Baltimore Area Housing

[clinicalpsyapp]

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So I have narrowed my list down to two schools, but am still on first alternate status at one. The school I have been accepted to is in the Baltimore area (UMBC) and I will be going to visit it next weekend (I was already accepted via phone interview). I would like to move early this summer, no matter where I get in, as my lease will be up for my current apartment. Therefore, I'd like to combine this visit with looking at potential apartments in case I end up attending UMBC. I have zero experience with the Baltimore area and feel like I've seen quite a few people on these boards from the Baltimore/DC area, so I was hoping some of you could give suggestions.

I have no idea what to look for as far as neighborhoods, etc. I know that UMBC is in Catonsville, but I prefer living in the city vs. the suburbs. I'm looking for advice on what neighborhoods to look in or to be sure to avoid, but any other advice would be great. My ideal place would be 1 BR, hardwood floors, dog allowed... and obviously affordable on a grad student stipend!

 

[robinsena]

I'm not from Baltimore, but I visited it recently during my internship interview rounds. From what I hear from the interns, Baltimore is an interesting city because one block can be safe and the next block down can be dicey. MD locals may be able to tell you more, but I've found city-data.com to be helpful. You may want to check the Baltimore board here: http://www.city-data.com/forum/baltimore/ for more housing info. I remember skimming through some of the posts when I was considering some sites at Baltimore to get a feel of where I may find myself living should I match there. Hope it helps.

 

[PhDToBe]

i am from baltimore, but the county. you REALLY need to be careful in the city. near johns hopkins is okay. and i think some parts near MICA (an art school) are okay. fells point and federal hill are okay, but expensive. also, around the inner harbor, but, like you said, don't travel too far from right around the harbor, although this, too, is a bit expensive. also, parts of hamden are okay. if you need any more help, i can talk to my friends and family about which parts are best.

also, bmore has tons of traffic so you might want to live closer to catonsville, but if you're set on the city, then the above should guide you a little.

 

[LGPsychology]

.

 

[HopefulStudent8]

I grew up in Maryland, but as a disclaimer, I haven't lived there in 6 years.
Two things to keep in mind in addition to what others have said. #1) traffic in the Baltimore/DC area is HORRIBLE. Probably a close second behind LA traffic. Therefore, I wouldn't live further from your school than you have to, unless you can get there avoiding the highways. #2) I've never lived in Baltimore proper, but I did stay in a dog friendly hotel this summer near the inner harbor (where most of the night-life is in downtown Baltimore), and found it really hard to find places to walk my dog. As the other posters have mentioned, there can be a sketchy crowd there so I was uneasy walking her at night, even though I went to school in Philly and I am used to city life. Good luck I'm sure that you'll find what you're looking for. Also keep in mind that there are lots of fun colleges nearby (Towson, for one) and so there are fun areas to live other than the downtown area that are probably much safer.

 

[psychnic]

I grew up in Maryland, but as a disclaimer, I haven't lived there in 6 years.
Two things to keep in mind in addition to what others have said. #1) traffic in the Baltimore/DC area is HORRIBLE. Probably a close second behind LA traffic. Therefore, I wouldn't live further from your school than you have to, unless you can get there avoiding the highways. #2) I've never lived in Baltimore proper, but I did stay in a dog friendly hotel this summer near the inner harbor (where most of the night-life is in downtown Baltimore), and found it really hard to find places to walk my dog. As the other posters have mentioned, there can be a sketchy crowd there so I was uneasy walking her at night, even though I went to school in Philly and I am used to city life. Good luck I'm sure that you'll find what you're looking for. Also keep in mind that there are lots of fun colleges nearby (Towson, for one) and so there are fun areas to live other than the downtown area that are probably much safer.

+1, I would definitely consider the county, especially Towson. A lot of my family (including cousins in their 20s) live there and it is safe, with plenty of things to do. Finding a safe place in the city seems to be very hit or miss.

 

[CatoftheCanals]

Federal Hill is snazzy, but may be on the expensive side.

You could also go the way of suburbia and live in Columbia, as a good many of the grad students at UMBC seemed to when I interviewed there.

There's also Ellicot City.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

If you live in b'more city:

-Federal Hill
-Canton (I like closer to Canton Square, but it is personal preference)
-Fells Point

The above places can all be very nice, but they can be pricey (In order from most to least). They are more yuppie than urban. Each neighborhood has their own charm.

-Charles Village
-Mt. Vernon

These are nice neighborhoods too, and may or may not be as expensive as the neighborhoods above. They have more of a post-college artsy feel compared to Fed Hill, Canton, etc.

The issue with anything in B'more is the commute. You'll be going against traffic so that can help a little bit, but there will still be traffic. Ellicott City has some nice areas (particular in Old E. City), but I'm not sure about pricing and the night life.

 

[psychapps]

+1, I would definitely consider the county, especially Towson. A lot of my family (including cousins in their 20s) live there and it is safe, with plenty of things to do. Finding a safe place in the city seems to be very hit or miss.

I second Towson as a decent, safe place to live. Very suburban, but has plenty to do. But Towson's about 30 minutes away and the most efficient way to UMBC is to take 695 (Baltimore's beltway), which can get really clogged during rush hour.

For that reason, I'd also stay away from the city itself. It's got some really nice areas (as well as some crappy ones), but traffic makes it the kind of place you want to visit and explore, not live.

Ellicott City's nice, as is Catonsville, and both are pretty close to UMBC. With Ellicott City, you just want to stay away from the "historic downtown" area, which is pretty but has narrow streets and tourists galore.

 

[LM02]

This may be obvious, but talk to the current students and ask where they live. They will know the area, convenience to campus, where other students live, etc.

 

[dynapsych]

I moved to Baltimore for graduate school from a small, midwestern city back in 2000. While I agree with much of what people have already said re: neighborhoods, traffic, and safety, I have also found that peoples' perceptions crime and safety in the city are sometimes exaggerated. If you want "city living" you should definitely go for it, although I also agree that Towson provides the best of both worlds.

 

[clinicalpsyapp]

Thanks so much for your advice everyone!

 

[PhDToBe]

I lived in Towson until a year ago, and it's actually starting to get a lot more dangerous, especially right around the university. There are a lot of armed robberies, and even some sexual assaults, but definitely safer than many parts of the city. Also, Towson is pretty far (40+ minutes) from UMBC.

 

[clinicalpsyapp]

If I did live in Catonsville, or somewhere closer to UMBC, is there a lot available in the area? Or is it really just houses and universities and if I want good nightlife or restaurants I have to go in to Baltimore or DC? Plus I will probably need to get into the city for practicum, etc... but that's not until Year 2. I know I can ask the current students all these questions, but I wanted to set up appointments to look at apartments during the weekend I go to visit, so I want to have some idea in advance. Thanks so much, everyone!!

 

[Aura5]

I live in Maryland. Not in Baltimore. Not sure why/how exactly, but I grew up with the impression that downtown Baltimore = Watch your back!!! The Inner Harbor itself seems safe and cozy but...again by hearsay some areas of Baltimore city are pretty bad. Maryland's kind of expensive as far as living, too..so some place more in the boonies would be a lot cheaper too. But again, maybe the notion of downtown being dicey and sketchy is over-exaggerated...I don't know, because I didn't go there too often.

 

[wagwise]

ive grown up in bmore and i still live here while getting my m.s. def agree with the guy who said u gotta watch ur back. we're famous for crabs and murder, lol.

that being said there are nice areas everywhere! decide if you wanna walk or drive more. walkers like the city, drivers like the county. there are nice places to live in both areas. if you have any specific questions feel free to pm me!!!!

best wishes!