I loved living in Baltimore. I was there through college and had a blast. Lived right across from the Peabody Institute...down the street from the "ghetto" and around the corner from the city jail. I lived in a VERY safe and VERY nice apartment. And LOVED IT!! Mostly because it was within walking distance from the inner harbor, the stadiums, and of course Fells...the best for a college student!

 

Such a strong opinion for someone who has apparently never actually ventured into a real Baltimore neighborhood. A major chunk of the city is green and lush with beautiful neighborhoods designed by Frederick Law Olmsted himself and his protegees. As someone who actually lives here, I never spend time in the Inner Harbor (or as locals call it, the Inner Horrible) -- which is pretty much THE destination for folks who may not have a Hooters or a California Pizza Kitchen in their own home town. I would agree that Pimlico isn't exactly situated in the heart of heaven, but it is, you know, a race track. Thankfully our city fathers (and mothers) didn't have the foresight to build a twenty lane highway, or even an airport -- smack in the middle of our nicest neighborhoods!

I will say that Old Town Alexandria is very nice except for the traffic and the fact that it is in Virginia!

 

LOL my dad grew up in bmore i know alllll about it.

 

btw.. Krut's Kondo is for sale in Capitol Hill includes offstreet parking. Dog and MINI does not convey.

 

the monthly payment is more than twice what i pay here! we better hang on, cus it could get rough for alittle while.

but good news...

talked with the regional manager today and found out that if i can transfer, the company will pay for my relocation. he said they actually do a really good job of taking care of you and your personal situation and he would be the one to know after all his traveling, company car and company expense account!

-shawn

 

That is good news! Come on this way! We can use another Cult..Club member

 

I have lived in northern Baltimore county for the last 24 years but work every day in the city. I lived in the city for 1.5 years when I moved here in 1983. The reason I moved was my wife was robbed at knifepoint and we had 7 cars stolen from our lot in that time. We lived in a loft apartment near the Inner Harbor which at that time was only 3 years old, so the area was supposed to be well protected.

Except for that time, I personally have never been physically hassled, but I know many who have in the downtown area. The main problem is cars being broken into and ALWAYS being hit up on the streets for money. This is downtown. The Federal Hill area is just south of the Inner Harbor and is nice but crime is filtering its way there too. Most of the murders (on pace for over 300) is drug crime, black on black, but not always. Robberies can sometimes turn violent and of course there is alway the cross-fire incidents.

Outside the downtown are there are many nice communities which for the most part are still crime free. If you like to live near downtown and aren't rich, you might try the Roger's Forge area. It's 10 minutes from downtown and very safe, but very few garages. Towson, Timonium, are also nice. South of the city in Anne Arundel Co or west in Carroll County are nice and you get more for your dollar, but the commute into the city during rush hour is a problem.

Stay tuned because thanks to the wonderful state gov that never met a dollar it can't spend, we are in a 1.5-2 billion dollar hole which they plan to tax their way out of, (of course not by cutting any spending, but don't get me started). The sales tax is going up by 20%, they are talking of raising fees on registering cars and other "fees" to tax their way out of the mess they got us into. Also the closing costs on homes is one of the highest in the country.

I have lived in 5 states in my working career, here the longest and have met many wonderful people in Maryland, but most now are scared, rightly or wrongly, of being a crime victim. Which is no way to live. My wife and I have land in MT which we will retire to within 5 years, so what that says is to us Maryland is no place to retire in, but that's us.

Do your homework ask around and make your choice. I have lived in much better areas, and only one worse. However, if you find a neighborhood you like, the people are usually friendly. If you go downtown, don't leave anything in site in your car, park smartly in a lit area and you more than likely will be fine. You will learn quickly which areas to stay out of. Oh, and one other thing (this coming from a skier) you'll get a good laugh anytime they are calling for snow. Trust me, you'll never see more panic over snow in your life. They cancel school when the forcast calls for it (LOL), and several times it never came and it was sunny.

Hope this helps and remember these are just my views, but having worked for the newspaper for all of my time here, I think I have a pretty realistic view. I'm sure others will disagree, but it all stems from each person's experience.

Gene

 

Maybe this thread is a bit old, but darnit, I wanted to add my two cents!

The main thing I would suggest for anyone moving to Maryland is live as close to work as possible. Or find out if your job will let you telecommute.

Maryland traffic in general is horrible. Maryland traffic is, in fact, the very reason I own a MINI. I reasoned that if I'm going to have to put up with this ****, I'm going to have to have a car that's fun enough to attempt to distract me from the miserable nature of my commute (any commute).

Most of the highways and interstates run on the razor's edge of smooth flow. If any lane anywhere in the entire I-495/270/95 system is closed for any reason, for any length of time, at any point, traffic will immediately go to hell for miles in every direction. I swear a helicoptor view of Maryland on some days must just reveal a state-wide gridlock. Even the back roads are crowded because it's crowded with the people trying to avoid the main roads.

So I would suggest accepting a smaller accomodation closer to your job than a larger, nicer place further away, because the commute will probably drive you insane otherwise.

 

Well stated, Strife... I'll add that it pretty much applies to the entire DC area, including Northern Virginia.

 

I've lived in Maryland for almost 12 years now. When we moved here it was a refreshing change from New Jersey where I had lived for the previous 33 years. As time goes on, population and traffic have increased and I find myself thinking that like New Jersey, Maryland is a nice place to be from, but not the place I want to stay. I'm hoping my next move will be to quieter surroundings.

 

Too true. I work for the govt (who doesn't in this area?) and they wanted me to work in the main office in Arlington. I'd have to either take MARC and my commute+work would be a 12 hour day or I'd have to deal with traffic on 66... not!! So I stay out here in the middle of nowhere.