to move to a new city and be on your own by yourself all at once.

[StudentMed16]

Thank you everyone for your inputs!!

[StudentMed16]

What about the necessity of a car? Should I really bring one or is the public transportation system good and safe in baltimore? (especially to hospitals)