Ocean City MD. I don't get the appeal???? (Baltimore, California: live in, restaurants)

[BabyJuly]

I've been there twice. I hear about the traffic nightmare every weekend. Coming from the DC beltway--the ride to OC is terrible with the bay bridge backup, route 50/301 back-up, and then stop and go stoplight traffic along route 50. That what stops me from coming. By "North of the boardwalk" do you mean north towards Delaware? Are there good places to stay West of the boardwalk in non oceanfront properties? I would attempt the drive during the week but I don't want to stay in a run down property.

[marlinfshr]

Think of Ocean City as split between the old and the new. Downtown (boardwalk area) is the older section. Some nice places and some dives and smaller and older "motels" and cottages with a few newer hotels thrown in along the way. That is where most of the "action" is.

North of the boardwalk, especially uptown, is the high-rise area with newer (70's onward) hotels and condos/rentals).

West Ocean City, before you cross the bridge into town, has built up considerably in the last 20 years and has some decent chain hotels.

[marlinfshr]

Originally Posted by BigCityDreamer

Calm, peaceful and less crowded. Almost dreamlike. But I don't want to let to many people in on this secret, for obvious reasons.

Thats a totally different world for me. Ocean City to me is the Rt 90 bridge south.

[bus man]

Originally Posted by james777

And while you are at it, you should tell us about the current crop of miscreants in the Caribbean. No place in the Caribbean is even near as safe as Ocean City, MD.

I've been to five different Caribbean islands. I don't have crime stats in front of me, but I know how I feel when I'm at somewhere. Grand Cayman Island feels much safer to me than Ocean City does. St. Maarten feels a bit safer. Cozumel feels about the same in terms of safety. St. Thomas feels a bit less safe. Only Jamaica feels significantly less safe to me.

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by bus man

I've been to five different Caribbean islands. I don't have crime stats in front of me, but I know how I feel when I'm at somewhere. Grand Cayman Island feels much safer to me than Ocean City does. St. Maarten feels a bit safer. Cozumel feels about the same in terms of safety. St. Thomas feels a bit less safe. Only Jamaica feels significantly less safe to me.

I think once a place becomes familiar, you feel safer. For example, I feel less safe in Miami, Myrtle Beach or Atlantic City than I do in Ocean City.

I think if you apply the same due diligence everywhere you go, you'll be fine. People love to travel all over the world. I'm pretty sure crime stats aren't something they take into account when booking a trip to NYC, LA, Paris, Hawaii, Orlando, New Orleans, or any other popular destination. The list usually begins with price, accommodations, and things to do. I think crime is way down on most people's list.

I recently visited Austin, TX for the first time and went to a park where people had recently busted out everyone's windows to steal for drugs. A guy walked up to us and warned us about it. We also stayed at a hotel a few blocks from a homeless camp the Four Seasons was even closer to the camp. That didn't deter us from enjoying Austin.

[marlinfshr]

Ocean City is still a very safe place. The Caribbean on the other hand is mostly a s#!t hole in the parts most people visit.

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by BigCityDreamer

I'd say you got a good rate. I usually find that the nicest places to stay in Ocean City are north of the boardwalk.

Calm, peaceful and less crowded. Almost dreamlike. But I don't want to let to many people in on this secret, for obvious reasons.

My youngest son went over Monday evening (Labor Day). Stayed at the Carousel that night and Tuesday night. Was charged $120/night. The Holiday Inn down at 17th(?) was $378/night.

[skeddy]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

My youngest son went over Monday evening (Labor Day). Stayed at the Carousel that night and Tuesday night. Was charged $120/night. The Holiday Inn down at 17th(?) was $378/night.

Bobby Baker would be gyrating in his grave.

[Noble Savage]

Originally Posted by marlinfshr

Thats a totally different world for me. Ocean City to me is the Rt 90 bridge south.

Exact opposite for me, I seldom find a reason to go south of the Rt 90 bridge. I like North OC.

[DelawareLiz]

Husband and I really enjoy OCMD in the off season. We stroll the boardwalk, eat boardwalk food, attend many events and I run races there. We avoid the boardwalk from Memorial Day through Labor Day for various reasons (many stated in this thread), but we will still dine at a couple of the buffets or visit west OC for dining or shopping during the summer.

However, we absolutely love the area down near Assateague (considered Berlin) which is much more rural and laid back. Great new brewery down that way too. We like it so much in that area that we have looked at lots for sale and have not ruled it out as a possible area to retire.