Barclay neighborhood (Baltimore, California: real estate, crime, houses)

[atariwhizkid]

So, I've been thinking about becoming a homeowner in Baltimore somewhere close to Penn Station. I currently live in the Station North area on St. Paul St. and have been exploring real estate in the area. The first thing I've noticed is that Station North, Charles Village and even Greenmount West property is getting really expensive... but, then there's Barclay. It's relatively close to all these places but property is still dirt cheap. I know there was some heavy gang activity in that area a couple years ago, but I'm wondering if that's now subsided and it's worth a risk. If I don't get beat up or fired at, I'm pretty alright with any neighborhood, as long as people are friendly/non-confrontational and it's moving in a positive direction long term. Any opinions/insight?

[Woodlands]

if the boom years were ahead of us.. I would say give it a shot, but since that is not the case...then I say you should weigh your options. That is Barclay compared to what other neighborhoods you may be considering.

Barclay.. which I imagine encompasses the east and west sides of Barclay Street more generally 25th Street(south); Greenmount Ave (east) Guilford? (west) and I would guess either 30th street or 33rd to the north. Unlike most of Baltimore.. good versus bad is this area is not necessarily block to block but almost house to house with some nice rehabbed homes just one or two door or even across the street from some problemed properties. The fact it is bordered by busy Greenmount Av, which is often a hot spot in sections, makes the area vulnerable. So the more north and west in this small area you can get.. the better off you probably are.

In terms of will you get messed with if you walk down the street......if I could predict that.. I would set up a website and a pay pal account take requests and be rich. Use your best judgement, talk to residents...if you knock on their door and they dont answer or are afraid to talk with you.. chances are you may not want to move in that block. View the crime reports or talk with distict commander and visit the neighborhood day, night, and especially on weekends to gauge your comfort level.

[Billiam]

Its such a beautiful neighborhood, especially along 22nd. But im not sure if its the right move.

There is a plan for the neighborhood though ~ http://www.baltimorecity.gov/governm...OldGoucher.pdf

[medfieldbum]

Whiz---I think the majority of people who live there are probably warm and welcoming. However, the area is mired in poverty and social inequality--not to mention widespread drug use. And the nice people there do not control the territory (neither does the city government).
It is usually regarded a stronghold of the Black Guerilla Family, an urban street/prison gang.

If you don't care about any of those things, fine: it all depends on your penchant for risk.

But as an investment? Nah, there's reasons for those places being so cheap.

[atariwhizkid]

Black Guerilla Family? In Baltimore? I thought that was a California thing...

Anyway, all good points, most of which I hadn't thought about, so thanks. I've done a few drive-throughs (and several walkthroughs by accident over the last couple months) and like everyone's said, it's a crap shoot. Several blocks are nicely restored and others are just the normal Baltimore gang war-zone/burned out vacants. Crime reports show a few shootings on the east side of the neighborhood over the last few months, which is about the same rate I've seen around Station North. Muggings and car break-ins are common, too.

I'm actually not looking for an investment-type place, just somewhere livable and that I can eventually get more out of than I put into it. If the house loses no value, that's all I care about. That, and not having to deal with crack heads and drug dealers, of course. And I like being close to Penn Station since I'm a DC commuter. Any other ideas for decent prices and places around there?

[barante]

Many of the other areas near Penn Station share some of the problems outlined to a greater or lesser degree. Given time, the area you are interested in is likely to improve. But several other neighborhoods will improve first, including the blocks near the old Goucher College and the urban wasteland of industrial buildings and small but potentially nice rowhouses between Calvert and Greenmount. In fact, I predict that latter pocket will see a dramatic and quick turnaround after the economy picks up. Meanwhile, though, headaches.

[atariwhizkid]

Aren't the Old Goucher blocks in Barclay? And which industrial buildings are you talking about... what are the cross streets?

[barante]

Old Goucher is in Barclay if that's how you define Barclay (I thought you meant the area more east, along Barclay, which gets increasingly iffy).
The industrial buildings are on Guilford, at Federal or Lanvale.

[rudy_d]

Originally Posted by atariwhizkid

Aren't the Old Goucher blocks in Barclay? And which industrial buildings are you talking about... what are the cross streets?

I think technically Old Goucher is the area between North Ave. and 25th St. west of Guilford Ave., a section of Charles Village. The Barclay neighborhood consists of the streets to the east of Old Goucher heading towards Greenmount.

http://www.charlesvillage.org/images...ssocations.gif

[ToneGrail]

Unless you have a death wish, you shouldn't walk around Barclay even during the middle of the day. The place is gang infested.