Inner harbor vibrancy (Baltimore: apartment, how much, hotels)

[marchawg]

Hey all,

I've been coming down to Baltimore almost every year since I was a kid, going down for a couple O's games in the summer. I was just there again this past weekend with my wife, and I just love the inner harbor area. I know it's not the "true Baltimore," but we found everyone to be incredibly nice and helpful.

So here's the question: How is the harbor in the fall/winter/spring? I am assuming that there is not live music in the winter just because of the temperatures, but does it have that same general vibrancy of lively feel?

I'm looking to relocate and Baltimore is on my list of places. I know the Central district pretty well, but I've only driven around/through the other districts. I'm just curious if the Inner Harbor becomes a relative ghost town in the off-season.

Other things of note about my situation: I am currently employed; I work from home (programmer). We poked around a bit at some apartment buildings' websites (Zenith, Ivymount) and found the cost to be very reasonable. I have 2 children under 2 years of age. We aren't having any more kids. We have a lab mix dog who lived with us in an apartment in NYC previously.. as long as she gets her run, she is good.

If we do relocate, we plan on moving to the Inner Harbor, but are open to other neighbourhoods.

[DJ Pioneer]

I agree with your opinion of the Inner Harbor. It's always nice to go down there for food, events, or just a walk. It seems like the convention center has events all year round. I think you should look into private schools - from what I have read many public schools in the area are pretty bad (maybe someone with experience can confirm this).

[marchawg]

Yeah, we would be looking at private if we ended up staying in the center city when they are of school age. It really depends on how much we like living in the city with the costs of having them in private school vs living in the suburbs and sending them to a good public school.

I am somewhat torn about the issue, because I went to a public school and feel like I had a good experience. My school wasn't the best (ranked 6/10 on school rankings websites), but it had a good mix of social and educational activities.

[Be More]

THere have been a lot of threads on schools. There are schools in the "City Center" that anybody should be happy to send their kids to..I teach at one of them.

[marchawg]

Yeah, I'm not so much worried about schools just yet. It's still a few years off and I've learned that nothing ever goes according to plan

Right now I'm more concerned about how the downtown stays lively year round.

[rudy_d]

I work near the inner harbor and would describe it as is lively for 3 of the 4 seasons. There are fewer crowds in the winter unless there's a big convention in town or the weather is unseasonably warm. I'm constantly amazed by the daytime crowds that the harbor gets during the week, especially in the summer. Having lived here for a while, I take it for granted.

[kungfulkoder]

The harbor can be nice, but if you're looking to live here you should look at a couple of the nighbourhoods around like Federal Hill or Fells Point. They are both in walking distance to the harbor but are actual neighbourhoods. Whereas something like the zenith seems like a nice place in and of itself, it doesn't have much of a neighbourhood to speak of.

[Woodlands]

Just curious on thoughts between the inner harbor and fells point.. I have talked to various friends and associates.. some have lived in Baltimore a long time.. others just a few years. What I noticed that was interesting is that many prefer Fells/Harbor East over the Inner Harbor.. THe reasons run the range from Fells/Harbor East being "safer" and less pan handling to being less crowded, more authentic/less touristy, more adult, just to name a few. I am torn between the two. I think they both have their pluses and minuses...but a couple of articles such as Legg Mason moving over there have gotten me wondering if in fact there is a shift away from the inner harbor and if so, why????

I do think with all the hotels that are under construction and the eventually the new Baltimore Arena and Pratt Streetscape will bring a resurgence to the area.. but they are certainly down the road...

[Be More]

It is funny. Many people who were born and raised here prefer not to be anywhere near the Inner Harbor..which is understandable. Many also don't want anything to do with the water. If you talk with the much older generation the water simply meant dirty work. Long time Locust Point residents are shocked that folks want decks on their roofs to actually SEE the water...where as to them it meant back breaking work. Mt. Vernon was built to keep the upper class away from the smell and noise the water brought. Then you have recent invaders like myself..coming from the Midwest...and I love being around the water..although I prefer Fells Point to Inner Harbor or Harbor East.

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by marchawg

Hey all,

I've been coming down to Baltimore almost every year since I was a kid, going down for a couple O's games in the summer. I was just there again this past weekend with my wife, and I just love the inner harbor area. I know it's not the "true Baltimore," but we found everyone to be incredibly nice and helpful.

So here's the question: How is the harbor in the fall/winter/spring? I am assuming that there is not live music in the winter just because of the temperatures, but does it have that same general vibrancy of lively feel?

I'm looking to relocate and Baltimore is on my list of places. I know the Central district pretty well, but I've only driven around/through the other districts. I'm just curious if the Inner Harbor becomes a relative ghost town in the off-season.

Other things of note about my situation: I am currently employed; I work from home (programmer). We poked around a bit at some apartment buildings' websites (Zenith, Ivymount) and found the cost to be very reasonable. I have 2 children under 2 years of age. We aren't having any more kids. We have a lab mix dog who lived with us in an apartment in NYC previously.. as long as she gets her run, she is good.

If we do relocate, we plan on moving to the Inner Harbor, but are open to other neighbourhoods.

I personally prefer the harbor in non-summer hours. It's more personal. It's easier to ride the bike without the crowds. The service is usually better. The weather is nicer. The water smells better. But, to answer your question: The vibrancy is still there.