Tell me about Baltimore city MD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK ok it sounds like outside of the obvious, taxes are the next biggest issue? - Op

I would say crime, taxes, school issues are the biggest that my friends who remain in the city would cite. Although truly, there are so many amazing communities in the city it’s hard to make a blanket statement. I am the fed hill poster. I would check fed hill, canton, Hamden (for row homes- Hamden has a more hipster vibe whereas fed and canton are all yuppies) and Roland park (for single family homes). Roland park is for sure the more “premier” neighborhood where people graduate to when they leave their fed hill rowhouse in favor of a yard. Check a house you like on Zillow and get estimates monthly payments including tax though- you will be shocked!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My elderly mom downsized to a rowhouse near the stadiums about a decade ago. She has not experienced any crime. Her block is well lit and 90% homeowners. The biggest issue is drunk and rowdy sports fans or concert goers who try to park on the block. Otherwise, it is friendly and safe. Her pet peeve is litter. I wish there was a decent grocery store in walking distance, but that is a moot point right now.

I’m the fed hill poster and my parents downsized to a fed hill rowhouse! neither they or I have personally experienced any crime other than car windows or stolen amazon packages. It’s more what we hear happening to others. But it’s true- none of the violent stuff has happened to us. So maybe it’s less prevalent than it feels like.

[Anonymous]

^^ thank you.
I visited the little Italy area and that area was really nice. Cobblestone roads were so nice. Drove down to Target — I believe that was canton and that also seemed safe and sound.

No other experience elsewhere. I got a very cool vibe and I just want to make sure that wasn’t just wanderlust.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^ thank you.
I visited the little Italy area and that area was really nice. Cobblestone roads were so nice. Drove down to Target — I believe that was canton and that also seemed safe and sound.

No other experience elsewhere. I got a very cool vibe and I just want to make sure that wasn’t just wanderlust.

I still love Baltimore and agree jt has a very cool vibe. I miss it every day out here in the county! But we just couldn’t stay.

[Anonymous]

I lived in Fells Point for over 15 years - and loved it. I loved the architecture, the markets, The sense of neighborhood-iness, the restaurants and food....and I really miss living there. What I miss the most is living in a place where people “speak”. DC used to be like that when I was growing up, some areas of NYC were like that when I lived there, and some areas of Baltimore still are.

African American female, worked in East Baltimore for JHH community based program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I lived in Fells Point for over 15 years - and loved it. I loved the architecture, the markets, The sense of neighborhood-iness, the restaurants and food....and I really miss living there. What I miss the most is living in a place where people “speak”. DC used to be like that when I was growing up, some areas of NYC were like that when I lived there, and some areas of Baltimore still are.

African American female, worked in East Baltimore for JHH community based program.

Thank you for this and I appreciate your note on neighborliness. Maybe deep down that’s what I feel I am missing here inDC and couldn’t put my finger on it. You’re no longer in Fells Point but you’d definitely recommend is what I gather?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^ thank you.
I visited the little Italy area and that area was really nice. Cobblestone roads were so nice. Drove down to Target — I believe that was canton and that also seemed safe and sound.

No other experience elsewhere. I got a very cool vibe and I just want to make sure that wasn’t just wanderlust.

I still love Baltimore and agree jt has a very cool vibe. I miss it every day out here in the county! But we just couldn’t stay.

that’s totally ok. I understand. - op

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two places you won’t find much of in this forum....Baltimore and Pg County. It’s beneath them.

Plenty of posts about PG, esp the Rt 1 corridor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I lived in Fells Point for over 15 years - and loved it. I loved the architecture, the markets, The sense of neighborhood-iness, the restaurants and food....and I really miss living there. What I miss the most is living in a place where people “speak”. DC used to be like that when I was growing up, some areas of NYC were like that when I lived there, and some areas of Baltimore still are.

African American female, worked in East Baltimore for JHH community based program.

Thank you for this and I appreciate your note on neighborliness. Maybe deep down that’s what I feel I am missing here inDC and couldn’t put my finger on it. You’re no longer in Fells Point but you’d definitely recommend is what I gather?

I would definitely recommend it. I loved living in Fells Point -- although it's a bit more gentrified now than it was when I lived there, I'd still live there in a heartbeat. I'd also live in Canton. I had friends who were very happy living in Federal Hill and Bolton Hill, and others who wanted a different type of lifestyle who lived in Roland Park, Mt. Washington and Lauraville. Baltimore has neighborhoods that range from Cross Keys -- to the beautiful restored mill town of Dickeyville.

In Baltimore there really is a sense of neighborliness. There's a much slower pace sometimes, and I've learned to appreciate that. I loved shopping at neighborhood businesses-- which grew to include a comfortable familiarity that's hard to find in DC today. I think there's still a Southern-ness and a blue collar-ness to Baltimore that I truly -- and surprisingly -- grew to love. It's possible to shop at a Polish market where they speak Polish with many of the customers -- and say things like; " Are you SURE you want to buy that much?" And: "Here, have a taste, see which one you want." I lived in a waterfront neighborhood, and what I miss the most is going to sleep to the sounds of train whistles and boat horns, and waking up to the sounds of water birds. Like any place, it's about fit. And Baltimore neighborhoods are so very different from each other that, for me, it's about picking the right neighborhood for yourself over an above deciding whether or not you'd like to live in the city.

I'll check back, and if there are any specific questions you have that you think I could answer, I'd be happy to try.

[Anonymous]

Also, Baltimore can be a very racially and economically segregated city in some ways. As an African American female, I loved living in Fells Point but would have not felt at all at home in Hamden. Before you move, spend some time in the neighborhoods you're considering and get your own feel for them.

[Anonymous]

Op a post DOES exist about Baltimore-albeit a couple with kids and surrounding issues with schools and crime- incessant crime. The thread goes from 2014 but updates from last year and it hasn’t changed https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/120/297290.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, Baltimore can be a very racially and economically segregated city in some ways. As an African American female, I loved living in Fells Point but would have not felt at all at home in Hamden. Before you move, spend some time in the neighborhoods you're considering and get your own feel for them.

Oh that’s sad-
I found a move to Baltimore blog and was considering Federal Hill, Bolton Hill and the area by union park?( not sure I’m getting this right).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, Baltimore can be a very racially and economically segregated city in some ways. As an African American female, I loved living in Fells Point but would have not felt at all at home in Hamden. Before you move, spend some time in the neighborhoods you're considering and get your own feel for them.

Oh that’s sad-
I found a move to Baltimore blog and was considering Federal Hill, Bolton Hill and the area by union park?( not sure I’m getting this right).

For example:https://www.redfin.com/MD/Baltimore/1508-W-Pratt-St-21223/home/10965435?utm_source=ios_share&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=copy_link&utm_nooverride=1&utm_content=link

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, Baltimore can be a very racially and economically segregated city in some ways. As an African American female, I loved living in Fells Point but would have not felt at all at home in Hamden. Before you move, spend some time in the neighborhoods you're considering and get your own feel for them

what areas feel more inclusive?- op

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, Baltimore can be a very racially and economically segregated city in some ways. As an African American female, I loved living in Fells Point but would have not felt at all at home in Hamden. Before you move, spend some time in the neighborhoods you're considering and get your own feel for them

what areas feel more inclusive?- op

I’m the PP - and, for me, Fells Point was a good fit. It was a quirky, accepting neighborhood, although I was definitely in the minority as an African American woman, I felt extremely comfortable living there. Because I don’t live there now, and because my needs and comfort level may differ from the OP’s, I can only say that anyone who wants to live there should spend time in the neighborhoods that interest them, talk to a few people that live there, and ask themselves if it feels like a good potential home.

I would start with Fells Point, Canton, Harbor East, Federal Hill and Bolton Hill, but this is dated and based on areas that I’m familiar with. Someone who lived on the West Side, or who lives there now might have a completely different list. Someone with kids might be looking for a completely different set of priorities.