Best Place For UMB Grad Student to Live (Baltimore, Mount Vernon: real estate, apartment complexes)

[imjaded23]

I am starting my MSW program in the fall at UMB and am looking for a place to live in Baltimore. I am moving up from a city out on the outskirts of Richmond and am not too familiar with Baltimore. I know that I don't have the money to live in the inner harbor area, and while I like Canton, Fed. Hill, and Fells Point, I would like to live somewhere near (safe) public transportation and I haven't heard about much in that area commuting to downtown. I was thinking Charles Village area, taking the JHU shuttle to Penn Station and commuting that way or by bus as some others had suggested, but now I am just reading posts about "smart people not choosing to live in Charles Village.." So basically, I am just struggling a little bit.

I want to live alone and would prefer to pay under $1000 a month (including utilities). I would prefer a safe area near public transportation or within walking distance of UMB. Additionally, I would like to be near other nightlife/restaurants/etc. But, obviously I am willing to sacrifice most things for safety and easy transportation access to school as I will be commuting most everyday.

Thanks in advance for all of the help

[psychofan]

Have you checked the school's apartment listing?

http://www.housing.umaryland.edu/local.cfm

http://www.housing.umaryland.edu/ads/index.cfm

I lived at Inner Harbor Loft Apartments (corner of Lombard and S. Paca) when I was at UMB and thought it was GREAT. It's is a quick one minute walk from the school (in fact I believe the school bought and managed this building since I left a few years ago).

Other good options:
1) The Greenehouse
2) Marlboro Classic
3) Redwood Square
4) Sail Cloth Factory
5) The Zenith
6) Inner Harbor Loft (as mentioned earlier)

All within a 2-5 minutes walking distance and all pretty safe.

[rudy_d]

Have you looked at Mt. Vernon?

[imjaded23]

Thanks psychofan. I haven't looked at Mt. Vernon rudy. Is it nearby or close to public transportation? I am looking at trying to stay on a budget.. I would pay up to $900 a month with all utilities etc included, but I don't want to unless I have to.

[imjaded23]

Also, I've looked at most of the places mentioned by psycho and the rent is starting at $975+.. I am looking for rent at abut $650-800

[imjaded23]

Any other suggestions?

[mrboltonman]

Most new apartment complexes are going to be out of your budget so your best bet is to search craigslist.

Mount Vernon has public transportation.

[htillberg]

It might not be to your liking, but there's nothing particularly wrong with Charles Village. Just make sure it's REALLY Charles Village. People listing real estate can get sort of loose with describing their rental's neighborhood .
And your plan to take the shuttle to Penn Station is easy and very do-able.

As for Mt. Vernon--very cool neighborhood also with public transportation and I would say, depending on what part you live in, could be walkable to UMB.