25/m teacher from Ohio thinking about a move to Baltimore

[Oakback]

I've been involved in Baltimore City Real estate for nearly thirty years now.

I've seen wave after wave of the young proffessionals trying to "gentrify" neighborhoods. Once they have a child and look into the schools, get robbed, or have the car broken into, on to the suburbs they go.

Unless you really like the inner city life, and can put up with Baltimore's problems, either spend big bucks on a waterfront location in a gated community, or move to the suburbs.

[barante]

Oakback -- I am surprised you haven't seen changes that I have observed in recent years: Young families fighting over houses in Roland Park and sending their kids to the local elementary school, then to private schools. Young families moving to Lauraville and sending their kids to private or Catholic schools. And the continuing influx of Orthodox families from the New York/New Jersey area who come to NW Baltimore because of religious schools and a relaxed, wholesome way of life.
In short, I suggest that the pattern of families moving out of the city when kids reach school age has been changing. Schools still are a terrible problem, but families have learned to deal with the dilemma with plenty of creativity. Charter schools is one way. I don't know whether outcomes are any different but parents think they are in control of their kids' education.
As to gentrification, it is going on successfully in all of the examples I cited above. New investments and new optimism come with families that rejuvenate areas like Roland Park and Lauraville.
Yes, far more neighborhoods need to share in this success. But things are happening.
Just look at Roslyn and Elsinore that run parallel with Garrison Boulevard and are located west of that thoroughfare (before you reach Windsor Hills). Those blocks are turning around and now some pretty good-looking new ersatz Colonials (with garages) are being constructed on Garrison for homebuyers.
Will those homebuyers encounter problems? You bet. Prostitution and drug dealing to begin with.
Yet the glass is either half full or half empty. I see it as half full.

[carolott]

I'm seeing the scenario Oakback described -- it's sad, but I do think that city living isn't for everyone. Unfortunately, my neighborhood was taken over by out-of-town investors, and it priced out the people you need to revitalize a neighborhood -- artists and other creatives. They want to live here, but they can't afford to...and frankly, I'd rather have them here than the "too-poor-for-Federal-Hill" crowd. It's ironic -- the people who want to be here can't afford it, and the people who would chew off their own arm to get out of here can't afford to leave.

[Oakback]

Barante,
I agree the areas you've described seem to be doing well now. But I think they are the exception rather than the rule.
The big secret is that most sales in Baltimore City were to investors ( many from out of town ) who thought they could realize massive annual appreciation on their investment.
Areas around the waterfront will do well, as will those areas that can benefit from commercial revitilization.
As for most other neighborhoods, I don't think there is much to offer. The recent appreciation has been driven by investors, and insane subprime mortgage terms.
Unless the fed keeps up the interest cutting, I think most of Baltimore City is in for some real hard times.

[barante]

I totally agree about hard times. This is a repetition of what happened during the Reagan years. Two White House insiders, Edwin Meese and Lyn Nofziger, thought they could make some money. With other fatcats, they bought big chunks of West Baltimore. When their scheme collapsed, it was ugly. Their former properties have been a constant problem ever since.
If anything, investor speculation has been more widespread now. But instead of Ed Meese or Lyn Nofziger, lots of the speculators are little guys from Upper Marlboro, Laurel and Bowie.
It will take some time until we reach the bottom of the speculative investment market. A lot of people will get hurt. Lots of neighborhoods will be scarred.

[rudy_d]

I agree with Be More. The negativity about Baltimore on this message board is shocking. The funny thing is that the most vocal complainers either live in the suburbs or have moved away.

I moved here from the Pittsburgh area several years ago and I really like it. The cost of living in Baltimore may be higher than Ohio, but it's a lot lower than most other east coast cities. Crime is a problem, but if you're not involved in the drug trade and are vigilant (keep your doors locked and don't leave anything of value sitting out in your car), it's really not worse that anywhere else I've been in this country.

Federal Hill, Charles Village, Mount Vernon, Bolton Hill, and Hampden are all nice neighborhoods close to downtown where public transportation is accessible. The MARC train from Camden Yards or Penn Station is an inexpensive and easy way to get to DC, although it only runs on weekdays. On weekends, you'd either have to take Amtrak or drive.

[geocycler]

I agree with the previous post by Rudy_D. I have lived in Philadelphia as well as in and around Manhattan. Baltimore has the same share of good and bad places as those urban areas. While the murder rate stands out as a negative, it must be understood that most of these murders involve the drug trade or innocent bystanders in those neighborhoods. If you stick to the neighborhoods mentioned by Rudy_D, the worst crime you will likely ever experience is some sort of vandalism to an auto. Though some on this site try to make Baltimore out to be like Baghdad, it is totally safe if you know which areas to avoid. My recommendation for a safe city neighborhood is Hampden, and if you prefer the suburbs go with Towson.