Baltimore - 8/12/2006

Lived In Balt. for 12 years - just went back a few weeks ago and the inner city looks like war zone - Flashing police cameras on every street light. Some talk about diversity - yeah right B'more is one of the most racist cities in the country - black and white do not get along. If you like the ghetto - some peope do - you might be ok. Not a very active city sports wise. I used to ride the bike trail in leakin park, but got too scared after they seem to find a body every month. Baltimore does have some charm though and some great non-chain places to eat - check out fells point, little italy, lextington market if its still there.

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Greater Coppin Heights/Rosemont....A Baltimore Cit - 8/10/2006

The Greater Coppin Heights/Rosemont Community is an established working-class neighborhood featuring tree-lined streets and many brick porch-front rowhomes with garden areas. It is a predominantly residential community with commercial and industrial uses concentrated along its northern border, while public land uses (e.g., Coppin State University and Carver Vocational High School) are located on its northern and southeastern border.

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Baltimore, MD - 6/22/2006

Culturely diversified. Consists of neighborhoodsthat are urban and somewhat suburban. City is building more condos for "live near your work" draw of upwardly mobile singles. Harbor area is inviting with lots to do for family and singles. The city offers an increasingly wide variety of culture and recreation with an excellent visitors center at the inner harbor. Heavy presence of cameras that are inconspicuosly placed to provide safety from crime. Housing choices are so varied, I can't number. Public school system sucks unless you are fortunate enough to get into a city-wide magnate. Many excellent parochial and private schools.

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Bmore too diverse for some - 6/22/2006

For those who are looking for a beautiful city that contains middle and upper classed citizens who get along and all mow their lawns on saturdays... Baltimore is not your place. It is much different than other cities. It is a city based on the blue collar american worker who works hard all day and then goes home to his family. It is not about penthouse suites and million dollar lofts overlooking the harbor. It is a large city, so yes there will be the lower class who live in boarded up homes and the homeless sleeping on the steam vents. But what city doesn't have this?!? Baltimore is a great place where everyone fits in... you don't have to pay 40 dollars for parking or the ball game, and you can get a coffee without taking out a 2nd mortgage. It has it's neighborhoods for younger folks such as Federal Hill, and Canton, and artsy parts of town such as Hampden and Mt Washington. There is something for everyone, and this may be why folks from "pretty" towns have such a problem with Baltimore because it is not all about cocktails at the lounge and fancy cars and flash bulbs. I know Baltimore is a great town, and is given the chance, so would everyone else.

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Dis-belief - 6/9/2006

a native new yorker and not usually menaced by too much and not very amazed by much (common occurences in ny) i find baltimore to be divisive, racist, culterally facetious and I feel pretty much menaced most of the time downtown.

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City living plus - 5/7/2006

Noticed that the nicer homes outside of the Baltimore metropolitan area don't have "constant" public transportation into the city where most of the jobs are. Baltimore has recently changed their bus services to accomodate certain areas which I think is a very good thing. They still have some other areas to go but this is a great start.

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not loving it here - 5/5/2006

very polluted, dirty city

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Get me out of here! - 4/29/2006

I was born and raised in Baltimore and have many fond memories of traveling in the city as a child to see the many historical sites. Now I don't allow my own children to go out after sundown unless they are in our back yard -- and I live approximately 1/2 mile away from the Mayor of Baltimore!! It's a shame what we have let this beautiful city become.

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Where are the jobs? - 4/22/2006

I can't afford a house (305K average for a row house with no yard and every other block a crack house). I'm born and raised here and have seen the general decline into something absurd. Where do you go when your MA and years of experience yield nothing…..?

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A City that Creates Mixed Emotions - 4/20/2006

Baltimore is a unique city. A city with endless possibilities and numerous challenges. It is a city divided into distinct neighborhoods mainly along racial and economic lines. It is a city of affluence and object poverty, with a lot of underlying racial tension. Crime is a contant fear in the back of most people's minds. The city's educational system is broken many fear beyond repair. People of any means send their children to private school. Despite it's detractions, Baltimore is a charming city with distinct and charming neighborhoods. The people are the kindest that I've had the priviledge of calling neighbors. The city is an wonderful mix of ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. The city offers an extensive park system offering any type of outdoor activites. I have loved and hated living in Baltimore. It is a city that could offer so much and has plans and asperations to fulfill its potential, but it will be a long and difficult process.

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I Love Baltimore! - 3/23/2006

If you don't enjoy living in Baltimore then you haven't really experienced Baltimore. I am not a native, but Baltimore is home. I moved out west three years ago and have been trying to get back to Baltimore ever since. I'm a teacher and I lived in the city for two years. I could hardly afford the cost of living then and it's impossible now! Baltimore has great restaurants, great people, and unique culture. Its a great mix of people from all walks of life. My neighborhood was a mix of blue collar, white collar, singles, couples, families, white, black, gay, straight, and we all got together at least once a month for a party, drink, book club, etc. Go get some shrimp at Cross Street Market, or pick up some crabs at Joppa Seafood and crack some crabs. (Good for stress!) Go have a drink at a wine bar, Owl Bar, or Brewer's Art. Where else can you go to a baseball game and stand over the visiting team for $8.00? Okay, maybe $10.00 by now. (Go O's) If you happen to be a history buff this is the place for you. Read Frederick Douglass' autobiography. Yes, Fells Point is a (cobbled stone) street lined with bars, but its also where the majority of slaves were bought and sold. Did you know most of Baltimore's major streets are named after slave owners? Our national anthem...written and about Baltimore. (Okay, a battle fought in Baltimore!) Yes, the crime is high and the education system is terrible, but it is very slowly improving. By the way, the mayor is not only a great mayor, he's really cool and an average Joe! (Except he ends up on T.V. shows and in movies) More people need to be an active part of the solution and not just sit around and complain. Have you ever driven through the projects and asked yourself why seven year old kids are selling drugs? It's a war zone! How does anyone make it out of there alive? Now get out there and explore! P.S. Proactive teacher needs affordable rent to become part of the solution. (Anybody?) (Anybody?)

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restaurant owner - 3/23/2006

our city rate is going down thanks to our mayor

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Baltimore City - 3/21/2006

I am originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and I moved to Baltimore, MD to go to school (Maryland Institute College of Art). I think I am planning on moving and here's what I have to say about Baltimore: Climate: There are four seasons (Which I never experienced living in Florida) Mild Winters Hot & Humid summers Cost of Living: Is quickly going up! This city used to be really affordable but now that's quickly changing. (Though still alot cheaper than D.C. & NY) Ultilities are projected to going up by 72-80% this summer yikes! Crime: Is up there. I hear an ambulance, firetruck or police car at least once a day! Drugs are a huge problem. Young inner city kids selling drugs is at a very high rate. The rate of larcenry, murder, assault, and theft is very high. Culture & Recreation: I think is okay. But as for recreation, the Inner Harbor is basically all we have and that get's tired after the first two times you go. Oh and we have lots and lots of bars, which I don't care for at all but if you like that kinda thing then Fells Point is the place to be! Economy: I project it to be growing some but this is really a blue collar town. Education: Sucks! This city virtually puts no money into the public schooling system. Teachers are underpaid and under appreciated. Schools are being shut down constantly due to inadequate/ill-mananged funding. However, higher education is excellent here, you have Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland, Maryland Institute, etc. all which are very, very good schools. Health: STD Capital of the country Housing: Still cheaper than D.C. but is going up fast! Politics: Not into Maryland Politics so... Quality of Life: It's what you make it Recreation: Inner Harbor, that's it Religion: Pretty religious place I think. Transportation: Good public transportation. Busses are everywhere! And Baltimorians are some bus taking people.

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Blue Collar City - 3/4/2006

My husband and I moved here 2 years ago from Atlanta. We have met some great people and have enjoyed living downtown and being able to walk to bars, restaurants, and friends. But the city is filthy and I don't see it changing anytime soon. Trash everywhere and people littering daily. Not to mention the crime and drug problems. We also happen to be vegetarian and trust me when I say this is not the place to be veggie. Even the Whole Foods reduced the number of vegetarian items because they just weren't selling. One more year and we are moving west. Anyone have any suggestions?

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It's getting more expensive - 3/3/2006

Baltimore, like most other places, is experiencing a dramatic rise in the cost of housing. I bought a small 3 bedroom house in Parkville for $118,000 in 2003 and sold it, just a little more than two years later, for $179,000. Up here in the Waltham/Watertown area of Massachusetts, where I now live, that same house would cost around $450,000. What I sold my house for would hardly be enough for a down payment up here in Mass. I believe, though, that housing is still, relatively speaking, cheaper in Baltimore in most major metropolises. Probably not for long, however, as federal workers, priced out of the D.C. area market, are coming to Baltimore to buy housing, helping to drive up the prices. The train traveling to and from Baltimore and D.C. takes only an hour each way.

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graduate student - 3/3/2006

I would like to know how much is the rent and also culture and community.

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my opinion - 2/26/2006

Cost of living has increased tremendously.

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Tale of Two Economic Classes - 2/8/2006

If you are professional, life is good. Area income for educated class more than adequate. Slightly less opportunity for minorities but times they are a changing. Not hard to save and live comfortably if one is focused. Many desireable city neighborhoods. The closer one works to Washington, D.C. the better for career opportunities. Great access to beaches, mountains, and nightlife! The poor struggle! Many abandoned homes (investment opportunities) and lots of drug activity in too many neighborhoods. An alarming high dropout rate for black youngsters. In short, affordable town with great cultural resources (many free museums and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC) for those that are disciplined and seeking quality of life. Also, the single scene is robust and is supported by a diverse population.

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One time native - 11/2/2005

I was born in Baltimore, grew up there in the early 80's, it was going downhill then. And for the last 20 years going back to visit or passing through, it's somewhat depressing especially where I grew up with all the abandon houses for blocks and blocks. Yes, the tourist areas is more than InnerHarbor now but the city infrastructure should be ashamed of themselves for not cracking down on homeowners with the vacant homes left to rot. I love visiting but could not stomach the possibility of even coming back to live.

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balto boring??? - 9/1/2005

Baltimore is far from boring. There's something there for everyone, and those who claim it's all touristy probably have not done much exploring. On top of having diverse culture and everything from the arts to sports to great food, it's located just a short drive in any direction from a ton of other cool places like Gettysburg PA, and DC. Yeah yeah, the gang situation is pretty bad but it was a HECK of a lot worse under mayor shmoke. SOmeone posted that they cant imagine anywhere more boring or worse... try Tallahassee FL. The only culture here grows on the kitchen floors of fast food joints. Everything is either black or white... no little italy, no german town, no pole town, no china town... The only things to do in town are drink, go to one of the many universities, drink at the many universities, or attend a sports event while drinking at one of the many universities. NOw if you like fishing, getting 3rd degree sunburn or skin cancer, poodle sized roaches that fly, and biting just-about-everythings then tallahassee is the place for you! I miss balto!

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