Guilford questions (section 8, loan, home)

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by Lee Weaver

My comments on crime are based on looking at the map at crimebaltimore.com, as some other threads suggested. There aren't any murders or anything, but do seem to be a lot of incidents, and that corridor to the east looks pretty bad. People menitoned a lack of street entry from that side- not sure if there is a wall/gate or secured entrances over that way?

This has been discussed before on the threads but what the heck. I don't use crimebaltimore for a reference. I use the Baltimore Police Department or the Baltimore Sun for direct information. Just my personal preference.

People living in Guilford or Roland Park or Homeland all seem to be pretty content. I am sure crime happens there but I don't think it is a major concern.

In terms of the York Road corridor to the east of Guilford, it always amazes me how difficult it is to actually find a way to enter the Guilford neighborhood given the one-way streets and blocked arteries. I think a visit to the area would probably reassure you better than our comments.

[Tallybalt]

Lots are not big in Roland Park or Guilford, except for a few certain pockets. The typical lot is about 1/4 to 1/3 acre, with a few houses having as much as 1/2 acre. You will certainly know your neighbors.

There's a part of Roland Park that flows into Guilford and the architecture is similar. If you google map, say, 4300 Somerset Road, you will get a pretty view of that part of Roland Park. Large brick and stone houses from the teens and the 1920s.

Most of Roland Park was built between 1891 and 1910 and the houses tend to be frame, but the houses built after 1910 tend to be brick and even stone. Guilford is almost entirely brick, stone or stucco and these houses tend to be easier on the maintenance requirements than Roland Park. An old Guilford friend of mine once said that Guilford houses could withstand a nuclear impact.

As for covenants (Barante, why are you so concerned about covenants?) you can certainly have child playground equipments in Guilford. They will have to be placed in the backyards, not in the front of the house.

Roland Park has more families because the schools are in Roland Park, but I doubt your children will be at a disadvantage in Guilford. It's only a few minutes' drive from Roland Park to Guilford.

Ruxton is a very woody neighborhood with a mixture of housing types. Lots are large. You can't go wrong with any of these neighborhoods but if you are looking for a classic 'in-town' neighborhood, I would choose Roland Park or Guilford over Ruxton.

Originally Posted by Lee Weaver

I've been looking online some more, and parts of Roland Park seem to also offer similar "neighborhood feel", at least from what you can tell on Google Maps overhead and street view. I would gather from the location that crime is a little better there. Is it a safe assumption that Gilford's homes are more brick or stone, while Roland Park's more wood frame?

We are trying to avoid a situation where the homes are so far apart that you only end up waving to your neighbors once a week and speaking to them annually. Ideally we would want a yard large enough so that we're not hearing each other's dinenr conversations, but close enough to be social, with plenty of younger families with kids. Brick house is preferable, 3-4K square feet, 5+ bedrooms.

Does Ruxton have any areas that fit that bill? Any other areas to look? Thanks again.

[barante]

Since many people these days give more thought to what they will have for lunch than what and where they buy, I want newcomers to Baltimore to understand that the old Roland Park Company communities (Roland Park, Guilford and Homeland) take covenants seriously. That means no boats and campers, etc.
If homebuyers were informed, there would be no need for this reminder. Alas, too many homeowners have no idea about what they are getting into. They buy beyond their means, they ask this board for informed and uninformed opinions without taking the trouble to come to Baltimore and drive around for a couple of days to observe their prospective neighborhood at various times of the day.
Since many neighborhoods today either have no covenants or they don't enforce them, I think it is absolutely necessary to point out those communities that still take them seriously. That means that all alterations, including paint jobs, may have to be approved. Those who know all this mayskip my posts, if all this is too boring.

[ToneGrail]

All these occured well within the borders of Guilford within the last 24 hours:

http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/crime/102656/crime-log/

4100 block of Greenway at 7 p.m. Oct. 27. Man robbed of cash while getting out of vehicle.

Canterbury Road
3800 block, between 12:01 and 7:30 a.m. Oct. 27. Laptop, GPS and briefcase stolen from vehicle.

South Road
2200 block, between 11 p.m. Oct. 26 and 6 a.m. Oct. 27. Orange and black Robi leaf blower stolen from shed of residence. Entry gained by breaking off lock.

St. Paul Street
3900 block, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Oct. 29. Silver, four-door, 2007 Chrysler PT Crusier with Maryland tags 9EE40 stolen.


I guess the security patrol can only do so much when the borders are porous to pedestrian traffic. Still, these occurences are generally rare for this area. Hopefully it's not going to be a recurring trend. Maybe they need to make it a gated community like Cross Keys.

[ToneGrail]

Originally Posted by jonjj

Really, only one side of Guilford borders on a tough area--Greenmount/York. And that is pretty well patroled.

Yeah, the other sides of Guilford are bordered by Canterbury-Tuscany, Roland Park, Homeland, and Oakenshawe, all good neighborhoods.

The East (York-Greenmount) side is bordered by Wilson Park, Pen Lucy, and Waverly, all economically depressed gang-infested hoods. Those are the places I am referring to.

It's also only a stone's throw away from "Better" Waverly, Ednor, and CHUM, which are also not exactly what you would call safe. In fact, CHUM is one of the most murderous hoods in Baltimore.

[ToneGrail]

Originally Posted by jonjj

In terms of the York Road corridor to the east of Guilford, it always amazes me how difficult it is to actually find a way to enter the Guilford neighborhood given the one-way streets and blocked arteries.

Unfortunately, this does not stop the pedestrian thugs from entering Guilford.

Also, you can still enter by car via Argonne/39th St, which is a major artery that bisects Guilford.

[barante]

The Willie Sutton syndrome is evident in Guilford. The bad guys know that's where the money is.
As to violent crime, I think the last two murders (several years ago) in Guilford involved family disputes.

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by ToneGrail

Unfortunately, this does not stop the pedestrian thugs from entering Guilford.

Also, you can still enter by car via Argonne/39th St, which is a major artery that bisects Guilford.

Where there is a will, there is a way--even in the delightful burbs. I suggest to the original poster to see the area for him/herself and judge from that angle. Those areas, regardless of whatever spotty crime reports are brought up are still some of the most beautiful areas in the entire metro area.
I asked about crime to a coworker who lives in Roland Park and she said it happens but it's not serious. She's happy there. I'll go by that versus innuendo.

[Tallybalt]

I agree. I work in Columbia and there's about the same level of crime in Howard County as in Roland Park and Guilford. Bike thefts, the occasional house break in and the occasional car theft. My co-worker lives in an expensive Howard County subdivision and her car was stolen from her driveway.

The bright side is that most burglars aren't going to steal Grandma's silver these days. They are after electronics and flashy jewelry, stuff easily pawnable and easily replaceable.

Originally Posted by jonjj

Where there is a will, there is a way--even in the delightful burbs. I suggest to the original poster to see the area for him/herself and judge from that angle. Those areas, regardless of whatever spotty crime reports are brought up are still some of the most beautiful areas in the entire metro area.
I asked about crime to a coworker who lives in Roland Park and she said it happens but it's not serious. She's happy there. I'll go by that versus innuendo.

[Lee Weaver]

Originally Posted by barante

Since many people these days give more thought to what they will have for lunch than what and where they buy, I want newcomers to Baltimore to understand that the old Roland Park Company communities (Roland Park, Guilford and Homeland) take covenants seriously. That means no boats and campers, etc.
If homebuyers were informed, there would be no need for this reminder. Alas, too many homeowners have no idea about what they are getting into. They buy beyond their means, they ask this board for informed and uninformed opinions without taking the trouble to come to Baltimore and drive around for a couple of days to observe their prospective neighborhood at various times of the day.
Since many neighborhoods today either have no covenants or they don't enforce them, I think it is absolutely necessary to point out those communities that still take them seriously. That means that all alterations, including paint jobs, may have to be approved. Those who know all this mayskip my posts, if all this is too boring.

I appreciate the mention of covenants. Like most I assume that they wouldn't bother me, but that's always the case unitl they actually do and then its too late. If I went to buy in Guilford then I would definately study those, though I don't have a camper or raise livestock or anything too unusual.