Decent housing in Cumberland (Baltimore, Columbia: apartments, rentals, violent crime)

[dunderheader]

Is there a resource for finding decent apartments/house rentals in Cumberland and nearby? The places we've seen are terrible! Makes Pigtown, Highlandtown and Dundalk look upscale.

I lived in some dumps in college, but a lot of these places have lathe showing in the living room.

Please advise. Thanks

[dunderheader]

Oh, and what neighborhoods should be avoided? It looked pretty grotty, but maybe I was in the wrong place? Thanks

[wycoff]

Cumberland, formerly an industrial powerhouse, is a very economically depressed place and most of it is run down. I don't think that there's that much violent crime, but drug use (especially meth) is epidemic. I think that, in general, you'd want the South part of the city- stick with the area between the Allegany County Circuit Court House and the former Sacred Heart Hospital (the Northwest part of town). Also, LaVale seems like it would be better than Cumberland proper.

[westsideboy]

I must disagree with wycoff. Meth is not prevelant in Allegany County. I know because I work in a field that has access to this sort of information. Drug use is an issue, but it is more weed, crack from Baltimore, and pain killer scrips sold illegally.

Also in terms of neighborhoods, West Side is the best overall - a mix of upper class and middle class neighborhoods. South End is a big neighborhood and the sections known as Johnson Heights and Mapleside are solid middle class areas. Good parts of North End and East Side exist too.

The "higher crime" places are around Maryland Ave, Virginia Ave, Baltimore Ave, and Columbia St. As a general rule, if you are at least 3 or 4 blocks away from these streets, you are golden.

[wycoff]

Originally Posted by westsideboy

I must disagree with wycoff. Meth is not prevelant in Allegany County. I know because I work in a field that has access to this sort of information. Drug use is an issue, but it is more weed, crack from Baltimore, and pain killer scrips sold illegally.

That's good news. My anecdotal experience suggested that meth was prevelant in the area.

EDIT: And my first post should read that you'd want to avoid the South Side of the city. Economically, the best area of the city overall is north of I-68 and west of Will's Creek.

[westsideboy]

The South End neighborhood is about 1/2 of the city by land area. In this neighborhood are many smaller neighborhoods.

Overall the areas east of Maryland Ave and north of Oldtown Rd. are good (MD Ave is separated from the Johnson Heights neighborhood by a very steep and rugged hill.) Everything South of Oldtown Rd. and east of Pennsylvania Ave. is nice as well (this is Mapleside). Everything south of the CSX mainline is called "Little Egypt." This is a blue collar neighborhood, but still a good place to live for the money.

Dunderhead, if you have any questions about specific streets, just let me know.

[dunderheader]

Everyone has posted valuable information. Thanks!

Anyone know what Seton apartments or the units at 818 Mt. Royal (looks like a former factory or warehouse).

Thanks

[cmdguy]

Seton apartments are decent, they are clean, safe, and mostly professional people that live there. There are some apartments in the Seton apartments that have people with disabilities living there but that shouldnt be an issue. They arent modern by any means but they are pretty nice.

818 Mt. Royal is most likely the old school that was converted to apartments, I dont know anything about what they are like inside, but that part of town is a nice middle class area.

[westsideboy]

Of the two I would suggest Seton Apts. first. Overall the Mt. Royal apts. (in the old Dingle School) building are OK, but you will occasionally get a low life or two in there.

[dunderheader]

Anyone know anything about Town and Country Apartments (guy was strange on the phone) or Miller Apartments? Thanks