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Black folks don't own and operate nothing in Baltimore. They don't have any power to inflict any racist agendas, maybe bigoted, but not racist (there is a difference).
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.
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.
I have to agree with the first writer. Baltimore is not a city that I want to return to at any point. I lived there for five long years and conducted business there for thirteen years. I encountered a high level of ignorance. Poverty, lack of education, crime, drugs, and much more. The school system is poor, parks are not nice, and most places are dangerous. I would not recommend moving to Baltimore. The population is decreasing for a reason. People are leaving. High taxes, electric bills, and other major issues. I am Black. First time that I was called a ****** was in Baltimore. Racial tension is still present. Please move and don't turn back.
I have to agree with the first writer. Baltimore is not a city that I want to return to at any point. I lived there for five long years and conducted business there for thirteen years. I encountered a high level of ignorance. Poverty, lack of education, crime, drugs, and much more. The school system is poor, parks are not nice, and most places are dangerous. I would not recommend moving to Baltimore. The population is decreasing for a reason. People are leaving. High taxes, electric bills, and other major issues. I am Black. First time that I was called a ****** was in Baltimore. Racial tension is still present. Please move and don't turn back.
It has been a particularly slow day at work so I took the time to read this ENTIRE thread.
I moved to Baltimore last year after having lived and traveled up and down the East Coast for the last twelve years.
Originally from the area, I grew up in one of the more "conservative" counties outside of the city - therefore, this is my first foray into "city living" in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area.
I agree with almost everything the OP says and having lived and worked here for a few years, I will point out some of my observations as they affirm the OP's comments and some of the replies to the OP's original message.
1. There is, without question, tension between the downtrodden and those of us who get up, go to work and reap the benefits of working for a living. I've seen a "spike" both here and in other cities since the economy plummeted in 2008.
2. There is, again, without question, a sense of entitlement in this city - and I will say, having lived and worked up and down the east coast, that is more noticeable than in other cities. One perfect example is the jaywalking - it's rare that you find an intersection along Charles or St. Paul where the light turns green and you are the driver faced with droves of pedestrians DELIBERATELY crossing the street. When you have the NERVE to keep driving or BOTHER to honk your horn as they are the ones in the wrong, you get cursed at, the middle finger comes up, or in a few of my experiences, they'll beat on your windshield or car hood. Because of the racial makeup of the city, yes...most of these individuals are black. However, when summer is in full bloom, you get it from all races - particularly the idiot tourists down/around the inner harbor area.
3. As for the roads and the traffic signals - they are the worst I've seen anywhere. The upcoming "Grand Prix" seems to be patching up some of the rougher spots around town but overall - especially on Key Highway & Light Street, you feel as though the bottom of your vehicle is about to collapse onto the road. The traffic signals are terribly archaic - there is no rhyme or reason to them. You could sit at a light for 3, 4, 5 minutes and be in a line of 10-12 cars and the light does not change and there is no traffic at the cross street - obviously these are on "timers" and as a relative who grew up here told me, the same timers he experienced driving from his house to high school some 40+ years ago. The worst is when you are unfortunately in North, West, or East Baltimore in a bad neighborhood (case in point - North Ave/Greenmount where TONS of "do nothings" hang out on the corner all day, every day) and are stuck at a light for what seems like an endless amount of time.
4. The ONLY consistently safe and decent neighborhood that has everything you need within walking distance is Inner Harbor East - 24 hour security, Whole Foods, 24 hour CVS, high end liquor store (without the plexiglass wall between you and the cashier), fabulous restaurants, and high end apartments and condominiums. If you're thinking of moving to the city and can afford the rent/mortgage, live there - I wish I could/did.
5. The city IS more personable than it's transient neighbor to the south "DC" but moves at a snail pace - checkout lines, traffic (again), pedestrians on the sidewalk. If you go shopping for anything from groceries to clothes, bring your iPod or a magazine - you'll be in line forever. No one has any sense of urgency or "schedule" - I'd be inclined to use the old "CPT" excuse and go the racial route but it's not a racial issue - it's everyone. If you go out to eat, 9/10 you'll be waiting for that check FOREVER.
6. Speaking of food, the city DOES have a lot to offer - more stable and more "tradition" than again, the more transient DC - great seafood, wonderful "Greek Town", "Little Italy" and other great spots scattered throughout.
Overall, my advice is, if you can afford to live in Baltimore, get close to the water. Don't take public/mass transit (I attempted the "Circulator" this winter and basically us "working folk" had to share it with homeless (all races) who were drunk, belligerent homeless men who smelled and had trash mouth comments every time someone boarded the vehicle. DO NOT veer too far east or west of Charles Street/St. Paul Street on foot - the "do nothings" are constantly on their stoops or cruising by east to west or vice versa in droves with windows down, foul mouths and loud music. The police are corrupt and as one comment stated, out for "important things" like parking tickets and speeding tickets all the while ignoring the fact that there are multiple shootings and homicides every day here. You thought "The Wire" and "Homicide" were fiction - live here and you'll realize they are all too true...
Ha, this is good. I always felt this way living in Baltimore.
"I encountered a high level of ignorance. Poverty, lack of education, crime, drugs, and much more."
*It's bad! Damn near depressing at times.
Quote:
Originally Posted by thetruthhurtswhenspoken
I have to agree with the first writer. Baltimore is not a city that I want to return to at any point. I lived there for five long years and conducted business there for thirteen years. I encountered a high level of ignorance. Poverty, lack of education, crime, drugs, and much more. The school system is poor, parks are not nice, and most places are dangerous. I would not recommend moving to Baltimore. The population is decreasing for a reason. People are leaving. High taxes, electric bills, and other major issues. I am Black. First time that I was called a ****** was in Baltimore. Racial tension is still present. Please move and don't turn back.
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