Need Advice on Moving to Baltimore (Oakland: apartment, for rent, crime)

[mztransformation]

I have always had fun when I've come to Baltimore.

I live outside of DC now, and I just don't like it here. Nothing excites me outside of my family and all the *great* cultural events there are to do here. Although, I really like the feeling of Black prosperity I get here, which I haven't really found anywhere else in the country.

So, like I said, every time I've been to Bmore, I've had a good time. I think the people maybe feel more free, less pretentious to me?

Maybe.

So now, I am in need of a new change. And I have a 1 year old son now. Since I dont want to move too far away from my family, I think Bmore is a good choice.

The only other place in the country I could say that I truly LOVED was San Francisco-Oakland. The parks, the freedom loving people, the specialness....great music, great food. people that are 'different' (i am not feeling the conservatism of DC anymore...I want to find this in my new neighborhood.

I want to move to a good neighborhood in Baltimore that is good for me (nice places in walking distance, safe area for walking - I LOVE to take walks, lots of single people around - i'm single and looking, a good feeling in the neighborhood), and my son (good school even if i have to pay for private school, library in walking distance, and parks, maybe even kid friendly stuff not TOO far away). I like a mix of culture i.e. not too white. not exclusively black either.

Is there a neighborhood like this that is 'funky' lol for lack of a better word. SAFE. stores/grocery in walking distance. good people. CLEAN.

Where should I live? I need a 3 bedroom apartment. not house. i prefer an apt.

It may sound like a tall order for a new 'hood, but we live under infinite possibilities so...

Can somebody help me? I am moving this Spring.

tks.

[Rushmore]

Originally Posted by mztransformation

I have always had fun when I've come to Baltimore.

I live outside of DC now, and I just don't like it here. Nothing excites me outside of my family and all the *great* cultural events there are to do here. Although, I really like the feeling of Black prosperity I get here, which I haven't really found anywhere else in the country.

So, like I said, every time I've been to Bmore, I've had a good time. I think the people maybe feel more free, less pretentious to me?

Maybe.

So now, I am in need of a new change. And I have a 1 year old son now. Since I dont want to move too far away from my family, I think Bmore is a good choice.

The only other place in the country I could say that I truly LOVED was San Francisco-Oakland. The parks, the freedom loving people, the specialness....great music, great food. people that are 'different' (i am not feeling the conservatism of DC anymore...I want to find this in my new neighborhood.

I want to move to a good neighborhood in Baltimore that is good for me (nice places in walking distance, safe area for walking - I LOVE to take walks, lots of single people around - i'm single and looking, a good feeling in the neighborhood), and my son (good school even if i have to pay for private school, library in walking distance, and parks, maybe even kid friendly stuff not TOO far away). I like a mix of culture i.e. not too white. not exclusively black either.

Is there a neighborhood like this that is 'funky' lol for lack of a better word. SAFE. stores/grocery in walking distance. good people. CLEAN.

Where should I live? I need a 3 bedroom apartment. not house. i prefer an apt.

It may sound like a tall order for a new 'hood, but we live under infinite possibilities so...

Can somebody help me? I am moving this Spring.

tks.

Sounds like Canton.

[mztransformation]

plz.

[jonjj]

Forget Canton. If you want a truely diverse neighborhood: Mt. Vernon, Patterson Park, Charles Village. There are others. Refer to the "sticky" at the beginning of the Bmore threads for starting ideas.

[Rushmore]

Originally Posted by jonjj

Forget Canton. If you want a truely diverse neighborhood: Mt. Vernon, Patterson Park, Charles Village. There are others. Refer to the "sticky" at the beginning of the Bmore threads for starting ideas.

With a one-year old? Maybe Patterson Park, but I wouldn't think Mt. Vernon or Charles Village. Hm.

I suggested Canton (not Canton Square particularly) because of the singles aspect, and also because it sounds like he really wants a walking neighborhood (which Canton obviously is).

Well, obviously walking each of these neighborhoods at various times of day would make sense.

[dfredward]

Welcome to Baltimore. You don't mention how much you can budget for rent.

[are you kidinme?]

You posted SAFE and CLEAN in capital letters. I can't think of anywhere, honestly, in Baltimore that would meet your requirements. Others will say they never see trash and crime happens everywhere. Do your self a huge favor. Don't believe me or the pollyannas. Visit the suggested neighborhoods and see for yourself.

[mrboltonman]

Hampden is funky and is a really neat area.

[KennyP]

Canton is not clean. It's as safe as you can get in Baltimore City (which isn't all that safe), but under no circumstances should be mistaken for clean.

There's litter everywhere. It's pretty gross.

[Bong477]

There's no place in Baltimore that really SAFE and CLEAN in capital letters except maybe Roland Park which isn't particularly diverse or walkable. Its really more suburbs than city, although techinically in the city limits so you still get the joys of high taxes and crappy public schools.

Canton, Locust Point, Federal Hill, Mt Vernon, Hampden all meet part of your criteria but none of them are even close to meeting them all.