Moving to Baltimore

[Anonymous]

Woodbrook doesn't seem like the right neighborhood for this family, but it's a cool house. My vote is for Roland park. They can join the Roland park club for the pool and have their choice of schools.

If the taxes are annoying, Stoneleigh is amazing. Pool, school (public if you want, but lots go to private) lots of hopkins families. Though agree, inventory is a problem now. Reach out to Gans realty if you want an inside scoop on Stoneleigh properties. He bought Kellie langley's business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Woodbrook doesn't seem like the right neighborhood for this family, but it's a cool house. My vote is for Roland park. They can join the Roland park club for the pool and have their choice of schools.

If the taxes are annoying, Stoneleigh is amazing. Pool, school (public if you want, but lots go to private) lots of hopkins families. Though agree, inventory is a problem now. Reach out to Gans realty if you want an inside scoop on Stoneleigh properties. He bought Kellie langley's business.

Agree re Stoneleigh, the only issue is there is rarely inventory and when there is, it moves very fast if at all decent. A plugged in realtor will be key.

[Anonymous]

Really depends on if you have kids and if you want public/privatr.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really depends on if you have kids and if you want public/privatr.

OP addressed both points very clearly in her initial post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This just went under contract but I know this neighborhood well and it’s a real hidden gem - quiet, safe, and super convenient to everything. https://www.redfin.com/MD/Baltimore/3411-Woodberry-Ave-21211/home/12547012

10 min to Hopkins, downtown, Roland Park schools, etc. 5 min from a grocery.

The public elementary (Medfield Heights) is decent, but for that price you don’t have to sweat one of the many excellent private schools in RP. Although do figure in the eye watering taxes.

There is not a true grocery store within 5 minutes of this house, just a Mom’s organic. Also no yard and in the middle of a townhome community. Great location for empty nesters looking to downside.

Huh? The Giant is closer than Mom’s.

[Anonymous]

OP, the biggest difference in real estate (DC to Baltimore and Baltimore city vs county) is taxes. City taxes are really, really high.

In your shoes (and with time to shop given that you already own a house in DC and some level of commute for some time is possible), I'd target Stoneleigh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, the biggest difference in real estate (DC to Baltimore and Baltimore city vs county) is taxes. City taxes are really, really high.

In your shoes (and with time to shop given that you already own a house in DC and some level of commute for some time is possible), I'd target Stoneleigh.

I’d target Roland Park /Homeland given that private school is in the plan. Nothing beats being in walking distance of school, she can use RP public, cathedral, Friends, BL or the trischools and be within walking distance of all. Also can walk to several preschools - Grace Methodist, Redeemer and Saint David’s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, the biggest difference in real estate (DC to Baltimore and Baltimore city vs county) is taxes. City taxes are really, really high.

In your shoes (and with time to shop given that you already own a house in DC and some level of commute for some time is possible), I'd target Stoneleigh.

I’d target Roland Park /Homeland given that private school is in the plan. Nothing beats being in walking distance of school, she can use RP public, cathedral, Friends, BL or the trischools and be within walking distance of all. Also can walk to several preschools - Grace Methodist, Redeemer and Saint David’s.

[Anonymous]

I really like Stoneleigh but based on your specifications, Roland Park really seems like the answer. Just do the math on the taxes because over time they might eat up the DC price benefit you’ll realize buying in Baltimore

Homeland is very nice too, just seems like a little less of what you want in every regard compared to Roland Park

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind with respect to houses, there generally is an offsetting price difference in the city due to taxes,i.e. your monthly costs of owning, including mortgage, remain roughly equal due to lower prices per square foot. That has gone away a bit as there are far more updated housing in the city and more people valuing walk ability and a shorter commute than a decade or so ago, but still exists to some extent.

The honest answer is that for all the North Baltimore neighborhoods, including close in county, like Towson and Stoneleigh, there is very high level of demand for well priced properties. Most will sell within a week of listing. If I were op I would connect with a realtor and start touring neighborhoods now. Spring market starts in mid January.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind with respect to houses, there generally is an offsetting price difference in the city due to taxes,i.e. your monthly costs of owning, including mortgage, remain roughly equal due to lower prices per square foot. That has gone away a bit as there are far more updated housing in the city and more people valuing walk ability and a shorter commute than a decade or so ago, but still exists to some extent.

The honest answer is that for all the North Baltimore neighborhoods, including close in county, like Towson and Stoneleigh, there is very high level of demand for well priced properties. Most will sell within a week of listing. If I were op I would connect with a realtor and start touring neighborhoods now. Spring market starts in mid January.

Roughly equal to the county.

[Anonymous]

Avoid Baltimore City. Looks north in Baltimore County and specially the nice areas of Towson. Easy drive south to JHU.

West Towson and Ruxton.

For community pools and really nice sense of community with young families and a great public elementary school (Stoneleigh), look at the Stoneleigh community and Wiltondale!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind with respect to houses, there generally is an offsetting price difference in the city due to taxes,i.e. your monthly costs of owning, including mortgage, remain roughly equal due to lower prices per square foot. That has gone away a bit as there are far more updated housing in the city and more people valuing walk ability and a shorter commute than a decade or so ago, but still exists to some extent.

The honest answer is that for all the North Baltimore neighborhoods, including close in county, like Towson and Stoneleigh, there is very high level of demand for well priced properties. Most will sell within a week of listing. If I were op I would connect with a realtor and start touring neighborhoods now. Spring market starts in mid January.

Roughly equal to the county.

Not exactly. I will take a higher mortgage and interest expense (which is fully tax deductible) in a safer area with better schhols and lower crime - than a cheaper house in Baltimore City with worse schools, more crime and very high property taxes. And property taxes are not fully tax deductible as they are subject to the SALT limitations/guidelines.

Regardless - you get what you pay for. Buy in the best public school district and it will be far easier to sell than a house in Balt. City.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind with respect to houses, there generally is an offsetting price difference in the city due to taxes,i.e. your monthly costs of owning, including mortgage, remain roughly equal due to lower prices per square foot. That has gone away a bit as there are far more updated housing in the city and more people valuing walk ability and a shorter commute than a decade or so ago, but still exists to some extent.

The honest answer is that for all the North Baltimore neighborhoods, including close in county, like Towson and Stoneleigh, there is very high level of demand for well priced properties. Most will sell within a week of listing. If I were op I would connect with a realtor and start touring neighborhoods now. Spring market starts in mid January.

Roughly equal to the county.

Not exactly. I will take a higher mortgage and interest expense (which is fully tax deductible) in a safer area with better schhols and lower crime - than a cheaper house in Baltimore City with worse schools, more crime and very high property taxes. And property taxes are not fully tax deductible as they are subject to the SALT limitations/guidelines.

Regardless - you get what you pay for. Buy in the best public school district and it will be far easier to sell than a house in Balt. City.

Well, it does matter where in the county you bought. For the areas that have been discussed, it absolutely is often the case. You may live further out, or in a less popular neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind with respect to houses, there generally is an offsetting price difference in the city due to taxes,i.e. your monthly costs of owning, including mortgage, remain roughly equal due to lower prices per square foot. That has gone away a bit as there are far more updated housing in the city and more people valuing walk ability and a shorter commute than a decade or so ago, but still exists to some extent.

The honest answer is that for all the North Baltimore neighborhoods, including close in county, like Towson and Stoneleigh, there is very high level of demand for well priced properties. Most will sell within a week of listing. If I were op I would connect with a realtor and start touring neighborhoods now. Spring market starts in mid January.

Roughly equal to the county.

Not exactly. I will take a higher mortgage and interest expense (which is fully tax deductible) in a safer area with better schhols and lower crime - than a cheaper house in Baltimore City with worse schools, more crime and very high property taxes. And property taxes are not fully tax deductible as they are subject to the SALT limitations/guidelines.

Regardless - you get what you pay for. Buy in the best public school district and it will be far easier to sell than a house in Balt. City.

I sold a house in Lutherville in the desirable Falls Road area, a few years ago, and bought in Roland Park. Both houses were roughly the same price at the time, but the Roland Park house has appreciated far more. It may be hard to sell a house on West Baltimore but there is high demand for the areas served by Roland Park public and Mt. Washington public.