Very simple question: is Charles Village unsafe? (Baltimore, University Park: apartments, rent)

[europe_78]

Dear all,

I supposed that Charles Village is a quite safe neighborhood, but I recently heard that it is unsafe and dangerous owing to proximity to drug/crime areas. Is there anybody living there that can say how things actually are? Is Hampden a safer neighborhood than Charles Village? In another thread I described my situation, but I give here a very brief recall: we're a young italian couple, maybe moving to Baltimore next year, my wife will work at JHU and I should have a job elsewhere in a research center in Maryland; we want to live close to JHU.

Thank you very much.

[jonjj]

Great Places in America: Neighborhoods

Charles Village received an award for being one of the ten greatest neighborhoods in the states in 2008. It's a great neighborhood, very academic. In terms of safety, a lot depends on where you choose to live.

[europe_78]

Thanks, jonjj. Can you be more specific about your latter statement? Where, in Charles Village, is safe to stay and where it is not, in your opinion?

[jonjj]

Well, until you get your feet wet: I would look for something north of 27th between Maryland and Calvert. That's a generality and I am sure others may disagree with me but I would start with it.

[are you kidinme?]

Originally Posted by europe_78

Dear all,

I supposed that Charles Village is a quite safe neighborhood, but I recently heard that it is unsafe and dangerous owing to proximity to drug/crime areas. Is there anybody living there that can say how things actually are? Is Hampden a safer neighborhood than Charles Village? In another thread I described my situation, but I give here a very brief recall: we're a young italian couple, maybe moving to Baltimore next year, my wife will work at JHU and I should have a job elsewhere in a research center in Maryland; we want to live close to JHU.

Thank you very much.

Very simply...compared to what? Baltimore is a dangerous city-fact. Maybe not as dangerous as some, but a lot more dangerous than many others. Depends on what you are willing to live with. Are you a gambling man?

[diamondeye]

Hello,

I just saw your post. I live at 27th and Maryland (high 2600's), and I will agree that the quality starts to drop south of 27th. I'm just as it's starting to drop off, but hasn't yet really gone yet. For people who are completely new, if you want completely safe, I'd do one of the high rise apartments on University Parkway. I don't know if that's limited to student housing but I don't think it is. If you have enough money, you could buy or rent one of the fancy lofts on St. Paul which is the most "happening" block in the Village. But I will concur with the previous poster to stay north of 27th (and better, north of 30th) and between Maryland and Calvert. And I am even saying that even though technically I live just barely in the "wrong" part.

Edited to add: we have three Italian speakers on the block above me (2700 Maryland). Benvenuto!

[CoffeeOnPier]

Hello,

I went to JHU as an older student from out of state and lived in one of the high rise apartments on University Parkway, right across from JHU on the north side of campus. It was easy, safe, and I could walk to Charles village restaurants and nightlife, also take safe walks north or west of my building in Roland Park. You could try renting in one of these buildings for the first year and then get the feel for the Charles village area as you spend more time there. Good Luck, I loved Baltimore and JHU!

[europe_78]

Thank you all, now I have a clearer idea on Charles Village.

[vivo]

there's always google earth and streetview to help you decide where to live

[ToneGrail]

Charles village is definitely more dangerous than Hampden because of it's proximity to the North Ave -Greenmount corridor. While in itself, it isn't a bad neighborhood, there are quite a bit of muggings due to the spillover of thuggery from Barclay, and Greenmount West. Many students and artist bohemian types live there, including John Waters himself.

Hampden is pretty much surrounded by affluent areas, although it's a combination of mainly blue collar and bohemian types.