Neighborhoods (Baltimore: real estate, rentals, crime rate)

[Jman056]

Hello Everyone,

I will be moving to Baltimore in a couple of months and was hoping to get some information from current residents regarding neighborhoods. I will be working for the Department of Corrections and will be moving with my wife and dog. We are life long New Yorkers and prefer the city life. However, I am aware that Baltimore has a higher crime rate than your average city. From a couple of trips that we have made to Baltimore we have primarily checked out the Downtown area, Mt Vernon and Fells Point. We went on a weekend and outside of Inner Harbor, the rest of the Downtown area seemed extremely deserted, not much of a neighborhood feel. Just wondering if anyone had any other suggestions regarding moderately safe neighborhoods in the city. We have a few more months until we move but I am trying to gather as much information as I can. Thanks a lot!

[mrboltonman]

Bolton Hill is on the edge of Mt Vernon. I like it.

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by Jman056

Hello Everyone,

I will be moving to Baltimore in a couple of months and was hoping to get some information from current residents regarding neighborhoods. I will be working for the Department of Corrections and will be moving with my wife and dog. We are life long New Yorkers and prefer the city life. However, I am aware that Baltimore has a higher crime rate than your average city. From a couple of trips that we have made to Baltimore we have primarily checked out the Downtown area, Mt Vernon and Fells Point. We went on a weekend and outside of Inner Harbor, the rest of the Downtown area seemed extremely deserted, not much of a neighborhood feel. Just wondering if anyone had any other suggestions regarding moderately safe neighborhoods in the city. We have a few more months until we move but I am trying to gather as much information as I can. Thanks a lot!

The "sticky" at the top of the Baltimore thread has information on all the neighborhoods. With the dog, I would check out Patterson Park. There is lots of information on the web about it and the park is great for dog-walking, other events.

[Jman056]

Thanks "jonjj", there is a lot of useful information in that sticky. "Mrboltonman", thanks for the suggestion. I have heard good things about Bolton Hill

[jonjj]

The Real Estate Wonk: Patterson Park gets 'comeback neighborhood' nod - Baltimore Sun reporter Jamie Smith Hopkins blogs about the local housing market - baltimoresun.com

Patterson Park named one of the best "come-back" neighborhoods in the country!

[Jman056]

Good to know about Patterson Park. Do they have a lot of rentals there?. Or do you pretty much have to be ready to buy?

[robmpreston]

Originally Posted by Jman056

Good to know about Patterson Park. Do they have a lot of rentals there?. Or do you pretty much have to be ready to buy?

There's a lot of rentals. I'm personally going to check out 4 different rentals in the area tomorrow morning. Hit up Craigslist.

[davecj]

Are you looking to rent or to buy? Housing in Canton/Patterson Park area took a temporary dive but things seem to be leveling out. From what I've seen, houses are generally selling for 10-30% less than what they would have gotten a couple years ago.

The nice thing is if you're looking to rehab a row home. Shells used to routinely sell in the mid 100's! And we're talking about a place that is just 4 walls and a roof. The shell prices have come down to far more realistic numbers which is why you're seeing a lot of investors back at work.