Hopkins hospital area (Columbia: sale, house, neighborhood)

[medfieldbum]

Um, I don't think that anyone who doesn't already live here should be drawing any kind of crime map or telling other people where is safe or not to live. Barante, I'm with you on this! Obviously, there are certain real bad hard-core areas where no professioal wants to live. Listen to Blackdoc. Mugging alerts from security every week in the winter. Overall, with common sense, the campus is safe.

I worked on the police force for nearly 30 years in Bmore, and then in security at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, and have lived in the city almost all of my life. And I think someone creating a "crime map" without even being here is well........ As one poster mentioned, there is a shuttle provided by Hopkins; and there is parking on site with personal security escort to your car at night if wanted {And a fair number of staff accept those late at night} (you didn't say if you were driving): so there is no need, if your concern is great, to live terribly close to the hospital. You can live anywhere. Obviously, you are seeking help. Doesn't the hospital give you some kind of relocation assistance? [You didn't say your budget, either].

I don't recommend north of Baltimore Street (though jjonj would say Fayette); I always recommend Thames Point Apartments for Hopkins staff or Spinnaker Bay {though pricey). If you are as concerned about crime as you say, you probably need to rent in a high-rise where other people are (as Blackdoc says), rather than you're own place in a townhouse, say.

On a side note, it's not recommended, in Baltimore, anywhere, to leave your doors unlocked while away or asleep. UPS does deliver on the steps in most parts of town though--except high problem areas.

[herenia]

Thanks. Hopkins does offer relocation assistance except it's based on where you currently live. I don't think philly is more than 400 miles from hopkins so i'll be getting just a $1000 unless i use a hopkins moving service where i can use more than $3000 of their service.

The lady at hopkins also told me security can escort me if i park. i plan on bringing a car but i was looking a house close by.
Would you say the area is safe? In terms of a budget, I'm not looking to spend more than a $1000.

Originally Posted by medfieldbum

Um, I don't think that anyone who doesn't already live here should be drawing any kind of crime map or telling other people where is safe or not to live. Barante, I'm with you on this! Obviously, there are certain real bad hard-core areas where no professioal wants to live. Listen to Blackdoc. Mugging alerts from security every week in the winter. Overall, with common sense, the campus is safe.

I worked on the police force for nearly 30 years in Bmore, and then in security at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, and have lived in the city almost all of my life. And I think someone creating a "crime map" without even being here is well........ As one poster mentioned, there is a shuttle provided by Hopkins; and there is parking on site with personal security escort to your car at night if wanted {And a fair number of staff accept those late at night} (you didn't say if you were driving): so there is no need, if your concern is great, to live terribly close to the hospital. You can live anywhere. Obviously, you are seeking help. Doesn't the hospital give you some kind of relocation assistance? [You didn't say your budget, either].

I don't recommend north of Baltimore Street (though jjonj would say Fayette); I always recommend Thames Point Apartments for Hopkins staff or Spinnaker Bay {though pricey). If you are as concerned about crime as you say, you probably need to rent in a high-rise where other people are (as Blackdoc says), rather than you're own place in a townhouse, say.

On a side note, it's not recommended, in Baltimore, anywhere, to leave your doors unlocked while away or asleep. UPS does deliver on the steps in most parts of town though--except high problem areas.

[BlackDoc]

Ummm, I think all of responders are telling you, No, the area immediately surrounding Hopkins is not safe. Reread the posts and look in some of those areas.

[herenia]

well, it's off my list, i'm looking at charles village and someone told me owings mills is good. I've been told federal hill is great so i'm checking the place out.

[Be More]

herenia...

I lived in Charles Village and liked it a lot. You will find the exact same things "issues" with Charles Village as you will in the Butcher's Hill/Patterson Park area.

I teach in the Patterson Park area. Most of the teachers at my school are your age..live in the immediate area...and walk to school. They love it. A few of them even have husbands/wives that work at Hopkins and walk, as well. As I come up Baltimore St. every morning to my school I encounter what seems like the entire Hopkins work force of folks walking from Fells or Butchers Hill to work each morning. The key word is "walking". They love it.

If you prefer nothingness and gas prices jump all over Owings Mills.

[herenia]

thanks Be More, most people here have said the patterson park area so i'm looking at that. I have a feeling i may end up going with Mercy hospital but i have till next week to make up my mind. In the mean time, i'm looking for an apartment.

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by medfieldbum

Um, I don't think that anyone who doesn't already live here should be drawing any kind of crime map or telling other people where is safe or not to live. Barante, I'm with you on this! Obviously, there are certain real bad hard-core areas where no professioal wants to live. Listen to Blackdoc. Mugging alerts from security every week in the winter. Overall, with common sense, the campus is safe.

I worked on the police force for nearly 30 years in Bmore, and then in security at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, and have lived in the city almost all of my life. And I think someone creating a "crime map" without even being here is well........ As one poster mentioned, there is a shuttle provided by Hopkins; and there is parking on site with personal security escort to your car at night if wanted {And a fair number of staff accept those late at night} (you didn't say if you were driving): so there is no need, if your concern is great, to live terribly close to the hospital. You can live anywhere. Obviously, you are seeking help. Doesn't the hospital give you some kind of relocation assistance? [You didn't say your budget, either].

I don't recommend north of Baltimore Street (though jjonj would say Fayette); I always recommend Thames Point Apartments for Hopkins staff or Spinnaker Bay {though pricey). If you are as concerned about crime as you say, you probably need to rent in a high-rise where other people are (as Blackdoc says), rather than you're own place in a townhouse, say.

On a side note, it's not recommended, in Baltimore, anywhere, to leave your doors unlocked while away or asleep. UPS does deliver on the steps in most parts of town though--except high problem areas.

Very good post but with one exception. The two blocks north of Baltimore up to Fayette have seen a tremendous change occur in the last few years. Every other home there has been rehabbed. I walk/bike through the area quite a bit. Now the reason why I suggest that area is because the homes there are less in price than the tonier Canton/Butchers Hill plus many of them are larger or more recent rehabs. The drawbacks: yes, you are getting closer to Orleans and it can get pretty rough on the other side but that section is ready for change with the Hopkins investments. I know I was surprised when I drove along Fairmont a few years back and noticed the changes that had occured. If you haven't been down that street, I suggest you take a drive to see what has occured.
Just a few years back, I would have told people not to move north of the park at all but with all the work the ppcdc has accomplished, I think you will be surprised. Another sign of progress: about three weeks ago, there was actually a concert held in the green space at Library Square. And that entire section is slated for change by ppcdc.

[barante]

Absolutely right, jonjj. That is one of the hottest areas in Baltimore, housing slump or not. Look at all the rehabbing around Northeast Market, an area that was absolutely the worst. Meanwhile, much of the "bad" border area up to Orleans is becoming heavily Hispanic. That is reflected in the increasing number of new shops, including an excellent Tex-Mex place on Baltimore Street, past Patteson Park.
The keys to people noticing this change are the two huge blocks on Wolfe, between Hopkins and Baltimore Street. A Section 8 housing project that stood there is long gone and plans were for upscale garage townhouses for the doctor men and women of Hopkins. Apparently those fell through because there are now huge FOR SALE signs on that property.
It is only a question of time before those blocks are redeveloped. When that happens, the current no-man's land disappears and Hopkins will be linked to Fells Point!

[jonjj]

Speaking of Mexican restaurants in town, I ate at one the other night: tops in my book and I lived in Mexico for three years. If you are in the mood, try El Trovador at 318 S Broadway. It was excellent and great potions. My combo platter came on two plates!! (not good for the gut). Also, Arcos across the street is great and has excellent outdoor seating in back.

[herenia]

Originally Posted by jonjj

Speaking of Mexican restaurants in town, I ate at one the other night: tops in my book and I lived in Mexico for three years. If you are in the mood, try El Trovador at 318 S Broadway. It was excellent and great potions. My combo platter came on two plates!! (not good for the gut). Also, Arcos across the street is great and has excellent outdoor seating in back.

Thanks for that recommendation. I LOVE mexican food. I lived in a small town in kansas and had this mexican restaurant operated by only mexicans. OMG! They were THE best! I did not like mexican food cuz the prep school i went to in minneapolis did a lousy job but those people in KS had me eating their food every week. For three years i kept searching for a good mexican place here in philly and i gave up last year. The ones i ate at weren't good at all. Had i known this before coming to baltimore on tuesday i'd have stopped there and grabbed a bite.