Living in the Baltimore area

__ryan__ · Sep 27, 2022

Hey mid-Atlantic people. I'm interested to hear your opinion on living in the Baltimore area, as I may be moving there for a job. Of course, I've been doing a lot of research myself, but I think insights from folks in the area would be useful. I'm mostly interested to hear about quality of life things, but feel free to pass along anything you find relevant.

For background, I'm originally from northeast PA, but would be coming from northern CA. I've spent time living in Baltimore (~4 years) but that was over 20 years ago -- and I was a broke student at the time. So, I have an idea of what things may be like today. Public schools are an important consideration for me, so I'm currently looking at the Towson area for proximity to both my work location and the amenities of Baltimore city.

I know about the weather (some light snow, considerable rain, and a few months of annoying heat and humidity) and the beltway traffic. And I'm aware of crime and safety issues, which can be present in the rough parts of just about any city. My understanding is that the area offers a nice mixture of cultural activities (low-key museums, the symphony, Camden yards), outdoor activities (biking, fishing, camping, hiking, beaches), and pretty decent options for good food.

Feel free to write things here or to PM me. Thanks.

JwRosenthal · Sep 27, 2022

Sounds like you got it. I’ve lived here for 27 years, not much has changed in the last 20 so probably much like you left it.
Public schools are problematic even in the county now, but I don’t have kids so can’t speak directly to any personal experience. Charter and private schools seem to be the way most people of means do it here unfortunately- although the public magnet schools here are known for their excellence and require application/acceptance.

Quality of life vs cost of living is excellent- and this is a good place for foodies. It’s a little big city so you get most of the perks of big city living (foods & culture) without the grotesques expense.
The crime is like it is any urban area- so there is that.
Towson is fine, I live in the north end of the city and it’s nice living but property taxes drop in half when you cross the county/city line….as does the water bills and insurance- so a plus to living in the county. But homes tend to cost more in the county so it’s a trade off.
If you have more detailed questions, PM me

BlackTalon · Sep 27, 2022

If you are not looking to live within the City you may want to consider the Columbia area; it gets you a little closer to DC without being too close. JW's definitely the man for Baltimore info and questions. I'm from further south so my knowledge is as a visitor to Baltimore. JW mentions food -- Baltimore is great for that. But man, it is just as expensive to eat and park in many parts of the downtown area these days as it is in DC. The good old days of driving up to Baltimore for a better meal than we could get around DC, and at great prices, are long gone.

__ryan__ · Sep 27, 2022

BlackTalon
If you are not looking to live within the City you may want to consider the Columbia area

I've heard Columbia is a nice area, and being in-between both cities would be a plus. But commute considerations probably make the north side more sensible for me. Being close enough to DC for periodic trips would be great. As for restaurant/food prices, I suppose they're up in many places. I would be happy just to get a decent bagel and a slice in Baltimore -- something that's definitely missing from most of California.

JwRosenthal · Sep 28, 2022

BlackTalon
If you are not looking to live within the City you may want to consider the Columbia area; it gets you a little closer to DC without being too close. JW's definitely the man for Baltimore info and questions. I'm from further south so my knowledge is as a visitor to Baltimore. JW mentions food -- Baltimore is great for that. But man, it is just as expensive to eat and park in many parts of the downtown area these days as it is in DC. The good old days of driving up to Baltimore for a better meal than we could get around DC, and at great prices, are long gone.

You’re talking about getting a bushel of crabs, a bucket of muscles and a pitcher of beer for $20…yeah, those days are gone sadly. It became hip to eat like the locals so you pay for the premium of brown paper on the table and doing your own work to get at your food.
The good food is further north and peppered around different areas- avoid downtown and the harbor- they are banking on the tourists and conventioneers.

gbesq · Sep 28, 2022

Haven’t had dinner in Baltimore in years, but there used to be a very good selection of Mom and Pop Italian restaurants all concentrated in one area - somewhat like the Hanover Street area in Boston, but smaller. Still there, James?

JwRosenthal · Sep 28, 2022

gbesq
Haven’t had dinner in Baltimore in years, but there used to be a very good selection of Mom and Pop Italian restaurants all concentrated in one area - somewhat like the Hanover Street area in Boston, but smaller. Still there, James?

Little Italy, yeah- still there. The center cluster is tourist- but there are a few gems on the periphery- La Scala comes to mind

krogerfoot · Sep 28, 2022

JwRosenthal
Little Italy, yeah- still there. The center cluster is tourist- but there are a few gems on the periphery- La Scala comes to mind

I didn’t realize you were in Balmer, James. My father grew up there next to the train tracks on the west side, Sexton Street. Haven’t been there since my grandparents sold that house and moved to Flarda.

BlackTalon · Sep 28, 2022

JwRosenthal
You’re talking about getting a bushel of crabs, a bucket of muscles and a pitcher of beer for $20…yeah, those days are gone sadly. It became hip to eat like the locals so you pay for the premium of brown paper on the table and doing your own work to get at your food.
The good food is further north and peppered around different areas- avoid downtown and the harbor- they are banking on the tourists and conventioneers.

No, not talking about crabs -- I've never really liked them and I grew up catching them off a pier in MJ on summer trips so I have never understood paying $$$ for them in the MD/ DC/ VA area.

I have some friends who are chefs and the places they worked in the downtown area became just as expensive as DC areas. And the price to park downtown shot up tremendously a few years back -- also similar to pricing in DC.

I've had some great food in Little Italy and Greektown in Baltimore, although I think the last time was prior to Covid. And way back when I first started working we would hit some Polish restaurants for lunch if when we had projects in the area.

DC has a lot more ethnic restaurants these days, so less of a need to drive up to Baltimore for things like that. But DC still lacks the personality those parts of Baltimore have.

JwRosenthal · Sep 28, 2022

The ethnic food here is good, lots of diverse communities that have held on to their roots. Atmans is still the gold standard for Corned Beef on Rye and some light sarcasm and abuse.

Dsloan · Sep 28, 2022

I can affirm that food here is good, and cost of living in is cheap. The area works for many of our cheap hobbies - hiking, music, local art scene, visiting museums. And it's easy to pop down to DC or up to Philly or NY.

If school options are important to you, I suggest you research carefully. My mom was a school teacher and supporting public school is important to me... Yet, we're currently trying to decide if I'm going to cross our fingers on the charter school lottery, apply for private school, or move to county for more school options.

JwRosenthal · Sep 28, 2022

Dsloan
I can affirm that food here is good, and cost of living in is cheap. The area works for many of our cheap hobbies - hiking, music, local art scene, visiting museums. And it's easy to pop down to DC or up to Philly or NY.

If school options are important to you, I suggest you research carefully. My mom was a school teacher and supporting public school is important to me... Yet, we're currently trying to decide if I'm going to cross our fingers on the charter school lottery, apply for private school, or move to county for more school options.

Need to move to Roland Park for RP middle- then you can bide your time to win the lottery for Gilman or RPCS

Dsloan · Sep 28, 2022

JwRosenthal
Need to move to Roland Park for RP middle- then you can bide your time to win the lottery for Gilman or RPCS

You may have a misunderstanding of our finances... Or are you suggesting that I unload the whole watch collection for something as trivial as my child's future? 😜

JwRosenthal · Sep 28, 2022

Dsloan
You may have a misunderstanding of our finances... Or are you suggesting that I unload the whole watch collection for something as trivial as my child's future? 😜

You could always sell the child for your watch collection’s future. 😗

__ryan__ · Sep 28, 2022

JwRosenthal
You’re talking about getting a bushel of crabs, a bucket of muscles and a pitcher of beer for $20…yeah, those days are gone sadly. It became hip to eat like the locals so you pay for the premium of brown paper on the table and doing your own work to get at your food.

It's unfortunate if that sort of thing has become expensive. One of my favorite things was sitting with my dad at a brown-paper picnic table, picking crabs, and having a few cheap beers.

JwRosenthal · Sep 28, 2022

__ryan__
It's unfortunate if that sort of thing has become expensive. One of my favorite things was sitting with my dad at a brown-paper picnic table, picking crabs, and having a few cheap beers.

You can still get it, you just have to know where to go.

__ryan__ · Sep 28, 2022

Dsloan
I can affirm that food here is good, and cost of living in is cheap. The area works for many of our cheap hobbies - hiking, music, local art scene, visiting museums. And it's easy to pop down to DC or up to Philly or NY.

If school options are important to you, I suggest you research carefully. My mom was a school teacher and supporting public school is important to me... Yet, we're currently trying to decide if I'm going to cross our fingers on the charter school lottery, apply for private school, or move to county for more school options.

Thanks -- it's good to know about those sorts of hobbies.

And yes, schools are important for me. Both of my parents were public school teachers, and I'm generally a proponent of well-run / well-funded public schools. I don't have any experience with charter schools, but I view them with some suspicion. Perhaps some work well, but the incentives seem misaligned to me.

JwRosenthal · Sep 28, 2022

Agree on public education- school teachers should be paid 6 figures, schools should be swimming in resources and every kid should get equal opportunity despite their zip code. Sadly our national (and local) priorities speak otherwise.

__ryan__ · Sep 28, 2022

Great info so far. Can anyone weigh in on cycling opportunities? My understanding is there are a number of options for mountain biking in the vicinity. I was less sure about how things are with road cycling. I'm a novice, but it's something I would like to get into. I would probably not attempt much within city limits, but in surrounding areas.

gbesq · Sep 28, 2022

__ryan__
Great info so far. Can anyone weigh in on cycling opportunities? My understanding is there are a number of options for mountain biking in the vicinity. I was less sure about how things are with road cycling. I'm a novice, but it's something I would like to get into. I would probably not attempt much within city limits, but in surrounding areas.

Go a bit north and you will find ample road biking opportunities around the MD/PA border - lots of lightly trafficked rural roads with beautiful views.

Living in the Baltimore area

ryan

JwRosenthal

BlackTalon

ryan

JwRosenthal

gbesq

JwRosenthal

krogerfoot

BlackTalon

JwRosenthal

Dsloan

JwRosenthal

Dsloan

JwRosenthal

ryan

JwRosenthal

ryan

JwRosenthal

ryan

gbesq

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