Yes, a few blocks can make a difference particularly downtown and in the Roland Park/Guilford area. But, if you want to feel safer head to Ruxton, Timonium or Falls Road area north of Greenspring Station. It is called just being smart wherever you live. Gone are the days of playing outside and not having to worry about our children. No neighborhood is completely safe. One day, I was in Downtown Bethesda and saw young teen girls about 14 years old shopping and having lunch without their parents in sight. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to my child because I was lazy or didn't want to be bothered. In addition last fall, someone was carjacked in Downtown Bethesda while I was there. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

I also remember York Road / Greenmount in the 1990s.

It was worse back then. Not that much worse perhaps, but still worse. You'd have to show me statistics comparing crime in the 1990s to today to convince me otherwise. Anecdotal experiences don't count for much as one person's experience is different from another, as this thread has shown.

North Baltimore is more expensive today than it was in the 1990s. People are still paying a million for prime houses in North Baltimore and that's a lot of money by Baltimore standards. A house in Guilford recently sold for 2 million. So I don't know where the claims that North Baltimore isn't what it used to be is coming from. Unless you're missing some past wasp utopia.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2012/10/24/police-report-2-abduction-robberies-in-roland-park/

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-08-21/news/bs-md-roland-park-arrest-20130821_1_street-robberies-north-baltimore-second-suspect

You found two incidents, one from 2012 and one from 2013, that each took place when people were out walking or biking at 2:00 in the morning. From that, we are supposed to believe that RP is some crime-ridden hellhole?

Sounds like your reading comprehensions skills are the best. Each article talks about a string of crimes, most of which were against pedestrians and joggers. Only one of the shootings was late at night. Do you even live in Baltimore?

Yes, I live in Baltimore. I even lived here 5 years ago when those articles you cite were published. Have you ever lived anywhere OTHER than Baltimore? You sound like the 80 year olds on my neighborhood listserv who call the police when someone they don't know rings their doorbell because everything is so DANGEROUS.

Yup, I lived in philly, boston, low Angeles and dc.

I am also a prosecutor, so I think I have more access to info about crimes than many of you.

Anyone thinking of living in Roland Park should take a drive going west Cold Spring and evaluate what they think if that neighborhood.

And if you are thinking about Homeland/Guilford, drive down York and Greenmont, and then read on on the crime statistics for mid Govans/Waverly.

We don't live in a bubble.

I used to live in a 'safe neighborhood' in Baltimore and this is great advice. In Baltimore the nice and bad parts of the city are just a few blocks apart. This is unlike the other cities that I've lived in (NYC, Boston and D.C.).

This was my experience of Baltimore too--my neighborhood was charming and nice, but there was huge variability within a few blocks. I never felt safe walking around after twilight. I don't know if that was fully rational or not, but I have lived in several other large cities without feeling that way. I was never mugged, but it was common among people I knew, and someone I didn't know was stabbed to death a few houses down from a friend's house (in what seemed like a safe area).

Unfortunately, much of what is being written here is true. Roland Park & Guilford are not the same neighborhoods that they once were. Baltimore does have many nice neighborhoods depending on what you want to pay. Ruxton is a lovely neighborhood as well as many neighborhoods that line Falls Road above Greenspring Station. If the price point is too high, there are many nice family-oriented neighborhoods in Timonium. Just like many cities, there are more safer sections and less desirable. One thing that Baltimore definitely has is a sense of raising less entitled children than from many areas in DC as well as many areas in Chevy Chase & Bethesda. Good luck in your search.

Anonymous wrote:Mostly Marilyn mosby. She is completely incompetent and a disaster. Attritution of expereimced prosecutors at an unprecedented rate since she has taken office. A broken relationship between states attorneys office and police after the prosecution of the police officers for Freddy Grays death. There are literally hundreds of police officers taking early retirement each month since the April 2015 riots. A new mayor with a budget deficit. A governor who doesn't give two shots about the city.

I think this is all correct, but that there is also some police culpability as well. I am a former prosecutor in Baltimore (not the one who posted earlier bashing the city. I live in the city and love it here), and I am sympathetic to BPD. It's got to be one of the hardest jobs around. BUT there is no way you could convince me that there wasn't a deliberate slow down in policing in the wake of the Freddy Gray prosecutions that contributed to the murder spike.

Mostly Marilyn mosby. She is completely incompetent and a disaster. Attritution of expereimced prosecutors at an unprecedented rate since she has taken office. A broken relationship between states attorneys office and police after the prosecution of the police officers for Freddy Grays death. There are literally hundreds of police officers taking early retirement each month since the April 2015 riots. A new mayor with a budget deficit. A governor who doesn't give two shots about the city.

So it looks like the number of homicides was down 10 percent in 2016 from the peak in 2015. But yeah, the number so far in 2017 is really high - what is going on that would cause that?

Actually I'm not wrong. Where do you live?

People are still getting shot right on York Road, here's a story about a shoutout at a gas station on York in December. http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2016/12/19/york-road-gas-station-murder-suspect-identified. Shootings on Greenmount last July. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-ci-shootings-20160728-story.html Or how about the absolutely hideous incident from a year or two ago when a bartender riding his bike home from the inner harbor was attacked and killed by a group of juveniles in Waverly. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-ci-cutting-20160110-story.html

As a college student in the 90s, we use to frequent the fast food places on Greenmount. No way, no how, no.

I would agree that that the predominantly white working class neighborhoods like Hampden and Locust point are gentrifying but they are an exception. Still plenty of meth heads and heroin addicts hanging out on the avenue, tho.

We are headed for a record all time murder rate this year (higher than the peak of the crack epidemic), and all crime was up significantly last year, not just murders. http://data.baltimoresun.com/news/robberies2016/

Perhaps you missed this incident the other day where a business man was robbed and beaten in downtown Baltimore in broad daylight -- a video made by a passerby went viral. http://www.wbaltv.com/article/9-people-arrested-in-viral-robbery-posted-on-facebook/9107492 Or a few months ago, when a window in the U.S. Attorney' office (right on Pratt Street) from a random bullet. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/not-even-the-us-attorneys-office-in-baltimore-is-immune-from-flying-bullets/2016/06/03/2b259a3c-299f-11e6-a3c4-0724e8e24f3f_story.html?utm_term=.06ae5ebbe63c

For those of us who still live here and work downtown, Baltimore is not getting safer. Pretty offensive than anyone who even pays any attention to current events in Baltimore would say that.

Anonymous wrote:Actually, you're wrong.

As someone who well remembers Baltimore from 20 years ago (1997) Greenmount / York was even worse in those days. Crime was problematic. Very problematic. The 1990s was when Guilford got its private patrol crew. There were even concerns that Hamden was slowly descending into a pit of drugs and crime. Compared to 20 years Baltimore is much improved.

Baltimore people used to joke that no matter how bad thing she got in the city, at least it wasn't as bad as Washington! So perhaps an investment today will pay out handsomely 20 years from now. The city still has too many issues and crime is one of them but big strides have been made in reviving large stretches of Baltimore. North Baltimore, because of its affluence and high profile and proximity, is always going to attract a degree of petty crime, which is unfortunate. Many won't be comfortable with it. But it does not mean North Baltimore is a crime ridden or dangerous place.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2012/10/24/police-report-2-abduction-robberies-in-roland-park/

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-08-21/news/bs-md-roland-park-arrest-20130821_1_street-robberies-north-baltimore-second-suspect

You found two incidents, one from 2012 and one from 2013, that each took place when people were out walking or biking at 2:00 in the morning. From that, we are supposed to believe that RP is some crime-ridden hellhole?

Sounds like your reading comprehensions skills are the best. Each article talks about a string of crimes, most of which were against pedestrians and joggers. Only one of the shootings was late at night. Do you even live in Baltimore?

Yes, I live in Baltimore. I even lived here 5 years ago when those articles you cite were published. Have you ever lived anywhere OTHER than Baltimore? You sound like the 80 year olds on my neighborhood listserv who call the police when someone they don't know rings their doorbell because everything is so DANGEROUS.

Yup, I lived in philly, boston, low Angeles and dc.

I am also a prosecutor, so I think I have more access to info about crimes than many of you.

Anyone thinking of living in Roland Park should take a drive going west Cold Spring and evaluate what they think if that neighborhood.

And if you are thinking about Homeland/Guilford, drive down York and Greenmont, and then read on on the crime statistics for mid Govans/Waverly.

We don't live in a bubble.

I used to live in a 'safe neighborhood' in Baltimore and this is great advice. In Baltimore the nice and bad parts of the city are just a few blocks apart. This is unlike the other cities that I've lived in (NYC, Boston and D.C.).

Seriously? That was DC 15 years ago. I lived in Shaw b/f the Whole Foods. 2 blocks in any direction was the complete hood. I wish I'd bought that house.

The difference is that we are talking about the nicest neighborhoods in the city, the bad parts of the city are spreading out, not the reverse., The York/green mount area was actually much better 20 years ago, before they tore down Memorial stadium.

Nobody is saying don't live in thee neighborhoods, only that they are not as safe as one might think walking through on a sunny afternoon. Aesthetically, Thur are lovely.

Actually, you're wrong.

As someone who well remembers Baltimore from 20 years ago (1997) Greenmount / York was even worse in those days. Crime was problematic. Very problematic. The 1990s was when Guilford got its private patrol crew. There were even concerns that Hamden was slowly descending into a pit of drugs and crime. Compared to 20 years Baltimore is much improved.

Baltimore people used to joke that no matter how bad thing she got in the city, at least it wasn't as bad as Washington! So perhaps an investment today will pay out handsomely 20 years from now. The city still has too many issues and crime is one of them but big strides have been made in reviving large stretches of Baltimore. North Baltimore, because of its affluence and high profile and proximity, is always going to attract a degree of petty crime, which is unfortunate. Many won't be comfortable with it. But it does not mean North Baltimore is a crime ridden or dangerous place.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2012/10/24/police-report-2-abduction-robberies-in-roland-park/

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-08-21/news/bs-md-roland-park-arrest-20130821_1_street-robberies-north-baltimore-second-suspect

You found two incidents, one from 2012 and one from 2013, that each took place when people were out walking or biking at 2:00 in the morning. From that, we are supposed to believe that RP is some crime-ridden hellhole?

Sounds like your reading comprehensions skills are the best. Each article talks about a string of crimes, most of which were against pedestrians and joggers. Only one of the shootings was late at night. Do you even live in Baltimore?

Yes, I live in Baltimore. I even lived here 5 years ago when those articles you cite were published. Have you ever lived anywhere OTHER than Baltimore? You sound like the 80 year olds on my neighborhood listserv who call the police when someone they don't know rings their doorbell because everything is so DANGEROUS.

Yup, I lived in philly, boston, low Angeles and dc.

I am also a prosecutor, so I think I have more access to info about crimes than many of you.

Anyone thinking of living in Roland Park should take a drive going west Cold Spring and evaluate what they think if that neighborhood.

And if you are thinking about Homeland/Guilford, drive down York and Greenmont, and then read on on the crime statistics for mid Govans/Waverly.

We don't live in a bubble.

I used to live in a 'safe neighborhood' in Baltimore and this is great advice. In Baltimore the nice and bad parts of the city are just a few blocks apart. This is unlike the other cities that I've lived in (NYC, Boston and D.C.).

Seriously? That was DC 15 years ago. I lived in Shaw b/f the Whole Foods. 2 blocks in any direction was the complete hood. I wish I'd bought that house.

The difference is that we are talking about the nicest neighborhoods in the city, the bad parts of the city are spreading out, not the reverse., The York/green mount area was actually much better 20 years ago, before they tore down Memorial stadium.

Nobody is saying don't live in thee neighborhoods, only that they are not as safe as one might think walking through on a sunny afternoon. Aesthetically, Thur are lovely.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2012/10/24/police-report-2-abduction-robberies-in-roland-park/

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-08-21/news/bs-md-roland-park-arrest-20130821_1_street-robberies-north-baltimore-second-suspect

You found two incidents, one from 2012 and one from 2013, that each took place when people were out walking or biking at 2:00 in the morning. From that, we are supposed to believe that RP is some crime-ridden hellhole?

Sounds like your reading comprehensions skills are the best. Each article talks about a string of crimes, most of which were against pedestrians and joggers. Only one of the shootings was late at night. Do you even live in Baltimore?

Yes, I live in Baltimore. I even lived here 5 years ago when those articles you cite were published. Have you ever lived anywhere OTHER than Baltimore? You sound like the 80 year olds on my neighborhood listserv who call the police when someone they don't know rings their doorbell because everything is so DANGEROUS.

Yup, I lived in philly, boston, low Angeles and dc.

I am also a prosecutor, so I think I have more access to info about crimes than many of you.

Anyone thinking of living in Roland Park should take a drive going west Cold Spring and evaluate what they think if that neighborhood.

And if you are thinking about Homeland/Guilford, drive down York and Greenmont, and then read on on the crime statistics for mid Govans/Waverly.

We don't live in a bubble.

I used to live in a 'safe neighborhood' in Baltimore and this is great advice. In Baltimore the nice and bad parts of the city are just a few blocks apart. This is unlike the other cities that I've lived in (NYC, Boston and D.C.).

Seriously? That was DC 15 years ago. I lived in Shaw b/f the Whole Foods. 2 blocks in any direction was the complete hood. I wish I'd bought that house.

The difference is that we are talking about the nicest neighborhoods in the city, the bad parts of the city are spreading out, not the reverse., The York/green mount area was actually much better 20 years ago, before they tore down Memorial stadium.

Nobody is saying don't live in thee neighborhoods, only that they are not as safe as one might think walking through on a sunny afternoon. Aesthetically, Thur are lovely.

Who is the Baltimore hater on this site? Geez.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2012/10/24/police-report-2-abduction-robberies-in-roland-park/

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-08-21/news/bs-md-roland-park-arrest-20130821_1_street-robberies-north-baltimore-second-suspect

You found two incidents, one from 2012 and one from 2013, that each took place when people were out walking or biking at 2:00 in the morning. From that, we are supposed to believe that RP is some crime-ridden hellhole?

Sounds like your reading comprehensions skills are the best. Each article talks about a string of crimes, most of which were against pedestrians and joggers. Only one of the shootings was late at night. Do you even live in Baltimore?

Yes, I live in Baltimore. I even lived here 5 years ago when those articles you cite were published. Have you ever lived anywhere OTHER than Baltimore? You sound like the 80 year olds on my neighborhood listserv who call the police when someone they don't know rings their doorbell because everything is so DANGEROUS.

Yup, I lived in philly, boston, low Angeles and dc.

I am also a prosecutor, so I think I have more access to info about crimes than many of you.

Anyone thinking of living in Roland Park should take a drive going west Cold Spring and evaluate what they think if that neighborhood.

And if you are thinking about Homeland/Guilford, drive down York and Greenmont, and then read on on the crime statistics for mid Govans/Waverly.

We don't live in a bubble.

I used to live in a 'safe neighborhood' in Baltimore and this is great advice. In Baltimore the nice and bad parts of the city are just a few blocks apart. This is unlike the other cities that I've lived in (NYC, Boston and D.C.).

Seriously? That was DC 15 years ago. I lived in Shaw b/f the Whole Foods. 2 blocks in any direction was the complete hood. I wish I'd bought that house.

This thread cracks me up. I grew up within two blocks of the Loyola College campus. As kids we would roam around all over, ride bikes to movies at the Senator (this was before Belvedere Square was even a thing!) or to the Rotunda, spent tons of time on Coldspring and York Rd. This was when Hampden actually was sketchy! My parents still live there, so I'm familiar with the area currently as well. There is a laundry list of reasons I wouldn't move back to Baltimore from DC, but the safety of the Roland Park/Homeland area or Coldspring/Northern Pkwy corridors is NOT one of them. Anybody who says otherwise is being ridiculous.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2012/10/24/police-report-2-abduction-robberies-in-roland-park/

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-08-21/news/bs-md-roland-park-arrest-20130821_1_street-robberies-north-baltimore-second-suspect

You found two incidents, one from 2012 and one from 2013, that each took place when people were out walking or biking at 2:00 in the morning. From that, we are supposed to believe that RP is some crime-ridden hellhole?

Sounds like your reading comprehensions skills are the best. Each article talks about a string of crimes, most of which were against pedestrians and joggers. Only one of the shootings was late at night. Do you even live in Baltimore?

Yes, I live in Baltimore. I even lived here 5 years ago when those articles you cite were published. Have you ever lived anywhere OTHER than Baltimore? You sound like the 80 year olds on my neighborhood listserv who call the police when someone they don't know rings their doorbell because everything is so DANGEROUS.

Yup, I lived in philly, boston, low Angeles and dc.

I am also a prosecutor, so I think I have more access to info about crimes than many of you.

Anyone thinking of living in Roland Park should take a drive going west Cold Spring and evaluate what they think if that neighborhood.

And if you are thinking about Homeland/Guilford, drive down York and Greenmont, and then read on on the crime statistics for mid Govans/Waverly.

We don't live in a bubble.

No you're not.

Anonymous wrote: There are certainly problematic areas in Baltimore. No one has pretended otherwise. But it's not like Roland Park is smack flush against a deprived area, unless you consider Hampden deprived.

Hampden is the scene of much theft. I was at one of those artisinal coffee shops with my wife, looked at the food menu, and said "this is larceny"!