Considering relocation to Baltimore (rent, crime, house prices)

[dunsere]

I live in Northeast Florida (relocated here 2 1/2 years ago from Connecticut) but I'm considering a move to Baltimore.

We have a house we'd have to sell, so we would have some cash to put down (although it probably won't be put on the market for quite some time).

I work in publishing and my husband is a chef, although he's looking to change careers. We have never made a lot of money, so housing would have to be very cheap.

Are there any decent neighborhoods where you can buy a row house for around $100,000? I know the market is changing rapidly right now. Any industrial, urban type of setting would be fine, as long as the crime level isn't unbearable.

Photos of neighborhoods are also appreciated, as well as any information you can give us on the job market.

Thanks!

[Streetchie]

Originally Posted by dunsere

Are there any decent neighborhoods where you can buy a row house for around $100,000? I know the market is changing rapidly right now. Any industrial, urban type of setting would be fine, as long as the crime level isn't unbearable.

If crime is a concern, any neighborhood with $100k homes is out of the question.

[Be More]

100k is completely out of the question..if you want to buy.

[mrboltonman]

You can get a shell in a decent area but that's probably it.

[dunsere]

That's pretty discouraging. I've also been doing some research and found that Baltimore is about No. 6 out of the 100 most dangerous cities in the US. We live close to Jacksonville, Fla., and we thought THAT was bad ... but Jacksonville ranks about No. 80.

So, you're saying there's no hope whatsoever, even if we go up to about $120,000? We don't mind an African-American neighborhood (we live in one now that is pretty much crime-free, but it's also a small town.)

[badr]

If you are willing to buy a rowhome for 100k in baltimore get ready to have neighbors like drug dealers, junkies and prostitutes.

For a safe bet, try 300K

and in all fairness, Maryland is EXPENSIVE.

My wife and i are from here, and unless you dont live in an upity neighborhood, its not going to be good... u should move to texas... cheaper housing better quality of life...

you can buy a decent house in plano in a good neighborhood for about 120K

Originally Posted by dunsere

I live in Northeast Florida (relocated here 2 1/2 years ago from Connecticut) but I'm considering a move to Baltimore.

We have a house we'd have to sell, so we would have some cash to put down (although it probably won't be put on the market for quite some time).

I work in publishing and my husband is a chef, although he's looking to change careers. We have never made a lot of money, so housing would have to be very cheap.

Are there any decent neighborhoods where you can buy a row house for around $100,000? I know the market is changing rapidly right now. Any industrial, urban type of setting would be fine, as long as the crime level isn't unbearable.

Photos of neighborhoods are also appreciated, as well as any information you can give us on the job market.

Thanks!

[oneworld25]

Originally Posted by badr

If you are willing to buy a rowhome for 100k in baltimore get ready to have neighbors like drug dealers, junkies and prostitutes.

For a safe bet, try 300K

and in all fairness, Maryland is EXPENSIVE.

My wife and i are from here, and unless you dont live in an upity neighborhood, its not going to be good... u should move to texas... cheaper housing better quality of life...

you can buy a decent house in plano in a good neighborhood for about 120K

As others have said, if you want to buy a house in a decent neighborhood, it's going to cost at least $200,000. This being said, don't listen to badr, there are plenty of nice areas in Baltimore.

[rudy_d]

If you have a good opportunity in Baltimore, why not rent for a while until you get a feel for the area? House prices here haven't fallen nearly as much as other parts of the country and still could (and probably will) go down a bit more.

[dunsere]

Sorry badr, Texas is out... I spent a week around Houston/San Antonio, and it was the ugliest place I've ever seen. I'm aware that most of the deep South has cheaper housing, but we don't care for the conservative culture. This place (Fernandina Beach) is beautiful, but dead.

Thanks for all your responses, however.

What about Pigtown? Is is a little more affordable?

[jonjj]

If you and your husband are willing to do some work on a home, you should be able to find one for 100 grand in a decent neighborhood. But, that means rehabbing. If you are planning a three to five year stay, you would probably end up making money on the deal.
Your husband is possibly thinking of a new career?? Well, you found it. rehabbing your home.