Ah, the big three: Canton, Federal Hill, and Fells Point

Buz is sorry for not posting enough in this blog, but I've really been busy with stuff. I did however, have another relocation tour--a young gal and her boyfriend, who basically wanted to look, pretty much, in only one of the three neighborhoods all young professionals (almost all) want when they come to Baltimore: Canton, Federal Hill, and Fell's Point.

So we took a tour of the three areas and looked at Upper Fells Point, too (though, of course, the Craigslist poster said the rental property was in "Fell's Point"--well, close, but............)

We didn't find much in Fells Point to interest her, but found out that a $2400/month place in Upper Fells Point was really much and really small and really too close to where a lot of day laborers were hanging out looking for work. The house was all brand new, never lived in and down a small alley street. And the "investor" landlord was coming from DC to show it. We/she cancelled him after taking one look at the outside and the immediate neighborhood.

Places in Canton were really small and pricey, and several were already taken by the time we called.

Federal Hill places were really dear, but if you wanted to be near.............the tailgating/barhopping action, this was it.

moving to Baltimore!? Consider Mt. Washington

Ah, a reader suggested to me that I not forget about wonderful, beautiful Mt. Washington as a place for someone relocating to the Baltimore area. Actually, it has a fair amount of positive attributes:

• It's nice old Baltimore neighborhood with a strong community association, which is pretty to look at.
• If one works downtown close to the light rail route, it's a walk or short drive, depending on where exactly you live, to the light rail station in Mt. Washington village.
• A lot of people from out of town haven't heard of it because it isn't much on the young professional circuit.
• It has a fair number of nice apartment complexes, including at least one which is gated, and at a very reasonable price--much less than you'd pay in most of , say, Federal Hill, Canton, or Fells Point. Or you can rent apartments in privately owned big old houses.
• There's only one bar in the village, the Mt. Washington Tavern, but it's pretty good.
• You are very close to Whole Foods, Meadowbrook Aquatic and Fitness center, and the post office. Short drive to I83 or I695, and downtown.
• A community consisting of pretty much upper middle class people, including African Americans of that socio-economic class.
• Very close to Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods which are to the north and very safe.
• Very close to Sinai Hospital for fellows, post-docs, or interns working there.
• Relatively low crime in immediate area.

A couple negatives: 

• Very close to high crime areas of Park Heights, with heavy drug trafficking.
• Not close to someone working at Hopkins Hospital.
• Traffic can be heavy during morning rush hour.
• Buz likes Belvedere Towers apartment building--a high-rise with good highway access, large apartments for the money, hardwood floors, 24-hour doormen/desk persons, a small pool, small fitness center.

(Maryland Management took over the place last year. Huh. Wonder if they got rid of Peggy or Nikki, the two great, nice Property Managers.)

Thanks, Anonymous for the tips!

Relocating to Baltimore

Buz has had some success as an Independent Contractor helping folks relocate to Baltimore. He sometimes sees bad advice on other websites, so decided to blog about it.

Most young people relocating to Baltimore are only told that 3 neighborhoods exist: 

Canton

Fells Point

Federal Hill

There are others!

Well, this is just not their fault. Many people move to Baltimore with only very cursory knowledge of the city or area. It is sad to see them relying on websites and talk forums in which the city boosters or haters are predominant.

Like most cities, Baltimore has a mix of good neighborhoods, bad neighborhoods, and in-betweens.

If you're moving to Baltimore, you kinda have to hook up with a native who knows their way around (someone like me!). Otherwise, you'll be spending a lot of time wandering abaout and being fooled