West Arlington & Gwynn Oak

[Tallybalt]

I spent years driving through NW Baltimore to reach Howard County, and my advice is that it's not worth investing in this part of town outside of Dickeyville and possibly Windsor Hills.

It is a shame that this once vibrant sector of the city has declined to what it is today. Despite several well-kept corners and pockets around the Forest Park golf club and Ashburton, I don't have much expectations of a long term revival. Why?

1. Housing stock. Old wood frame houses are expensive to maintain, and most of the houses have long lost their redeeming virtues that would make restoration worthwhile. This isn't Roland Park which has maintained its integrity throughout the years. Many if not most of the West Arlington and Forest Park houses have lost their stained glass windows, original wood trims and other architectural features that might make a restoration worthwhile. You are looking at empty wood shells of little value.

2. Despite the presence of the metro, NW Baltimore does not have easy access to downtown or the surrounding suburbs. North Baltimore benefits from direct access to downtown and Towson via Charles Street, York Road and I-83.

3. Schools will always be problematic. White families aren't going to invest in this area. The black middle class is losing its interest in remaining in this part of town. Who will come back as long as schools are terrible?

[Tallybalt]

I spent years driving through NW Baltimore to reach Howard County, and my advice is that it's not worth investing in this part of town outside of Dickeyville and possibly Windsor Hills.

It is a shame that this once vibrant sector of the city has declined to what it is today. Despite several well-kept corners and pockets around the Forest Park golf club and Ashburton, I don't have much expectations of a long term revival. Why?

1. Housing stock. Old wood frame houses are expensive to maintain, and most of the houses have long lost their redeeming virtues that would make restoration worthwhile. This isn't Roland Park which has maintained its integrity throughout the years. Many if not most of the West Arlington and Forest Park houses have lost their stained glass windows, original wood trims and other architectural features that might make a restoration worthwhile. You are looking at empty wood shells of little value.

2. Despite the presence of the metro, NW Baltimore does not have easy access to downtown or the surrounding suburbs. North Baltimore benefits from direct access to downtown and Towson via Charles Street, York Road and I-83.

3. Schools will always be problematic. Crime is problematic. There are very few redeeming virtues that might compensate for the problems, such as a waterfront. White families aren't going to invest in this area. The black middle class is losing its interest in remaining in this part of town. Who will come back as long as schools are terrible?

[symbolic1]

Had to tell this story as it seems analagous to typical Baltimore behavior; driving to look at houses around 4:00 in Cedmont 21206 yesterday and stopped at the redlight at Northern Parkway and Harford Rd.. I am two cars back in the left lane on Northern Parkway and the first car in the right lane (white Hyundai with AA driver) throws something out of his window. At first glance I thought it was gum, a cigarette butt or some other insignificant piece of litter. Then something else is thrown out of the window on the street. I crane my neck to see and he's thrown an empty Coke can and a smashed/crumpled up McDonald's bag in the street. He didn't even seem concerned that he'd just throwing trash away in broad daylight at a busy intersection. Honestly, I just shook my head...What is wrong with people? I wanted to ask him where he lived so I could pull up in front of his house and throw my garbage in front of his house..People never cease to amaze me...Sorry, just had to vent. I so want to live in the City because I think it can be great, but when you have folks who lack respect for anything, it makes it tough...

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

Originally Posted by symbolic1

I so want to live in the City because I think it can be great, but when you have folks who lack respect for anything, it makes it tough...

I know exactly what you mean. Littering is the absolute worst. Hardcore quality of life laws could help, but lazy BPD won't care enough to enforce them.

[MDTOPHILLY]

3. Schools will always be problematic. Crime is problematic. There are very few redeeming virtues that might compensate for the problems, such as a waterfront. White families aren't going to invest in this area. The black middle class is losing its interest in remaining in this part of town. Who will come back as long as schools are terrible?[/quote]



Actually, Calvin Rodwell Elementary School in the Howard Park community is a pretty good school. The middle school in the zone is another story. Many people I know send their children to private school after elementary school. I do think that Howard Park has a TON of potential.