Work in Fells Point- where to live for family? Fed. Hill/Fells/Canton (Baltimore: to rent, crime rate)

[northsouthnorthsouth]

Hi,

My husband may be working for a company that operates in DC and Baltimore. If he works in Baltimore, then he'd be working in the Fells Point/Little Italy area. We have a two year old and a newborn and want to rent in the city for a year so my husband doesn't have much of a commute and we can take advantage of being in the city before and if we decide to move out to the suburbs.

Originally I was looking at Federal Hill because I've been there once before and know it to be more of a family friendly neighborhood. I'd like a place that has a sense of community, activities for the kids (other young families with children- we're about 30 years old), and parks and swimming would be great, too. Then I found out where his office would be and started thinking about the Fells Point/Patterson Park/Canton area but don't know much about it. Any suggestions as to where would be better/safer for a family- any areas to avoid?

I was pretty set on Fed. Hill, but can any of these areas rival it? We'd be renting and need at least a two bedroom, preferably $1800 or under and would like parking for one car- of course!

Thanks!

[jonjj]

You may find a larger home in both Patterson Park and Butchers Hill than you would in Federal Hill. They are all about the same in terms of crime, parking, etc. Also, look into Upper Fells Point. I love Federal Hill but the parking their can be brutal.

[ltong1009]

I recommend joining the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance. A great resource. We live in Butchers Hill / Upper Fells, and love the neighborhood. The park within walking distance is awesome. http://dbfam.org/

[wigs817]

I see a ton of young families with small children when I run in Patterson Park... it seems a lot of them live in Butcher's Hill. That is one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city, and not as many parking issues as Fed Hill. I couldn't deal with the parking situation there- it would give me anxiety coming home on a Fri-Sun night after 8p and not being able to find anywhere to park by myself, much less with little ones!!

[northsouthnorthsouth]

Originally Posted by ltong1009

I recommend joining the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance. A great resource. We live in Butchers Hill / Upper Fells, and love the neighborhood. The park within walking distance is awesome. Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance

Thanks, I just found the family alliance website the other day- really interesting. And thanks for the neighborhood recommendation.

[dkgVT]

Federal Hill is nice area, but also very young (early 20's), in my opinion. I would look more around the Paterson Park area or even Locust Point.

[barante]

Patterson Park/Butchers Hill.

[fakeeyes]

Patterson Park has been a great choice for our family, and you will be able to find quite a nice place to rent for under the 1800 per month you need to budget for houseing. My wife and two boys ages 4 and 8 moved to Patterson Park last July. We love the neighborhood and judging from the number of parents with strolers in the park, it seems like more and more families are finding the area appealing. There's no shortage of reasons why: access to Patterson Park and it's boundless suply of recreational opportunities the pool, the fishing lake, the ice skating rink, ball fields, the Pagoda, summer movies and festivals and concerts; our great public charter schools PPPCS (Patterson Park Public Charter School (PPPCS) and Hampstead Hill Academy - right across the park - (HHA47 - Hampstead Hill Academy), and our fun and phunky restaurants three, morning edition, La Pizzarea TexMex, Romans; 24 hour grrocery Santonis (they deliver, also); our latin and Italian delis; the diverse population; the proximity to both Hopkin's campuses; I could go on and on but I'll spare you all for now. Suffice to say that Patterson Park and/or Butcher's Hill and Upper Fells are all worth a good hard look if you want to move your family in to the city.

One caughtionary note: keep your house hunting south of Fayette Street. There are good deals on nicely rehabbed properties if you venture North of Fayette, but these would not be good family options, yet, as the crime rate north of fayette Street is still too high. .

[carolott]

Originally Posted by barante

Patterson Park/Butchers Hill.

I agree with this suggestion. If I was in a similar situation, I would choose these two neighborhoods (or Fells Point, close to Patterson Park) over Federal Hill or Canton.

[bawltmer]

Originally Posted by northsouthnorthsouth

Hi,

My husband may be working for a company that operates in DC and Baltimore. If he works in Baltimore, then he'd be working in the Fells Point/Little Italy area. We have a two year old and a newborn and want to rent in the city for a year so my husband doesn't have much of a commute and we can take advantage of being in the city before and if we decide to move out to the suburbs.

Originally I was looking at Federal Hill because I've been there once before and know it to be more of a family friendly neighborhood. I'd like a place that has a sense of community, activities for the kids (other young families with children- we're about 30 years old), and parks and swimming would be great, too. Then I found out where his office would be and started thinking about the Fells Point/Patterson Park/Canton area but don't know much about it. Any suggestions as to where would be better/safer for a family- any areas to avoid?

I was pretty set on Fed. Hill, but can any of these areas rival it? We'd be renting and need at least a two bedroom, preferably $1800 or under and would like parking for one car- of course!

Thanks!

Go down and check out the city pool at Patterson Park. Very welcoming.