What is Baltimore like?

[gtalk12]

I currently reside in South Florida but I am very interested in moving back up north. I'm originally from New Jersey but really find no interest in living there again.

 

Am I really that big a fan of the Ravens that I would move to Baltimore? YES lol

 

I use to have some family up in Maryland for a while and when I came to visit in the mid 90's it was a really nice place.

 

I'm still young, only 24 and would be moving with my gf. I was very curious as to what the night life is like and cost of living. Any opinions of the place would help.

 

Thanks

 

GO RAVENS

 

[ludy51]

I haven't been there much myself I've heard it's a VERY violent and dangerous city

[Inqui]

When I was there it seemed like a pretty rough place for the most part, albeit with some nice spots that would probably be out of your price range (meaning no disrespect if you're a lawyer or big oil executive or something, haha). I'm no expert by any stretch, but I'd say you could do better, depending on where you are in life.

[GrimCoconut]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/wire-the-complete-series-23-discs-dvd/4551005.p?id=2315425&skuId=4551005

[codizzle]

Eastern shore > baltimore and rest of western shore

No contest

[K-Dog]

Stay out of the city.

The burbs range from pretty sketchy to real nice.

[Moderator 3]

I think The Wire gave Baltimore a bad rep. It is no worse than any other major city. In fact, Baltimore has some very nice areas (check out the Arts District), and many people who live there love it. There is great nightlife and always plenty of activities going on. I've seen quite a few articles recently about more and more young people moving into Baltimore and even commuting from there to Washington.

[gtalk12]

Thanks, I went to the Ravens game vs the Dolphins and I met a young couple at the game who were telling me about Baltimore home games and how there is nothing like it.

 

That was my first Raven game ever and they won which was pretty cool.

 

I'm planning on going up there and visiting for a home game this season.

 

 

When I was there it seemed like a pretty rough place for the most part, albeit with some nice spots that would probably be out of your price range (meaning no disrespect if you're a lawyer or big oil executive or something, haha). I'm no expert by any stretch, but I'd say you could do better, depending on where you are in life.

 

I'm a car salesmen (I know what you are thinking, and no I'm not that type of guy who tells you whatever to sell a car) lol. I work for Autonation Ford and they have some stores in the area.

 

As for pay, it's retail. It's going to be what I make of it, so if I need to make 8k plus then I have to work. Nothing like a monthly bill to remind you that you are alive and need to pay them lol

 

The young couple mentioned there was a bar up there that I have to visit to watch a game.

[GrimCoconut]

I think The Wire gave Baltimore a bad rep. It is no worse than any other major city. In fact, Baltimore has some very nice areas (check out the Arts District), and many people who live there love it. There is great nightlife and always plenty of activities going on. I've seen quite a few articles recently about more and more young people moving into Baltimore and even commuting from there to Washington.

Yeah, all jokes side, Baltimore has a lot of fun stuff to do and it's a great place between three major cities of Philadelphia, Washington and New York. There's a myriad of different cuisines here, which is also great, and a lot of rich museums if you're into that thing. The inner harbor gets a lot of national recognition, and it's well deserved, but you also have Fells Point, Canton and Fed Hill for night life as well as the Power Plant live. Tons of places to go for hiking, a few beaches, close to Atlantic city and Ocean city.

[The Mom Gene]

Yeah, all jokes side, Baltimore has a lot of fun stuff to do and it's a great place between three major cities of Philadelphia, Washington and New York. There's a myriad of different cuisines here, which is also great, and a lot of rich museums if you're into that thing. The inner harbor gets a lot of national recognition, and it's well deserved, but you also have Fells Point, Canton and Fed Hill for night life as well as the Power Plant live. Tons of places to go for hiking, a few beaches, close to Atlantic city and Ocean city.

As Mod 3 stated...  Mt. Vernon is a pretty nice area as well...  for those that like the artsy thing. 

 

There are many areas outside of the city in "The Burbs" that are very nice...  You can go from City to Country in about 15 minutes.  They call Maryland "Little America"...  Reason being you have rural farms and such.  You have Suburbia in the surrounding areas.  You have the Appalachian Mountains to the West, the Ocean and Beaches to the East.  You have Blue Collar.  You have White Collar.  You have many ethnicities throughout the City and the Counties.  You also have those that are wealthier, and those that are not. 

 

I loved being from Baltimore..  Still do have that Pride of Baltimore.  Worked in Baltimore for years...  So much to see and enjoy.  But, Yes, you have to be careful, as you do in any major city.  I just couldn't endure November to April anymore...  Grey, dreary, wet, damp, cold Winters where shoveling, scraping, and dealing with the traffic during the months of YUCK just got out of hand.  So I relocated 1000 miles South.

[GrimCoconut]

As Mod 3 stated... Mt. Vernon is a pretty nice area as well... for those that like the artsy thing.

There are many areas outside of the city in "The Burbs" that are very nice... You can go from City to Country in about 15 minutes. They call Maryland "Little America"... Reason being you have rural farms and such. You have Suburbia in the surrounding areas. You have the Appalachian Mountains to the West, the Ocean and Beaches to the East. You have Blue Collar. You have White Collar. You have many ethnicities throughout the City and the Counties. You also have those that are wealthier, and those that are not.

I loved being from Baltimore.. Still do have that Pride of Baltimore. Worked in Baltimore for years... So much to see and enjoy. But, Yes, you have to be careful, as you do in any major city. I just couldn't endure November to April anymore... Grey, dreary, wet, damp, cold Winters where shoveling, scraping, and dealing with the traffic during the months of YUCK just got out of hand. So I relocated 1000 miles South.

Can't believe I forgot Mt Vernon lol. Yeah that's a great place. And I've heard and agree with sentiments on the moniker "little America." It has everything except the desert.

[Raven07]

as with any city , or area for that matter, there are good areas and bad areas. the inner harbor is really nice and that side of the city, just be weary if you travel the other side

[The Mom Gene]

Can't believe I forgot Mt Vernon lol. Yeah that's a great place. And I've heard and agree with sentiments on the moniker "little America." It has everything except the desert.

Oh yeah....  and 4 seasons...  as I referenced the Winter....  Spring is beautiful, Summer is Hot as H. E. Double Hockeysticks, and Fall is also beautiful...That's when I usually come up for a game...  This year it's Steelers week....

[Rav'n Maniac]

Just stay out of the wild,wild west of the city.

[The Mom Gene]

Just stay out of the wild,wild west of the city.

And inner East isn't much better

[Rav'n Maniac]

And inner East isn't much better

True. Harford Rd. west till close to Charles St. is a little shaky as well. I've worked in homes in that area but we stay out of the west side if at all possible. Not worth getting your work truck broken into.

[MissK528]

I'm gonna threadjack this a bit... how about the suburbs, specifically the ones north of the city? I'm seriously homesick for Maryland/DC and can't afford where I grew up, so I was thinking the suburbs would be a wee bit safer than the actual city of Baltimore.

[GrimCoconut]

I don't know if it's luck or what, but I have never run into any problems or trouble ever and I've lived in the city practically my whole life, off and on. I've walked through the entire city at one point at night, and never got attacked, robbed, etc. 

[1/28/01]

Baltimore City is gross. Stay away.

Northern Baltimore County or Harford County would be where I'd look. Whoever said Baltimore City is really no different than than any other city. Nope. Statistically it's one of the worst run cities and per capita is one of the most dangerous. I certainly don't want my kids venturing into the city when they get older...if we still live here then.

[GrimCoconut]

Baltimore City is gross. Stay away.

Northern Baltimore County or Harford County would be where I'd look. Whoever said Baltimore City is really no different than than any other city. Nope. Statistically it's one of the worst run cities and per capita is one of the most dangerous. I certainly don't want my kids venturing into the city when they get older...if we still live here then.

That Glen Arm area is really nice. 

[Guest I-70WestRaven]

I was born and raised there. Moved to Illinois in 1975, damn they had the money when I graduated in 1977. Baltimore broke my heart when my grand mother got banked at the bus stop waiting for the  #8 to play bingo! Northern Parkway Jr. Hi. We were the first, Govans, P.S. 213, still love you and damn we are that old? Miss you? I better, break m heart? Yes! Take back your city we were that good and if you ain't that better? Still proud of where I started, show the world why we are the best! Love you Baltimore show  every body why I represent in ,Illinois? You rock it and I am damn proud!

[Rav'n Maniac]

I was born and raised there. Moved to Illinois in 1975, damn they had the money when I graduated in 1977. Baltimore broke my heart when my grand mother got banked at the bus stop waiting for the  #8 to play bingo! Northern Parkway Jr. Hi. We were the first, Govans, P.S. 213, still love you and damn we are that old? Miss you? I better, break m heart? Yes! Take back your city we were that good and if you ain't that better? Still proud of where I started, show the world why we are the best! Love you Baltimore show  every body why I represent in ,Illinois? You rock it and I am damn proud!

I went to Northern Parkway for 9th grade the first year it was open. Man, what a culture shock it was coming from parochial school.

[The Mom Gene]

I grew up in Owings Mills...  It's still nice in certain areas out there.  Painters Mill, and West of Reisterstown... Eldersburg isn't bad either...  My husband is from Towson/Cockeysville...  It's very nice out there.

[1/28/01]

That Glen Arm area is really nice.

Sure is and thank you. Now take my opinion with a grain of salt. I live on a few acres and generally hate morons. And the city is chock full of morons and no land.

[1/28/01]

I was born and raised there. Moved to Illinois in 1975, damn they had the money when I graduated in 1977. Baltimore broke my heart when my grand mother got banked at the bus stop waiting for the #8 to play bingo! Northern Parkway Jr. Hi. We were the first, Govans, P.S. 213, still love you and damn we are that old? Miss you? I better, break m heart? Yes! Take back your city we were that good and if you ain't that better? Still proud of where I started, show the world why we are the best! Love you Baltimore show every body why I represent in ,Illinois? You rock it and I am damn proud!

I love your posts because I never understand a damn thing.

[gtalk12]

As Mod 3 stated...  Mt. Vernon is a pretty nice area as well...  for those that like the artsy thing. 

 

There are many areas outside of the city in "The Burbs" that are very nice...  You can go from City to Country in about 15 minutes.  They call Maryland "Little America"...  Reason being you have rural farms and such.  You have Suburbia in the surrounding areas.  You have the Appalachian Mountains to the West, the Ocean and Beaches to the East.  You have Blue Collar.  You have White Collar.  You have many ethnicities throughout the City and the Counties.  You also have those that are wealthier, and those that are not. 

 

I loved being from Baltimore..  Still do have that Pride of Baltimore.  Worked in Baltimore for years...  So much to see and enjoy.  But, Yes, you have to be careful, as you do in any major city.  I just couldn't endure November to April anymore...  Grey, dreary, wet, damp, cold Winters where shoveling, scraping, and dealing with the traffic during the months of YUCK just got out of hand.  So I relocated 1000 miles South.

 

 

South? Where? I'm currently in South Florida

[FlocksGottaFeed]

I've lived all over the Baltimore Metropolitan Area at some point over my younger years (East, West, North and South) At every stop there was a different culture that showed a different array of people and lifestyles. This taught me adaptation and it's importance. Whether dining in a 5star in the Art District, a greasy spoon diner in old Fellspoint/Canton or a mom-and-pop store front Westside or Towson, it was as simple as getting to know what to order to experience the best food available. I almost always found 'my' perfect tasting meal. However most importantly to master that, you have to get to know the people first. Until then, just use a tourist guide.

 

That's the thing about Bmore. There's always someone willing to share or give you hometown advice as to what would suit you even if it's something that doesn't particularly suits them. If you know who to ask and have an idea of what you're looking for...Baltimore people are like 'Southern Hospitality' directors. Unlike many other cities, you can ask directions to anywhere and many will know 2 or 3 ways to get you there and even give you a couple of other places you can go that suit you. Baltimore folks read others well. It's all about adaptation. Real Baltimore people are genuine with very little pretense so recognizing and respecting this is important.

 

That said - I've lived in many places in later years, but Baltimore prepared me for everyone from New York to LA to Charlotte to Atlanta to Europe. It's diverse, multicultural, small town/big town, ethnic, Northern/Southern and authentic. There's a 'niche' for anyone there who is adaptive enough to know where they want to be and how to get there. You can't get that from a tourist guide.

 

No matter where I end-up, it will always be home for me. In the words of Ed Reed, "I love Baltimore!!!"

[Guest I-70WestRaven]

I love your posts because I never understand a damn thing.

If you do, please let me know!  Hate to think I make any sense now, workin' hard out here!

[Guest I-70WestRaven]

I went to Northern Parkway for 9th grade the first year it was open. Man, what a culture shock it was coming from parochial school.

I was there in the 7th grade, the first year it was open and dang!  Rode the # 44 with my bus tickets and still would today! What was that thing in front?  I just figured it was my fault, shoot Govans? 

[Rav'n Maniac]

I was there in the 7th grade, the first year it was open and dang!  Rode the # 44 with my bus tickets and still would today! What was that thing in front?  I just figured it was my fault, shoot Govans? 

Ha, you mean the big, white twizzler?