Why Baltimore Isn't Detroit (Towson: apartment complex, attorneys, home)

[rudy_d]

Originally Posted by EdwardA

Baltimore has some things going for it the port, Hopkins and proximity to DC. Otherwise it would be Detroit by the Atlantic.

That's like saying New York has some things going for it, like the financial industry. Otherwise it would be Detroit on the Hudson. Or Washington has some things going for it, like the federal government. Otherwise it would be Detroit on the Potomac.

Every city has assets and liabilities. They just need to be smart about building on the former and minimizing the latter, which I think is what The Sun article was getting at. It's hard to believe that just a few decades ago NYC was on the verge of bankruptcy and experiencing rapid population decline, but Ed Koch managed to turn the city around.

[sbyman]

Baltimore thrives because of its port, its strong communities, its close proximity to D.C. and Philly, great shops and movie theatres, tons of bars and everything is walking distance. Itook one bus to and back to work, a lived 3 blocks from teh grocery store, 7 blocks from my doctor/dentist, a free bus to take me to Harbor East, which I frequented often, the Landmark The Rotunda and Charles Theatre all gave me a different movie experience, my gym was one bus away from, when i didnt want to walk it, and my best friends i met there. Honestly there aint one disadvantage living there. So much diversity in food and restaurants too. I can can a chicken box or dress fancy and spend $150 with a loved one.

[kcmo]

No comparison. Baltimore has issues and some big ones, mostly with violent crime and a really rough ghetto.

But the city also has so many positives. Baltimore has many thriving urban neighborhoods that continue to grow and become more popular. Downtown Baltimore has attractions and tends to be busy with tourists etc. Downtown and Harbor east are still bustling business centers. Baltimore has better transit and is just a much healthier city in general.

I think the crime and rougher areas of Baltimore get all the attention, meanwhile, so few people know about the healthy, growing and thriving parts of urban Baltimore. Detroit is in a whole different league of urban decay and blight.

[Jackie Martling]

Baltimiore and Detroit have alot of differences but they are both as dark

[TBideon]

DC's prosperity definitely bleeds into Baltimore, plus Charles Street is f'ing awesome!

[KodeBlue]

Originally Posted by TBideon

DC's prosperity definitely bleeds into Baltimore, plus Charles Street is f'ing awesome!

Baltimore's prosperity is bleeding into Baltimore.

[jonjj]

10 Worst Cities to Visit in the United States | EscapeHere

Interesting. I guess Baltimore has enough positives to avoid this list.

[are you kidinme?]

Originally Posted by jonjj

Being originally from Detroit, I don't see any similarities at all. Some may point to crime but few mention New Orleans which outbeats both of them. Some may mention racial make-up but Detroit is something like 85% African-American.
Detroit is geographically flat with lots of lawns and freeways. It has hardly any rows. It lacks nearby forests and other major cosmopolitan cities (DC, Philly). It also lacks an ocean to the east and mountains to the west. It's avenues are much broader and it does not have the streetlife Baltimore has. It is also very spread out with a huge city area. Baltimore is tiny in comparison. It doesn't have any transit to speak of. I could go on.......

The topic should read, "Why Any City is Not Detroit". It is the only one in bankruptcy excluding Flint, it's nearby neighbor.

Detroit also lacks an active volcano. Just sayin.


" It also lacks an ocean to the east and mountains to the west."

Oh no! Where did the mountains and the ocean go?

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by are you kidinme?

Detroit also lacks an active volcano. Just sayin.


" It also lacks an ocean to the east and mountains to the west."

Oh no! Where did the mountains and the ocean go?

childish. No wonder few take you seriously.

[Woodlands]

I also believe that Baltimore City has a better relationship with the State of Maryland and the surrounding counties than Detriot has with its suburbs.. There is racial and economic contrast between the Detroit City and its Suburbs and potentially the State of Michigan that makes the resemble a yoke around the city's neck. Baltimore doesnt have a perfect relationship with its suburbs but its more functional. Also, I think the Baltimore suburbs realize, though they may not admit it, that there is a symbiotic relationship between the City (being healthy or atleast breathing) and the health of the suburbs and the region. I dont think the Detroit suburbs believed that.. but now some of them may experience the same decline as the City (especially in areas immediately adjacent to it)... There was an article in one of the planning journals that summed it up perfectly ....when outside businesses and industry think of "Detroit" their frame of reference isnt a city limit line.. "Detroit" is a reflection of their entire metro area.