Where is a good place to live near Baltimore (Annapolis: home, condo)

[bawlmer]

Thanks carolott. All of the terms of service sould be followed.

As for poor richiehh moving from CA to Baltimore, I can't imagime a worse scenario. If there is any way to turn back now, do it! Baltimore will be a huge disappointment to you. I'm not sure where to recommend you look for housing as I have recently learned from another poster of a crime wave in Towson. Try San Fransico. I think that close enough.

[corewith01]

Baltimore like any city has parts that are dangerous and parts that are really nice. Don't give the entire city a black eye. Down near little Italy is really nice.

[burnt]

Originally Posted by richiehh

Hello,
I from California and am planning to relocate to the Baltimore area and was wondering where is a good to live around here. I heard that Baltimore is very dangerous to live and was wondering what places to avoid. I have been looking around Towson, Pikesville and Ellicott City and was wondering on how these locations are and if they are safe. Also, how much would you say rent would be in these locations. I pretty much looking for a 1 bedroom and 1 bath apartments. Also, is the area near the airport BWI safe to be if I want to get a hotel to look around or should I get a hotel room somewhere a little farther.

We moved here from California a little over two years ago, and I don't think you'll have a problem.

Areas around Baltimore where you might feel at home: Columbia, Ellicott City, Towson, and Pikesville. I don't know which area of California you've been calling home, but we kind of liked the peaceful Monterey Peninsula, where my wife and I met, moved away, married, returned, and had our child. Towson's actually the closest atmosphere I've seen to that kind of yuppy-hippy hybrid area that central California was. We live in Columbia, which lacks a lot of the character one might find desirable, but character is only a short drive away. If you're going to school or work in central Baltimore or anywhere north of it, I'd recommend Towson, since living south of Baltimore and commuting into it is one of Dante's stages of hell. One reason I don't bother going into Baltimore is because the city has made it pretty obvious they don't want suburban visitors coming in from the south, because the highway system into town from that side makes zero sense.

I've worked a little in the BWI airport area, and the hotels there are fine. I wouldn't worry about my car at all at any of the respectable hotels or decent motels in the area. Try looking at a hotel along Elkridge Landing Rd, or in the immediate vicinity.

[rudy_d]

Has anyone noticed that the original post was made almost 2 years ago? Hopefully he's already made up his mind about whether to move here or not.

[dhelfoioracle]

BWI is a safe location. I would also suggest Arbutus and Catonsville as areas to check. I also agree with jonjj about there is safe areas within the city. When I used to go out clubing in the city there was one area we always hang out. I'll have to call my friend to get the name of that area but I remember the locals were friendly and the police used to escort us back to our vechicle every night. It was nice and I remeber me and my friends always said that would be where we'd move to in the city.

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by rudy_d

Has anyone noticed that the original post was made almost 2 years ago? Hopefully he's already made up his mind about whether to move here or not.

Rudy--very observant. I seldom look at the post dates. Will do so from now on. Thank you!

[hairmetal4ever]

Originally Posted by richiehh

Hello,
I from California and am planning to relocate to the Baltimore area and was wondering where is a good to live around here. I heard that Baltimore is very dangerous to live and was wondering what places to avoid. I have been looking around Towson, Pikesville and Ellicott City and was wondering on how these locations are and if they are safe. Also, how much would you say rent would be in these locations. I pretty much looking for a 1 bedroom and 1 bath apartments. Also, is the area near the airport BWI safe to be if I want to get a hotel to look around or should I get a hotel room somewhere a little farther.

Towson-mostly decent, a few rough areas, mid-level in cost...same for Pikesville. Schools are Baltimore County, and are so-so.

Ellicott City is a more typical suburb, but has a neat "downtown" area along the river - but will cost nearly double what Towson or Pikesville will. It's in Howard County which also means better schools.

[skylinemgt]

Look - Baltimore is like any other east coast city. There is crime, etc. most cities but for those of us that like living in the City Baltimore has a lot to offer. I am an avid real estate investor in Baltimore so my view are little tainted. We buy and invest in East Baltimore near Johns Hopkins Hospital - known as Johns Hopkins Medicine. The hospital is spending $2 Billion on infrastructure and the BioTech is an 80 acre campus also spending $2. The place I would want to live is east baltimore. There is a lot of security and reasonable homes for rent. See Baltimorecityrentals.com - baltimore city rentals Resources and Information.

Originally Posted by richiehh

Hello,
I from California and am planning to relocate to the Baltimore area and was wondering where is a good to live around here. I heard that Baltimore is very dangerous to live and was wondering what places to avoid. I have been looking around Towson, Pikesville and Ellicott City and was wondering on how these locations are and if they are safe. Also, how much would you say rent would be in these locations. I pretty much looking for a 1 bedroom and 1 bath apartments. Also, is the area near the airport BWI safe to be if I want to get a hotel to look around or should I get a hotel room somewhere a little farther.

[her1227]

Hi,
I am from Reisterstown, which is 2 towns over from Pikesville. Reisterstown, Owings Mills, and Pikesville are all basically thought to be the same general area (Reisterstown road runs straight through them and into Baltimore city).

In response to someone's question, Pikesville and Towson are both decent places to live. In my opinion, Towson is somewhat safer (I think of it as a nicer suburban area) and has better shopping/restaurants. If you live in Pikesville, you will probably end up driving to Towson to go to the mall, etc., although all of your essential stores, a smaller mall, and a few restaurants can be found on or near Reisterstown Road. However, if you're looking for a bigger Jewish population, you'd like Pikesville better. It is a very close-knit and gossipy kind of community with a mix of jappy jews, orthodox jews, and minorities.

Ellicott City and Columbia are nicer than Towson in terms of shopping/dining, and are just prettier communities. There are fewer jews here and it is more diverse, if that factors into your decision. However, if you live in any of these towns, you will probably frequent all of the others anyway... Anything else, just ask!

[burnt]

Originally Posted by rudy_d

Has anyone noticed that the original post was made almost 2 years ago? Hopefully he's already made up his mind about whether to move here or not.

Heh, nope, didn't notice that.

Okay, let's hope good advice proves valuable in future situations, and that bad advice is forgotten.