divinity_jones
New member
Posts: 16
No, not *that* kind of doctor..
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« on: January 15, 2007, 04:59:42 PM » |
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I have an offer in Baltimore. I'm a country girl. I've been reading scary things about Baltimore neighborhoods (ie some are OK but don't walk even 1 block away from them, assume your car will be broken into, etc.).
Anyone here live in Baltimore? Any suggestions on good SAFE neighborhoods? General quality of life?
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untenured
On far too many committees
Member-Moderator
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 5,625
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« Reply #1 on: January 15, 2007, 05:13:26 PM » |
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You are among the Pure and Truthful, however small their Number.
My goodness, that was an exceptionally good analysis of the forum. |
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lowercase
Junior member
Posts: 78
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« Reply #2 on: January 15, 2007, 05:18:42 PM » |
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Baltimore is a city and like any city, has crime. it also has Culture. and a new Mayor! an African American woman. Baltimore has quirks but it is close to Philly, DC and NYC.
You can live slightly outside the city limits in the County. You can live in Charles Village pretty safely. Near Hopkins.
I lived in a 'marginal' neighborhood and had no troubles. Most crime is between criminals.
I love Baltimore! Charm City!
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eugenides
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« Reply #3 on: January 15, 2007, 07:26:21 PM » |
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I find Baltimore very charming.
The harbour is very romantic (I mean it).
The crab cakes are superb (well I sound like a tourist).
But I notice there is a Whole Food Supermarket.
(at least one)
Near Whole Food, there is an area kind of hippy, artsy.
I drove between downtown Baltimore and Airport,
found the traffic smooth enough.
The downtown, different from the harbour area,
looks historic.
---------------
Regarding to danger:
It might be similar to most other cities in the US.
You might notice that we forumites here are more concerned if Connecticut is dangerous!
Baltimore might be similarly safe, or similarly dangerous, compared with Connecticut...
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creationrebel
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« Reply #4 on: January 15, 2007, 07:45:51 PM » |
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I like that neighborhood where the 8x10 Club is (do a google search for the club to find out where, exactly, in the city it is). The Inner Harbor area is nice (if touristy as hell); and as someone else mentioned great crab cakes abound (but go for the big buckets of seasoned crabs instead -- messy and incredibly tasty). I wouldn't mind living there, especially as its proximity to DC leaves you even more options for cultural activities. There are, however, loads of very sketchy areas. In fact, lots of things people were saying in another thread about how dangerous New Haven is actually seem more applicable to Baltimore. But that could just be because I don't know the city very well.
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untenured
On far too many committees
Member-Moderator
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 5,625
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« Reply #5 on: January 15, 2007, 08:02:45 PM » |
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I've experienced both. New Haven appears to be a playground compared to Baltimore.
The inner harbor is a peach though.
Untenured
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You are among the Pure and Truthful, however small their Number.
My goodness, that was an exceptionally good analysis of the forum. |
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prytania3
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« Reply #6 on: January 15, 2007, 08:06:27 PM » |
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I've experienced both. New Haven appears to be a playground compared to Baltimore.
The inner harbor is a peach though.
Untenured
I made out on the green in New Haven over the weekend. No problem. Here is the link to the safest and most dangerous cities (notice NYC does not make the hit parade): http://www.morganquitno.com/cit07pop.htm#25 |
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Clowns, I tell you. Clowns.
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gilly
New member
Posts: 21
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« Reply #7 on: January 15, 2007, 08:08:08 PM » |
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I grew up in Baltimore, and LOVE my hometown.
There are sketchy areas in Baltimore (Cherry Hill, Brooklyn, Curtis Bay, among others). I would be afraid to walk through Cherry Hill (right across from Harbour Hospital), but not afraid to walk through Brooklyn or Curtis Bay . . . because I would obviously stick out in one, and could blend into the others. (One of the things that I dislike about Baltimore is that many neighborhoods are segregated by race.) I have never been a victim of crime in Baltimore, but know many friends who have.
Federal Hill is the neighborhood that the 8X10 club is in . . . and it is a very nice neighborhood. In fact, I think its sweet that the boundaries of 'Federal Hill' are expanding, in the real estate ads. Many areas of south Baltimore, previously sketchy, are now gentrified 'Federal Hill'.
Canton is the cool neighborhood to live in these days . . . lots of small bars and restaurants, and a very young crowd. Charles Village is also fun with lots of artsy bars, cafes and bookstores. Highlandtown is affordable, with many "old-timers" (so, if you're young, not much of a cool, urban vibe). Patterson Park is the neighborhood that locals are banking on as being the next 'up and coming' neighborhood. Lots of flips going on there.
What do I love about Baltimore? $0.05 beer at Kisslings (they did this as recent as 5 years ago), crabcakes, coddies (fish cakes), Camden Yards, Brewers Art, the 8X10 club, Cross Street market, Little Italy (Vellegio's! and Vaccaro's!), the gorgeous brick work in the rowhouses . . rooftop deck parties, and the accent, hon! The people are genuinely nice and friendly. When I still lived in Baltimore, my car broke down ALL the time. On all occassions (more than 10), a stranger stopped to help me.
And, if you're that worried about crime . . . live in the 'burbs. Its an easy commute. Look at Ellicott City for a cool, Baltimore County burb.
Good luck.
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spirosdarlotts
Not even worthy of being a real
Member
Posts: 120
Live posting from my Commodore 64.
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« Reply #8 on: January 15, 2007, 08:13:21 PM » |
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I have an offer in Baltimore. I'm a country girl. I've been reading scary things about Baltimore neighborhoods (ie some are OK but don't walk even 1 block away from them, assume your car will be broken into, etc.).
Anyone here live in Baltimore? Any suggestions on good SAFE neighborhoods? General quality of life?
I lived in Balto for a number of years, and for a country girl it will be a healthy change of life. But, the good news is that there are tremendous and easily-accessed burbs to the north, west and south. Columbia is where a lot of folks end up, but north is cheaper. Baltimore has a lot to offer as a city, but if you're worried about getting along in a much different sort of world, you can dip your toe in occasionally from the outskirts. |
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"See that? That's Cassiopeia. That's my girlfriend."
- Val Kilmer in "Spartan"
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ptprof
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« Reply #9 on: January 15, 2007, 11:55:43 PM » |
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I've experienced both. New Haven appears to be a playground compared to Baltimore.
The inner harbor is a peach though.
Untenured
I made out on the green in New Haven over the weekend. No problem. Here is the link to the safest and most dangerous cities (notice NYC does not make the hit parade): http://www.morganquitno.com/cit07pop.htm#25You know on that link that Baltimore is listed as the second most dangerous city with a population over 500,000. |
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prytania3
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« Reply #10 on: January 15, 2007, 11:59:30 PM » |
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I've experienced both. New Haven appears to be a playground compared to Baltimore.
The inner harbor is a peach though.
Untenured
I made out on the green in New Haven over the weekend. No problem. Here is the link to the safest and most dangerous cities (notice NYC does not make the hit parade): http://www.morganquitno.com/cit07pop.htm#25You know on that link that Baltimore is listed as the second most dangerous city with a population over 500,000. And NYC is the fourth safest. |
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Clowns, I tell you. Clowns.
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henri
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« Reply #11 on: January 16, 2007, 03:53:33 AM » |
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Take a look at filmmaker John Waters' "A Dirty Shame." Besides being outrageously funny the film operates as a sort of love-letter to Baltimore.
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henri
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« Reply #12 on: January 16, 2007, 04:20:42 AM » |
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Sorry, meant "This Filthy World."
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cardamom
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« Reply #13 on: January 16, 2007, 09:04:19 AM » |
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I lived in Baltimore for several years and am a big fan. I did not have extensive urban living experience in the U.S. prior to moving to Baltimore, but I managed just fine. Baltimore is very much a city of neighborhoods and I think this makes it more accessible and less daunting for urban newbies.
Crime is an issue. Although the highest crime rates are in neighborhoods that you are unlikely to live in, this doesn't mean you won't need to take precautions. The degree of precaution you'll need to take will of course depend on where you end up living. Some neighborhoods can be small and tightly packed, so fairly posh places can abut areas with problems. Just be aware of where you are, take common sense measures to protect yourself, and you'll likely be fine.
Some additional neighborhoods to consider include Hampden (funky, not too expensive, but very white), Roland Park (if you can afford it), and Mt. Washington (also can be pricey, if you live near "downtown" you can walk to shops). The area around Belvedere Square has improved greatly and the nearby neighborhoods of Cedarcroft and Lake-Evesham are nice. Also worth considering are Ednor Gardens, Lauraville, and parts of Hamilton.
If you'd like more details, please feel free to message me. I'm happy to serve as a remote local guide.
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nailman
Longwinded
Senior member
Posts: 333
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« Reply #14 on: January 16, 2007, 12:48:07 PM » |
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I think the advice is to approach it like any other big city. You figure out where the bad areas are and don't go there, and keep your wits about yourself the rest of the time.
My brother lived there for a few months, having lived in small towns his whole life. He was only going to be there a short time for an internship, so rented a place from a previous intern at his same job without seeing it first. This is a no-no for a big city: It was in a super shady area of town. He is a big guy (6'4") but was always super-paranoid that he was going to be mugged or shot while going between his place and his car. He wasn't, although he did say once or twice he ducked down behind his car when he saw some shady folks crusing around looking like they might start shooting.
The other thing to note is that it takes only a block or two to go from "safe" to super shady (as in most big cities) so you want to have some idea where you're going, especially when driving after dark, or when walking.
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