uspcommuter said:
As for location, I really do need to be some what close to the hospital (20-30 mins on metro is still good). But I would like to be close to a metro stop that can get me where I need to go thats all. Unfortunately, I dont have a car and that will probabley not change so I will need to stick with the metro. Also, I really don't go clubbing too much...but a pint of Guinness is good for the soul. Given the new info, is there any other suggestions? I really dont mind riding on the metro longer if it means i can be at a better location.
Oh and also I found an ad for an apt near Balt. General hospital. The price is reasonal. Its in an area called Mt. Vernon. Any idea on the safety of the neighborhood?
I think Mt. Vernon sounds ideal for you. The closer you are to Charles St., the more you will enjoy your time here. You aren't too far from the inner harbor, but you still have a pretty nice neighborhood. The map that Lori linked to is from Live Baltimore - that is a pretty good site for getting basic questions answered about the town from people that know it really well. The crime map that I suggest you use is
here. It isn't the most accurate, but it isn't bad. I do like the Mt. Vernon/Charles Village area. There are a lot of nice places to eat on Charles and the homosexual population tends to be much more concerned about cleaning up after themselves - Baltimore has a serious problem with people being lazy, so not having chicken and fish bones on the ground is good for being eyepleasing and sanitary.
🙂
As for where things are, the easiest way to understand Baltimore is to understand that the inner harbor and Charles St are your havens. Stray too far and things get nasty quickly. However, you know you are in Bal'mer when the is plywood within 1/4 mile of where you are. But, the inner harbor is easy to spot on any map of Baltimore - it's where the harbor comes deepest into the city. Just to the south is Federal Hill and Otterbien. A couple blocks west is Camden Yards. Just to the north is Mt. Vernon and Charles Village. To the south-east is Fells Point (south of the hospital). That should give you the basic orientation that you will need for when you arrive.
A couple of thoughts - grocery stores are not common in Baltimore. You will need to take the Metro out to suburbia for that. I don't know the Owings Mills stop and it's area, but I can't imagine it would be too difficult. I'm sure there are places that are closer, I just don't know them. Also, B-more is pushing the urban renewal thing. That means that safety is always subject to change. But generally for the better as poverty and crime pushed further East and West (but still inside City limits where juries are kinder, welfare is more funded and the death penalty is never pursued) while $$ comes in along the North South axis.
Anyway, if the place in Mt. Vernon sounds good (take a weekend and check it out - there are a lot of older, kind of crappy, apartments because that historic preservation crap), go there.
I'm rambling, so ignore watever you want. If you are just looking for the occasional pint with your co-workers, you may think about living further out in Baltimore County either by OM on the metro or up in the Timonium/Lutherville/Towson/Hunt Valley area along the Light Rail - just be prepared for the boredom that comes with suburbia. Sometimes you will find nice stuff out there too. Actually, on a slight tangent, the North Baltimore area may be more your style. Tends to be a bit nicer, has university (Towson State and Goucher) culture, and there is an Apple store in Towson at the Towson Town Center. Of course commute time goes up...
I know I keep throwing out more things each time I try to answer your questions. I apologize for that. I used to live in downtown B-more and whenever anybody talks about moving there for however long or short a time, I tend to try and give enough info for someone who is planning a permanent move.
