European young couple moving to Baltimore or to Washington (Annapolis: best neighborhood, apartment)

[carolott]

I was just sitting here thinking...DC resident's post sums up quite nicely why I left DC almost 8 years ago, and Barante's posts sum up why I enjoy Baltimore so much more.

Annapolis is lovely...at least the historic district -- that's usually where I spend my time when I'm in Annapolis. But it's also very expensive, and they're experiencing an upswing in crime that isn't being reported in the news, which I find a bit odd. I do love it there, though...especially along the water.

I used to work in DC three days a week and commuted sometimes by train, sometimes by car -- either way it took me around 2 hours each way from door to door, and it just wasn't worth it. There's four hours out of every day that I wasn't spending with friends or family, and I hated it after a while.

[Streetchie]

Baltimore is an interesting city, but if crime is a concern, don't move there.

[carolott]

If crime is a concern, live in a bubble. Seriously. There's crime everywhere, and how you deal with it says more about you than where you live.

[Streetchie]

Certain amounts of crime do happen everywhere, but you know that Baltimore has a huge crime problem. If crime is a concern for this poster, there are other mid to large sized cities in the US that are much, much safer. As a matter of fact, ALL mid to large cities are safer than Baltimore. Just keepin' it real for someone who is looking for honest advice, not denial.

[barante]

I appreciate your concern for the OP. However, your talk about other mid-sized cities seems besides the point since the OP's job offer is for Baltimore.

[atlas1882]

Given that the OP is from Europe, I'm surprised no one has yet suggested Mount Vernon for consideration. It's hard to think of more European spot in Baltimore than Mount Vernon Square.

[helenejen]

Here's some information so that you can gather some additional information about where you might like to live.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_D.C.
http://www.crimeindc.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore

The Wikipedia sites have lots of links to other sites so you can do some virtual exploring.

On a personal note, I lived in Chicago for years and, since my move, have thoroughly enjoyed living in Baltimore for the last 16 months.

[carolott]

Originally Posted by Streetchie

Certain amounts of crime do happen everywhere, but you know that Baltimore has a huge crime problem. If crime is a concern for this poster, there are other mid to large sized cities in the US that are much, much safer. As a matter of fact, ALL mid to large cities are safer than Baltimore. Just keepin' it real for someone who is looking for honest advice, not denial.

Oh brother.

I'm not in denial about anything. I wouldn't, for example, tell someone to move over to Park Heights across from the racetrack if they're looking for a safe neighborhood. On the other hand, if crime is your only concern, then a bubble or fortress is probably your best option.

And no, NOT all mid to large cities are safer than Baltimore. What the heck.

[helenejen]

Am I missing something or is DC not exactly the safest city? For both Baltimore and DC, it depends on where you live in the city.

And as for population decline, DC has also suffered population loss, though both Baltimore and DC have recently enjoyed an increase.

[Streetchie]

Again, the original poster expressed concern about crime and I stand by my statement. I think that you will enjoy Baltimore, it's a very unique city. Unfortunately, it has a big crime problem and if that is a turn off, stay away, that's all. Pigtown, the Baltimore neighborhood which I recently left, has had 50 house break-ins in the last 90 days!! That's a crime problem.