North Mt. Vernon/ Mid-Town Belvedere; Symphony Center Apartments Safe and Good Location? (Baltimore: lease)

[E18]

Hi! I am moving to Baltimore soon, and about to sign a lease with Symphony Center at 1020 Park Avenue. I realize this is either the Northern tip of Mt. Vernon or in Mid-Town Belvedere, depending on which map you use. I have heard good things about Mt. Vernon, but people seem hesitant to recommend living this far north. Is this a safe area for a young woman to live? I will be working downtown and plan to walk there each day (about 1.2 miles). What if I need to come home after dark? If I walk with my female roommate to the restaurants in the middle of Mt. Vernon at night, will that be safe?

Also, I have been told that it is not safe to take the bus or the lightrail, ever. Is that true?

Also, if anyone has anything to say about Symphony Center apartments, that would be helpful.

Thanks so much!

[jonjj]

A. The place you are moving to is perfectly fine. I have friends there and they love it.
B. Whoever told you not to ride transit probably doesn't ride transit. If he or she did, you would not have heard that. It's kind of like Chicken Little. I ride transit daily and have never had an issue. I will suggest however that late at night--catch a cab.
C. If you come home after dark, no problem. I would suggest a cab if late at night. Say, after 9 or so.

[rudy_d]

Haven't seen the apartments, but that's a great location. Its proximity to public transport is a major bonus. I use the MTA daily and have never had a safety issue on the bus or the light rail. My biggest complaint would be overcrowding and lateness.

[carolott]

I ride the bus every day twice a day, and sometimes the light rail. Agree with whoever said that the person who warned you away from transit probably doesn't use it. One of the great things about living in the city is the fact that you really don't need a car, if you're willing to adjust how you live -- I'd rather have the money in my pocket instead of giving it to Exxon, Geico, the state of Maryland, and the City of Baltimore.

[kinkytoes]

That apartment bldg. is on the westernmost side of Mt. Vernon. They're nice, but I think that spot can be a little sketchy, personally. I think there is a low-income housing or something to the west and the ppl come over to go to RiteAid etc.

Anyway the good things are: it's not too sketchy. AND you can walk to DUKEM on Maryland for Ethiopian food, and if you like to drink Dougherty's Irish Pub is like 2 steps away. I'm not a big bar person, but lots of people hang out there. It's very low key, relaxed neighborhood bar.

Yep you can walk to work. Are you working downtown? If so, then walking down Charles might be good. It's a pretty street. You can also walk West to Bolton Hill which is pretty nice as well. It's very picturesque. I would avoid too far SouthWest. No offense to those to live there.

[gottaGetOut]

another vote for the light rail/transit system.

I've only visited my Mt Vernon-dwelling best friend several times, but I'm enamoured of the rail system there (better than some, give it a break!). Ridden it at a variety of times and days -- just be normally cautious. I'm headed back in a week, and really, I can't wait. You can't beat a town where you can visit for a week and never really *have* to drive -- bye, bye, DUI!