Meeting people / moving into the city (Baltimore, Towson: crime rate, month to, house)

[synthleopard]

Hi, I'm a 20-something from Hunt Valley and am looking to meet people and re-start my life. I'm a musician and keep hearing that Baltimore has one of the best music scenes in the nation... are there any good places to get started?

Also... is there any point in moving into the city? I'm looking for a short-term place to live on the soon side, but everything I am hearing about the crime rate is a little worrisome since I have heavy instruments and I'm a short blonde female with an old car! Would I just be better off sticking with the suburbs when looking for a roommate and apt? I work in Towson.

ps- regarding a few other threads, people from HV aren't terribly snobby, it's just impossible to meet young people since it's mostly families. The apts. here and in Cockeysville are ridiculously overpriced for what they are.

[jonjj]

Well--you only live once. I say go for it. Plenty of people live in the city.

[ajacksb]

You'll be fine in the city as long as you don't do stupid things like leave your instruments on the front seat of your car in plain view. Search the forums if you want recommendations on great city neighborhoods...Charles Village, Mt. Vernon, Fells Point to name a few.

Considering your age and the fact that you're a musician, most suburbs will be boring. Come to the city where there are loads of musicians and university students who are looking for new friends.

[ltong1009]

Station North near the train station is a great place for a musician.

[cdesousa]

Damn I am moving there from Jersey next month and that is not very welcoming. As far as the original post I think you should stay in the suburbs Baltimore is pretty dangerous I am only going to school there. I am 21 and really tiny and there is no way I would live in Baltimore but thats just me, I am sure you will find good friends just be cautious and you will do fine.

[rudy_d]

Originally Posted by cdesousa

Damn I am moving there from Jersey next month and that is not very welcoming. As far as the original post I think you should stay in the suburbs Baltimore is pretty dangerous I am only going to school there. I am 21 and really tiny and there is no way I would live in Baltimore but thats just me, I am sure you will find good friends just be cautious and you will do fine.

You're from Jersey and obviously don't know much about the city based on your other posts, but you're giving people advice about living in Baltimore city? That doesn't seem fair. Maybe I should start posting my opinions on the Jersey forums.

As to the OP, are you FROM Hunt Valley or do you currently live in Hunt Valley? If you're from there, I would hope that you have some knowledge of the city and don't need an internet forum to tell you about it, as it's only a few miles down I-83.

I know several musicians who live or have lived in Charles Village. Hampden is also a good bet--the bars and restaurants are full of hipsters. The Station North/MICA area seems to be where a lot of music scene is coming from, as it has a lot of studios and potential practice space, although it's rougher around the edges (maybe attractive to artists):

Breaking Artist: Beach House : Rolling Stone

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by cdesousa

Damn I am moving there from Jersey next month and that is not very welcoming. As far as the original post I think you should stay in the suburbs Baltimore is pretty dangerous I am only going to school there. I am 21 and really tiny and there is no way I would live in Baltimore but thats just me, I am sure you will find good friends just be cautious and you will do fine.

Exactly how tiny??? I say anything above three feet and you're fine in the city as long as you don't go out trying to buy drugs at night. Also, get familiar with the city before you post. There are lots of nice neighborhoods in the city that are way more interesting than the burbs.

[synthleopard]

Originally Posted by rudy_d

You're from Jersey and obviously don't know much about the city based on your other posts, but you're giving people advice about living in Baltimore city? That doesn't seem fair. Maybe I should start posting my opinions on the Jersey forums.

As to the OP, are you FROM Hunt Valley or do you currently live in Hunt Valley? If you're from there, I would hope that you have some knowledge of the city and don't need an internet forum to tell you about it, as it's only a few miles down I-83.

I know several musicians who live or have lived in Charles Village. Hampden is also a good bet--the bars and restaurants are full of hipsters. The Station North/MICA area seems to be where a lot of music scene is coming from, as it has a lot of studios and potential practice space, although it's rougher around the edges (maybe attractive to artists):

Breaking Artist: Beach House : Rolling Stone

From - I grew up here, spent a couple of years away, moved back in '04 and have had the worst time meeting people. I'd like to give it another chance here before I relocate (probably Philly) since there's a good music scene.

I was actually more interested in new ways to connect with people my age, I've tried continuing education classes etc., with no luck. I've been playing open mic nights out in the 'burbs and yeah, the bar scene out here is pretty boring. Everything on rent.com for Cockeysville/Towson are soulless overpriced boxes. Yuck! Personal Info Alert: My fellow musician-ex just left me without a trace (while I was out of the country grrr) for someone who appears to be involved with the Station North scene so I'm kinda nervous about trying to get involved down there now.

Another issue is that I also need a roommate -- are there any good places to look for roomies that would accept month to month rent? I've poked around on Craigslist a bit.

[Be More]

Lots of scared people out there. Pretty amazing really. How do folks NOT find new friends and meet new people anytime they move? I moved here 4 years ago and I have met and become friends with a lot of people...ranging from people that have lived here their whole lives to newcomers. Black, white, latino, gay, old, young....what is the problem here folks?

[mlmeloy]

I second Hamden. It sounds ideal for you, based on the (albeit limited) info you supplied.