maybe I'm crazy-Towson (Baltimore, Dundalk, Catonsville: apartments, condo, crime)

[JessicaGM08]

So, I realize that I must "stay away" from Baltimore county... but If I choose not to, I have seen that Towson is a pretty nice place. Again, my fiance and I are teachers- no children, we will be newlyweds when we move next summer. So now my new question is this: Are the surrounding areas of Towson also okay to live in? My question is based on hotpads.com... I see Pikesville, Mays Chapel, Lutherville-Timonium, Cockeysville, Hampton, Carney, and Parkville to name a few... So basically anything near Towson.

I'm asking because I am not sure how the borders work around Baltimore... I have seen on this forum that safety, etc. may vary by city block.

Also-last thing- I am moving from Michigan so I know nothing

Thanks!!!

[westsideboy]

Stay away from Baltimore CITY, unless you do enough research to find the "nice" parts of town. In Baltimore COUNTY most places are suburby and fine places to live. Price will be your biggest problem there. All of the places you listed would be great places to live. I am sure someone with more knowlege of the area can tell you if there any specific neighborhoods to stay away from.

I lived in Towson for a year, and it was alot of fun. A walkable downtown, lots of shopping, nice cultural things. I would recommend it if the suburbs are your thing

[JessicaGM08]

westsideboy,

Any apartment and/or school reccomendations for Towson? We are going to visit in August

Suburbs are fine for living, as long as there is something to do within 15 minutes

Thank you for your reply-helpful as usual!

[westsideboy]

I have a friend that works at Dulaney Valley High in Timonium. She seems to like it there. I don't know right off hand what elementary or middle schools feed into it.

When I lived in Towson I lived on Epson Rd. near Goucher College. My friend and I rented a condo from some older guy that sounded just like Foghorn Leghorn. Towson has a lot of stuff to do, and if you live close to "the circle", where York, Joppa, and Dulaney Valley Rd. meet. you can walk to nearly every kind of shopping you need to do.

[Rikrich]

I lived in the Baltimore Maryland metro area for over 12 years, including 9 years in BALTIMORE CITY, AND I LIVED TO TELL ABOUT IT. Although there are a FEW decent neighborhoods in BALTIMORE CITY, I STRONGLY ADVISE YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM BALTIMORE CITY. The crime is absolutely horrible, and the homicide rate averages about 260 per year(I don't recall the exact figure). When I lived in Baltimore City from Jan 1990 to Jan 1999, the homicide rate averaged about 300 per year. My advice to you is to check out TOWSON, LUTHERVILE-TIMONIUM, COCKEYSVILLE AND HUNT VALLEY, but it isn't going to be cheap if you choose to reside in one of those areas. During my last 3 1/2 years of residence in the area, I lived in DUNDALK (Baltimore County). When I was living there, the crime was not so bad(I had NO PROBLEMS) and the residential areas were very nice for the most part, and I understand that more housing has been built in Dundalk since I left, so you might want to check it out. But forget about Baltimore City as a place of residence, but do check out the Inner Harbor.

[JessicaGM08]

The inner harbor is in Baltimore City, though... anyway, I am not planning to live in the inner city as I stated above...I AM looking at all the places I listed, aka, Towson. Thank you for the responses and concern It is very much appreciated.

Westside boy--In the inner circle, are there any apt. reccomendations you could give? Also, I assume even though it is in the center of Towson, it's still safe?

thanks!

[westsideboy]

Sorry, I don't know any specific apartments I would recommend. I found my place from a private condo owner just looking in the Baltimore Sun Classifieds and calling him up.

The circle in Towson was very safe when I was there about 6 years ago. I assume it still is now.

[balto charlie]

Originally Posted by JessicaGM08

So, I realize that I must "stay away" from Baltimore county... but If I choose not to, I have seen that Towson is a pretty nice place. Again, my fiance and I are teachers- no children, we will be newlyweds when we move next summer. So now my new question is this: Are the surrounding areas of Towson also okay to live in? My question is based on hotpads.com... I see Pikesville, Mays Chapel, Lutherville-Timonium, Cockeysville, Hampton, Carney, and Parkville to name a few... So basically anything near Towson.

I'm asking because I am not sure how the borders work around Baltimore... I have seen on this forum that safety, etc. may vary by city block.

Also-last thing- I am moving from Michigan so I know nothing

Thanks!!!

Who told you to stay away from Baltimore county!!! I can speak for Towson (I grew up there)and Catonsville(lived here for 25 years). Both are safe, convenient, good schools, nice places to live. If you go to areas N of Towson(Cockeysville, Timonium etc) you will find more apts and the area becomes real suburban. Lots of large apt complexes, shopping malls etc. Not my preference but others seem to enjoy it. Towson itself has a nice feel to it(small city feel). Local street shopping, a mall, colleges, movies etc. There's a movement to close OR slow down traffic through the center of town(circle). Let bikes and peds onto York rd. It would be great if this were to happen but don't bet on it.
Charlie

[Rikrich]

Originally Posted by JessicaGM08

The inner harbor is in Baltimore City, though... anyway, I am not planning to live in the inner city as I stated above...I AM looking at all the places I listed, aka, Towson. Thank you for the responses and concern It is very much appreciated.

Westside boy--In the inner circle, are there any apt. reccomendations you could give? Also, I assume even though it is in the center of Towson, it's still safe?

thanks!

Hi, when I mentioned the Inner Harbor, I did not intend to recommend it as a place for you to live. I mentioned it solely as a place to visit and hang out. It is quite a tourist attraction. There are residential areas down there by the harbor, but they are super expensive. Sorry for the misunderstanding and best wishes to you.

[JessicaGM08]

Rickrich,
Thanks! I understand, the inner harbor is definatley a great place to visit-I've been there We definately cannot afford anything down there, haha. newlyweds just out of college if that tells you anything...