Those that have moved from DC to Baltimore...

[Anonymous]

OP, you'd do better to post this query in the off-topic forum. People in the DC real estate forum may be more invested in staying in the area.

[Anonymous]

Live in MoCo or PG and commute to Baltimore. It's an easy trip 97% of the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Loyola Blakefield is most certainly in the 25k range, if not more.

And in Baltimore, public transportation really isn't an option within the city. The bus options aren't the same as the bus in D.C., and the light rail is nothing near the metro.

Of course, all of these things can be dealt with, but the OP needs to be aware and accept it if she/he decides to move to Baltimore.

Loyola Blakefield is $17,660. A chunk of change, no doubt, but not $25k.

http://loyolablakefield.org/page.aspx?pid=476

there are always additional expenses on top of the quoted tuition and fees.

Not to split hairs, but $7,000 worth of additional expenses?

For high school, yes. If your kid is involved in any extra-curricular activity, especially sports, expect a lot of additional expenses.

And it's a Catholic school, so expect a TON of donation requests.

A friend of mine sent her child to a Baltimore area Catholic elementary school, and she was SHOCKED at how much she had to pay above and beyond their quoted tuition. That was elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Live in MoCo or PG and commute to Baltimore. It's an easy trip 97% of the time.

The OP isn't talking about moving FOR THE JOB. The OP and spouse already have jobs in the DC area. The OP is talking about taking a different job in Baltimore in order to move there for a cheaper COL than the DC area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you'd do better to post this query in the off-topic forum. People in the DC real estate forum may be more invested in staying in the area.

I don't think that's necessarily true.

I do think that most people on this website aren't as familiar with Baltimore, so the OP would actually be better posting the question on another forum, perhaps city-data.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone. I really appreciate all of the threads and they've given me a ton to consider. Only one of us has a job offer and we would not move unless both did, so we'll see how that pans out. This has also made me realize that we'll need several more trips there to check out specific neighborhoods more closely before we consider moving. We planned to do this anyway, but reading your posts has made me realize I was probably idealizing it a bit. Thanks again to all for all of the very helpful info!

The job thing is key, and it's tough in Baltimore. There are far fewer white collar jobs (except for medicine). And I think also that the jobs that are available pay a lot less than in the DC area. And while that may seem okay because of a cheaper COL, sometimes it doesn't all shake out to be much better.

I lived in Baltimore and moved to DC for work. I like Baltimore, despite some very real flaws, but the cheaper COL isn't cheap enough to make up for the limited job opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Live in MoCo or PG and commute to Baltimore. It's an easy trip 97% of the time.

The OP isn't talking about moving FOR THE JOB. The OP and spouse already have jobs in the DC area. The OP is talking about taking a different job in Baltimore in order to move there for a cheaper COL than the DC area.

Yup, this is true (op here.) only one of us has a job offer in Baltimore, so we're definitely going to do more researching and job searching for the other spouse before we make a move. Thanks for all the advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you saying that you already have a job?

I'm from Baltimore. And I can tell you firmly that the job market in Baltimore is not good *unless* you are in the medical field (Hopkins). Otherwise, it's a crapshoot.

If you have a job offer there, though, then it's not a bad idea. But just be sure it's a solid offer, because if you were to get laid off, you'd probably have to move back toward DC to get a decent white collar job.

If you're definition of a safe neighborhood is limited to Bethesda/N. Arlington, then you probably will not like Baltimore.

You see, in Baltimore, the wealthy upscale neighborhoods are ALL in close proximity to the really bad areas. It's not like the D.C. area, where the wealthier/upscale sections are like little enclaves all to themselves.

Roland Park (not Roland Hill), for example, arguably one of the wealthiest, most upscale sections of the city, is near some very undesirable sections that you have to drive through to get to Roland Park. That's why there is still a lot of crime even in the good neighborhoods in Baltimore -- because they're sort of interwoven with the bad neighborhoods.

And Roland Park is not very walkable. It's on the outskirts of Baltimore, bordering the suburbs.

I'm not saying that Baltimore is bad. I'm saying that even the fancier sections are not at all like Bethesda/N. Arlington. I suspect you'll be disappointed.

I would suggest that before you pick up and move, you spend a lot of time in Baltimore, at different times. Drive around.

Roland Park is nice, but you go a few blocks down York Road, and it's really rough. In order to go anywhere, you'll likely be driving through really rough areas.

I'm not saying that is necessarily bad. It's a unique feature of Baltimore -- really upscale one block and then vacant buildings one block over. Some people looking for a cheaper version of DC have been very disappointed when they moved to Baltimore.

And I can emphasize enough the job market. If the job offer is strong and with a stable company, great. But part of why I moved down to the DC area is because the job market was more robust down here. And the cheaper cost of living in Baltimore didn't make up for not being able to find a job.

I think as neighborhoods go, Roland Park and Guilford are a thousand times nicer. I understand that that is comparing apples to oranges since Bethesda is a city and Roland Park is a neighborhood. Taxes are super high. The elementary school in Roland Park is nice. Homeland and Tuscany-Canterbury are great as well.

[Anonymous]

I lived in Baltimore for many years. Grew up in Baltimore County. Moved to Baltimore City for graduate school and late 20s.

Reasons we moved to MOCO:

1. Jobs

2. Lower rates of crime (particularly violent crime)

3. More opportunities for children

We have thought about moving back to Baltimore for many of the reasons posted here (cheaper housing, somewhat cheaper schools). But, when we factored in property taxes in the City (some homes in Roland Park are $20k plus in taxes) and costly private school options it didn't make sense financially. And I hate to say that many of the beautiful areas discussed (Roland Park, Guilford, Mt. Washington, Bolton Hill) have big crime problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:HATED it - it's the most atrocious place I have ever lived. It's so ghetto - most of downtown is boarded up or not occupied. You cannot walk 1 block at night without being approached but drug addict bumbs. Some hodl onto signs screaming and spitting all over themselves. Others pass out standing up (heroin is my guess) and have sores all over them. Ugh! And every block smells like bum pee. A lot of the locals have no teeth and sit on their stoops talking about their trip to the wound center (for diabetic sores). I had to kick junkie hookers off my stoop in the morning and people used the area in front for their make shift flea markets every day selling black market rap CD's and one heroin addict who lived on our block would keep his spoon out my window and sleep in the storage behind the rowhouse and one time he burned the whole thing down. And I didn't even live in a bad neighborhood. I could go on, and on, and on. It's just atrocious. Trust me. Just move to someplace cheaper like silver spring and give your kids a chance.

So true!

Outside of North Baltimore and a few islands sprinkled lightly in the city. The city is very much ghetto, backwards, and extremely corrupt. It's like every local leader there is like Marion Barry. After working in social services there, the only time I step foot in Baltimore is to attend events at Johns Hopkins University. Baltimore is what DC was 20 years ago with the crime, drugs, and so many other social ills. Besides rural Mexico, Baltimore is the only place that I've feared my life. It's like a third world country in so many ways. You basically have to live like a soldier in combat by watching your back at all times to make sure that you don't become a victim of a crime. Another weird thing about Baltimore is that it also has some people who remind me of southern hicks. The mentality there is more southern than southern cities like Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Austin, Dallas, and Charlotte. Racism is rampant there from both whites and blacks. It's not a cosmopolitan or a diverse city at all. So, between the hoodrats, southern hillbillies, and the corrupt politicians I would avoid Baltimore at all cost. The things that I saw and experienced there through my old job were deplorable on so many levels. I kept wondering, "Is this really the United States of America or a third world country?" It's really different than Washington DC. I mean REALLY different!

To the OP,

Yes, Ruxton, Roland Park, and North Charles Street areas (North of Johns Hopkins University) have some of the best neighborhoods in the city. At least I will admit that Baltimore does have some great private schools.

If you do choose to relocate there, then choose areas outside of the city like Towson, Ellicott City, or North Baltimore County. These areas have great public schools. In Towson you have Towson High, in Ellicott City you have Centennial High, and in the Cockeysville/Hunt Valley area you have Dulaney High which are all great schools. The elementary and middle schools that feed into these high schools are also great. There are some really pretty communities in North Baltimore County. However, if you prefer a walkable area, then Towson may be your best option. You could walk to shops, restaurants, the mall, the library, and to some schools depending on where you reside in Towson. Keep in mind though that Towson does have spill over crime from Baltimore.

I'm not trying to scare you. I just want you to be aware that you can't be naive or laid back about the crimal elements in Baltimore. You must be alert at all times even in your own backyard. Please read The Baltimore Sun and spend a few weekends there to get a better feel of the city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:HATED it - it's the most atrocious place I have ever lived. It's so ghetto - most of downtown is boarded up or not occupied. You cannot walk 1 block at night without being approached but drug addict bumbs. Some hodl onto signs screaming and spitting all over themselves. Others pass out standing up (heroin is my guess) and have sores all over them. Ugh! And every block smells like bum pee. A lot of the locals have no teeth and sit on their stoops talking about their trip to the wound center (for diabetic sores). I had to kick junkie hookers off my stoop in the morning and people used the area in front for their make shift flea markets every day selling black market rap CD's and one heroin addict who lived on our block would keep his spoon out my window and sleep in the storage behind the rowhouse and one time he burned the whole thing down. And I didn't even live in a bad neighborhood. I could go on, and on, and on. It's just atrocious. Trust me. Just move to someplace cheaper like silver spring and give your kids a chance.

So true!

Outside of North Baltimore and a few islands sprinkled lightly in the city. The city is very much ghetto, backwards, and extremely corrupt. It's like every local leader there is like Marion Barry. After working in social services there, the only time I step foot in Baltimore is to attend events at Johns Hopkins University. Baltimore is what DC was 20 years ago with the crime, drugs, and so many other social ills. Besides rural Mexico, Baltimore is the only place that I've feared my life. It's like a third world country in so many ways. You basically have to live like a soldier in combat by watching your back at all times to make sure that you don't become a victim of a crime. Another weird thing about Baltimore is that it also has some people who remind me of southern hicks. The mentality there is more southern than southern cities like Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Austin, Dallas, and Charlotte. Racism is rampant there from both whites and blacks. It's not a cosmopolitan or a diverse city at all. So, between the hoodrats, southern hillbillies, and the corrupt politicians I would avoid Baltimore at all cost. The things that I saw and experienced there through my old job were deplorable on so many levels. I kept wondering, "Is this really the United States of America or a third world country?" It's really different than Washington DC. I mean REALLY different!

To the OP,

Yes, Ruxton, Roland Park, and North Charles Street areas (North of Johns Hopkins University) have some of the best neighborhoods in the city. At least I will admit that Baltimore does have some great private schools.

If you do choose to relocate there, then choose areas outside of the city like Towson, Ellicott City, or North Baltimore County. These areas have great public schools. In Towson you have Towson High, in Ellicott City you have Centennial High, and in the Cockeysville/Hunt Valley area you have Dulaney High which are all great schools. The elementary and middle schools that feed into these high schools are also great. There are some really pretty communities in North Baltimore County. However, if you prefer a walkable area, then Towson may be your best option. You could walk to shops, restaurants, the mall, the library, and to some schools depending on where you reside in Towson. Keep in mind though that Towson does have spill over crime from Baltimore.

I'm not trying to scare you. I just want you to be aware that you can't be naive or laid back about the crimal elements in Baltimore. You must be alert at all times even in your own backyard. Please read The Baltimore Sun and spend a few weekends there to get a better feel of the city.

Thank you! This is really helpful (as are all the other posts.) We will be thinking this through quite a bit...

[Anonymous]

Outside of North Baltimore and a few islands sprinkled lightly in the city. The city is very much ghetto, backwards, and extremely corrupt. It's like every local leader there is like Marion Barry. After working in social services there, the only time I step foot in Baltimore is to attend events at Johns Hopkins University. Baltimore is what DC was 20 years ago with the crime, drugs, and so many other social ills. Besides rural Mexico, Baltimore is the only place that I've feared my life. It's like a third world country in so many ways. You basically have to live like a soldier in combat by watching your back at all times to make sure that you don't become a victim of a crime. Another weird thing about Baltimore is that it also has some people who remind me of southern hicks. The mentality there is more southern than southern cities like Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Austin, Dallas, and Charlotte. Racism is rampant there from both whites and blacks. It's not a cosmopolitan or a diverse city at all. So, between the hoodrats, southern hillbillies, and the corrupt politicians I would avoid Baltimore at all cost. The things that I saw and experienced there through my old job were deplorable on so many levels. I kept wondering, "Is this really the United States of America or a third world country?" It's really different than Washington DC. I mean REALLY different!

My experience was very different.

I lived in Baltimore from 2001-2005, in both Washington Village/Pigtown and in Charles Village. I worked downtown for most of that time, although I later got a job in Towson. When I worked downtown, I commuted by bus or on foot. The worst crime I ever encuontered was having one of my car windows broken. Since nothing was taken, I can't tell whether it was a robbery attempt or someone hitting my car. I wold classify myself as fairly street smart, and I truly didn't have any problems. I found my neighbirs (especially in Pigtown) to be friendly and welcoming (In Charles Village most of my neigbors were students, and I didn't interact much with them). I'm not telling you to move to Baltimore or not move...but I highly recommend checking it out for yourself and assessing your own comfort level.

[Anonymous]

We are also pro-Baltimore. My DH had a job in Baltimore for nearly 10 years (and commuted from DC) before we moved up here. We should have done it earlier. For us, it has been a really good place to raise a family, everything is so much easier and cheaper, the traffic so much better, and the schools are terrific -- we use the private schools. We spent 15 years in DC and nearly all of our friends had the same graduate degree profile and worked on the Hill before turning to lobbying or they worked in government. Here are friends are much more diverse and in some cases, delightfully strange.

I have to concede though that many things said by the previous posters are true. We live just north of the city so crime isn't a problem for us but walking in downtown Baltimore is nothing like walking in DC. There are lots of people from Baltimore with family ties but with kids we found friends quickly (but it probably helped that DH had worked here for 10 years before we moved). Also, Roland Park, while I love it, is not like Arlington or Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

I see a lot of IT jobs advertised. I live in upper montgomery county and have even considered commuting there. The 70 provides nice rural living for those that do not like city

[Anonymous]

without kids, mt. vernon was awesome to live in. cool housing stock, great collection of restaurants all walkable, and my local pub was brewers art, walkable to the walters art museum..just cool.

What I think needs to happen is for baltimore to create tax incentives to house back office or lower value-added work for companies housed in DC given that real estate is cheaper.

Baltimore politics is really shitty and a lot of the ills have to do with very poor management of the city. The city has great bones but needs a wide variety of jobs (besides JHU/UMD/hospital jobs).

There is no reason for many 'lower level' jobs that are crammed in the DC area not to relocate to baltimore. Have execs, high value-added, and client-facing workers stay in dc area but move the rest to baltimore. This would bring in the type of middle-class and educated people baltimore needs to become a nice city.