Why I'm Leaving Baltimore (insurance, homes, buy)

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by ToneGrail

Funny that you mention that. One of my co-workers is Nigerian. He tells me emphatically that other than their skin color, African blacks and American Blacks have very little in common culturally. He is terrified to drive through some of the rougher black neighborhoods in Baltimore and takes the freeway instead, even if it takes longer.

I wonder if he has ever been to Lagos, Nigeria. Having been there a few times, it makes Baltimore look like a children's tot lot.

[jeffredo]

Recent business trip to Baltimore kind of surprised me. First off, our office here has the nicest people of any of our offices (which are coast to coast). I always enjoy dealing with them - such down to earth good people. I did notice this time (while taking an extra few days to play tourist) that other white guys here always nod, smile and said "hey" or "how ya doin'?" as they past me on downtown streets. No, they weren't coming on to me. I'm talking almost all of them - postal carriers, businessmen in suits, guys in hardhats, ordinary Joes out doing their work day business - they almost all acknowledged me as I'd pass them. The biggest contrast was no black guy my age did the same. I don't look at people any different based on race - I'm a friendly yuck, tend to be in a good mood and usually walk around with a pleasant look on my face. I asked a coworker at our office about it (also white) and he said that its because we are the minority here now. Its almost like a club or something, recognizing a similar person with a "hello" almost the way Black people do each in other in Bay Area (I've notice that my whole life). Just an observation by an outsider - carry on!

[boreatwork]

Originally Posted by jeffredo

Recent business trip to Baltimore kind of surprised me. First off, our office here has the nicest people of any of our offices (which are coast to coast). I always enjoy dealing with them - such down to earth good people. I did notice this time (while taking an extra few days to play tourist) that other white guys here always nod, smile and said "hey" or "how ya doin'?" as they past me on downtown streets. No, they weren't coming on to me. I'm talking almost all of them - postal carriers, businessmen in suits, guys in hardhats, ordinary Joes out doing their work day business - they almost all acknowledged me as I'd pass them. The biggest contrast was no black guy my age did the same. I don't look at people any different based on race - I'm a friendly yuck, tend to be in a good mood and usually walk around with a pleasant look on my face. I asked a coworker at our office about it (also white) and he said that its because we are the minority here now. Its almost like a club or something, recognizing a similar person with a "hello" almost the way Black people do each in other in Bay Area (I've notice that my whole life). Just an observation by an outsider - carry on!

probably true..but inexcusable vice versa

[sunnyfl77]

Great post, I live in Tampa Florida and I am moving to Bmore in two weeks to be closer to my mom whom has only been in Bmore 3 months due to her job... The job market is really really bad in Florida , and i wanted a change... I haven't lived in a big city in my adult life... I did visit in September , an i can say that i loved the culture , there was some sort of Book event downtown ... I loved it .....

[sunnyfl77]

I agree with you ... I live in Tampa now and I'm moving to Bmore to be closer to my mom , and Tampa is nice , but the economy is so bad ...

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by jonjj

I wonder if he has ever been to Lagos, Nigeria. Having been there a few times, it makes Baltimore look like a children's tot lot.

True indeed.. the Highway Bandits in Lagos are no joke... I heard crime was high in parts of Johannesburg as well. Ironically the populace of Lagos suffer from some of the same ills that plague Baltimore.. High unemployment, low literacy rates, and corrupt politicians but on a much larger scale

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by Woodlands

True indeed.. the Highway Bandits in Lagos are no joke... I heard crime was high in parts of Johannesburg as well. Ironically the populace of Lagos suffer from some of the same ills that plague Baltimore.. High unemployment, low literacy rates, and corrupt politicians but on a much larger scale

I've traveled quite extensively and lived in Mexico for three years. Never have I found a place as corrupt or insane as Lagos. Baltimore is a picnic in the park.

[predator1972baz]

I left Chicago due to a lack of jobs in the area. I feel your pain but I'm moving into the area. Truth is also of the things you complain about are in every city. The only way to get away from the things you said is to move into a suburb (away from the city).

As African Americans we get sickened by stupidity by our own. Makes us do this every time we see it.

Like you I have lived in many different cities. Even been overseas (Army deployments to places like Iraq and Afghanistan) Lovely places to just "get away" and the sun settings are nice.

Originally Posted by sibelian

My demographics: in my 50s, well-educated, partnered, well-traveled, with a very good job in a recession-proof slice of an almost-recession-proof industry. I've lived for at least 3 years in each of the following cities: Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, New Orleans (pre-Katrina), Pittsburgh, and Seattle (with shorter stints in Anchorage, St Paul, and Canton OH). I've now been in Baltimore for five years. I am leaving this summer ... to where is undecided, and it doesn't matter right now, as I (thankfully) can work anywhere, and work well. But leaving I am, and I'll be slamming the door on the way out.

First, let me recite what I like about Baltimore: the "high" culture is quite good, with an amazing amount of classical music performances, art (the two largest museums are free at all times), live theater, and film choices. If one is unsatisfied with the offerings, DC is just down the road at an average travel time of 45-50 minutes. Philadelphia is only 90 minutes, and it's never taken me longer than 3 hours to drive to New York City. The restaurants are good, some amazingly so, with good diversity; the crab is delicious. The climate is mild, in that winter hasn't been bad (the current one excluded !), and summer has never been sweltering longer than a day here and there. It only costs $1.60 to get to BWI airport on the light-rail, and with Southwest as the largest carrier, it is easy to get away cheaply. Ah .... and that's about it for what I like.

I think the thing I detest most is the undercurrent of racial tension and animosity, flowing almost always (from my perspective) from black to white (DISCLOSURE: I am white, my partner is black). This city is 68% black ... and to a degree greater than any place I've lived (even New Orleans), I find my black city-mates to be dour, surly, unhelpful, disrespectful, distrustful, loud, obnoxious, piggish, threatening, pestering, and plain low-class. And yes, I can think of multiple conduct examples for each of those adjectives. Here are a few:

1. having to bolt from this past summer's July 4th fireworks at the harbor, because a few homeboys saw fit to discharge their handguns, which set off a stampede that almost crushed a number of people;
2. having to listen to brain-numbing, bass-thumping car stereos blaring with rap music cruising through my neighborhood at 2 am, every weekend;
3. black girls fighting in the middle of a downtown intersection while the cops did nothing (more on the Baltimore police later);
4. general surliness from black employees of stores, fast-food restaurants, and other establishments on a daily and consistent basis, despite one's attempts to be as friendly as possible (watch out for the girl in the fish department at Whole Foods);
5. rude groups of young blacks at various sit-down restaurants who are loud, profane, and generally obnoxious, and when asked to tone it down, cause an even larger scene by accusing the management of racism;
6. regular stories in the local news about crimes by young blacks on the transit system, as well as my own personal experiences on the subway and light-rail, having to endure intolerable behavior by black youth and wondering why there are never any transit police when you need them. ADVICE: don't use mass transit in Baltimore.

My interactions over the course of five years have been consistently negative, consistently even in terms of geographical locations throughout the city, and consistently depressing when given thought afterwards. A telling sign: I am always filled with dread upon flying back to Baltimore from another city ... wishing that I was able to stay where I had just left. NOTE: none of the foregoing applies to the people I work with; my workplace is quite diverse, and I will miss my colleagues. But the people I work with are on a higher plane in terms of education and class, and the people I encounter outside work are, generally, on a much lower plane. That sums it up: this is a low-class city, a dooky hole of racism, and while I wish it were otherwise, I can't wish away the facts of my experience.

Now that I've ensured a slew of flaming hate in response, let me list some of the other things I hate about this place:
1. terrible streets and roads. Try driving up Calvert street or down St Paul street; avoiding the pot holes is like playing a video game.
2. red-light cameras. The city is installing more and more of them. Don't even try to make a right on red without making a complete stop.
3. Corruption. Our mayor just resigned after being convicted of theft. The cops are laughable ... never there when you need them, and always around if you're 5 miles over the speed limit.
4. Taxes. You'll pay a 3.05% Baltimore city income tax, on top of Maryland's 4.75% state income tax.
5. Garbage pick-up is once a week. And when you're walking downtown, see how many rats you can spot. I drove over one last summer as I was pulling into my apartment building's parking garage.
6. Think you're going to bicycle in this city?!? Think again. This city is the least bike-friendly of any place I've lived. There are no dedicated bike lanes, and if the pick-up trucks don't get you, the pitted streets will. At least our world-famous Shock Trauma Center will take good care of you.
7. The parks. Yes, we have them. And yes, in good weather, they are overrun with minority youth who will make you feel exceedingly out of place and uncomfortable.
8. Utility bills. Say hello to BG&E, and get used to electric bills that, in summer at least, will rival your car payment.

I think that's enough. It's enough for me. As much as I like my current job, and I really do like it, I'm saying goodbye in just a few months (I'm actually counting the days, and yes, my partner is going with me). If you're considering a move to Baltimore, well .... good luck. You'll need it.

[Correll1234]

I live in baltimore,md and i have been living there all my life I have not had any of these problems.I never had any racism problems or anything baltimore may be a low class city but have yu check the last couple of years ago how baltimore use to look,baltimore have shown a great popularty.In 1980 baltimore population was 637,418 and ever sence 2008 it was 785,618 Till this day if you think i'am not telling the truth here go the link [url=http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=8&oq=baltimore+po&ie= UTF-8&rlz=1T4ACEW_enUS368US368&q=baltimore+populatio n]baltimore population - Google Search[/url]

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by Correll1234

I live in baltimore,md and i have been living there all my life I have not had any of these problems.I never had any racism problems or anything baltimore may be a low class city but have yu check the last couple of years ago how baltimore use to look,baltimore have shown a great popularty.In 1980 baltimore population was 637,418 and ever sence 2008 it was 785,618 Till this day if you think i'am not telling the truth here go the link baltimore population - Google Search

This is misinformation. Although Baltimore's population decline is not as steep as it once was and has even leveled out a bit; it has not increased in population and is no where near that 785 number. I didn't look at the link but I could safely say that from other information.