From where to where?

[nicu4leo]

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Hi All-

I have (with some tears) decided to leave my beloved Brooklyn for Washington DC (which I have heard great things about!). I am wondering if anyone here can give me some insight on the neighborhoods in DC... I have heard some good things about Adams Morgan, U Street Corridor..Thanks for your help in advance!

 

[Psyched2525]

Hi All-

I have (with some tears) decided to leave my beloved Brooklyn for Washington DC (which I have heard great things about!). I am wondering if anyone here can give me some insight on the neighborhoods in DC... I have heard some good things about Adams Morgan, U Street Corridor..Thanks for your help in advance!

Just wanted to say hello to a fellow BK!! I'm staying here for another year as I have no acceptances! I suppose more time at the promenade isn't terrible.

 

[BuckeyeAlum]

I'm hoping on the Chicago train too (or the El, in this case)! Since I've been in the Midwest (Columbus, OH) for the past six years, it's not a big move geographically. I'm a little intimidated by such a big city, but I know once I master it a little, I will love it!!

 

[TexaninDC]

Hi All-

I have (with some tears) decided to leave my beloved Brooklyn for Washington DC (which I have heard great things about!). I am wondering if anyone here can give me some insight on the neighborhoods in DC... I have heard some good things about Adams Morgan, U Street Corridor..Thanks for your help in advance!

Welcome to DC! You will love it here. Feel free to PM me with any questions. There are great neighborhoods around the area that I can recommend depending on what you are looking for (price, distance to school, proximity to bars/social scene, etc). AdMo and U st are pretty cool spots but they aren't too close to many of the schools and are slightly hit or miss on safety/affordability. If people tell you to avoid living on the red line they probably don't live on it. 🙂 feel free to ask me questions. I'm on my way to visit Kansas city myself and might leave DC but I definitely love it here and know it pretty well. Congrats!

 

[AlaskanJustin]

Hi All-

I have (with some tears) decided to leave my beloved Brooklyn for Washington DC (which I have heard great things about!). I am wondering if anyone here can give me some insight on the neighborhoods in DC... I have heard some good things about Adams Morgan, U Street Corridor..Thanks for your help in advance!

I too could help you out with this one, spent the last years dealing with this. Remember that DC is surrounded by maryland and Virginia. I live in Bethesda, which is right next to DC but where I live on the red line is cheaper and safer than AdMo, Dupont, etc... when I moved here the best advice I was given was to not live any lower than Dupont... and frankly I dont think many can afford to live in Foggy Bottom (where GW is) Georgetown (where obviously Georgetown is), Tenleytown might not be too expensive (where American is) but I wouldnt want to risk it, Van Ness would be nice for sure (where UDC is) and then on the other side of the red (where Catholic U, Howard, and Gallaudet are) the only places I would live at are Silver Spring station and above (on the red line). I lived off the Glenmont station for a year and loved it because it was a huge place with washer dryer etc for relatively cheap, plus downtown Silver Spring is nice.

My roommates and I would be happy to host you or anyone else that is wanting to check out apartments, in fact since I am moving my roommates are also currently apartment hunting, so you or anyone else would be more than welcome to come down and check that out (I am a male living with two females and another male, ton of room though)...

Just take the bolt or megabus down!

good luck!

(ps I am moving to NYC so I would totally pick your brain on it)

 

[nicu4leo]

Just wanted to say hello to a fellow BK!! I'm staying here for another year as I have no acceptances! I suppose more time at the promenade isn't terrible.

Brooklyn love! I am sitting with one acceptance- my luck that it was to one of my top two choices! I will keep the faith that maybe something will pull through for you my friend 🙂

 

[nicu4leo]

Hey Alaskan & Texan-
Thanks for reaching out! I am figuring that I will make my way down to DC at some point this spring/summer to check out the neighborhoods... Definitely must get 1st person impressions before committing to live anywhere! I will be at GWU, but I am not really feeling Foggy Bottom/Georgetown area (also way out of my price range I think). I am thinking that a studio around the 1200-1300 range is about my max. Distance to the school is not really a big deal to me... I have become accostumed to lengthy subway or bike traveling. I am also not much a late night person so club/bar scene is not a priority either!

 

[Psyched2525]

Brooklyn love! I am sitting with one acceptance- my luck that it was to one of my top two choices! I will keep the faith that maybe something will pull through for you my friend 🙂

Awweee thanks! I'll be trying again next year and breaking the world record for number of application cycles-which will be 4 next year.

Have fun in DC!

 

[AlaskanJustin]

Hey Alaskan & Texan-
Thanks for reaching out! I am figuring that I will make my way down to DC at some point this spring/summer to check out the neighborhoods... Definitely must get 1st person impressions before committing to live anywhere! I will be at GWU, but I am not really feeling Foggy Bottom/Georgetown area (also way out of my price range I think). I am thinking that a studio around the 1200-1300 range is about my max. Distance to the school is not really a big deal to me... I have become accostumed to lengthy subway or bike traveling. I am also not much a late night person so club/bar scene is not a priority either!

Then my advice would be to look at Rockville (maybe as high as shady grove but probably not) definitely Rockville (i.e., White Flint, Twinbrook, and Rockville metro stops) and it starts getting more expensive down into Bethesda (aka Grosvenor, Medical Center, and Bethesda stops).

Seriously if night scene and distance isnt an issue, its worth the 45 minute metro ride from Rocvkille, because you will find a nice 1 bedroom, with washer and dryer, d/w etc for less than a studio in DC! Its nothing like NYC trust me Im learning this myself.

 

[hamsterpants]

Any Philly tips gratefully accepted!

I have lived in SF (and Berkeley too) for a LONNNNG time so can probably answer a lot of questions anyone has about the area.

 

[lamorena]

.

 

[TexaninDC]

Hey Alaskan & Texan-
Thanks for reaching out! I am figuring that I will make my way down to DC at some point this spring/summer to check out the neighborhoods... Definitely must get 1st person impressions before committing to live anywhere! I will be at GWU, but I am not really feeling Foggy Bottom/Georgetown area (also way out of my price range I think). I am thinking that a studio around the 1200-1300 range is about my max. Distance to the school is not really a big deal to me... I have become accostumed to lengthy subway or bike traveling. I am also not much a late night person so club/bar scene is not a priority either!

I'm not a fan of long commutes so I probably wouldn't go as far as Rockville myself considering you have to transfer lines and not sure what your hours could be like. AJ's advice however is pretty solid. Not sure if you're open to roommates as that can be hit or miss but your share of a two bedroom is in your range in some places on the orange line (courthouse, Clarendon). You might not get all the ammenities. I've heard horror stories from friends who've done the craigslist route but I've only had good experiences with the roomates I've found. I'm currently in a 2 bedroom (roughly 1100 sq ft) in van ness and pay 1100 for my share. Includes utilities and cable/int. I felt I could get more in a 2 bedroom than a studio which will run you a little more in the city. I strongly recommend van ness. Not sure if you'll find studios in your range there but I love living there. It is a very family friendly area (I walk past a Montessori school everyday and kids are cute) but you're walking distance to Cleveland park (my fav dc area) and even the zoo/admo area. Beautiful to walk around there. I would also live on blue line around Arlington. I'm not into biking but the MT Vernon trail is along that area and goes up into gtown foggy bottom and I see bikers on there all the time. Crystal city and pentagon city would be places to check out but not sure if studios are in your range. My gf live in crystal city and blue line to foggy bottom takes about five to ten min during rush hour maybe less. My commute to foggy bottom from van ness in rush hr is about 20-30 min from my door. During non rush hr when trains esp on red line (my one beef with red) can be longer. Trains can run 20 min apart on weekends so that commute can go up to an hr. Doesn't sound like you mind it but if you can cut down on your commute why wouldn't you.

 

[nicu4leo]

Hey Guys-

Thanks for the information- definitely competing perspectives on the way to go with living in DC, which I appreciate! I did have another question for you about apartment searching (you can pm if you wish).. Up in NYC craigslist is a popular way to look for apts..is that the case in DC or are there other resources i should look into?

thanks again!

 

[AlaskanJustin]

Hey Guys-

Thanks for the information- definitely competing perspectives on the way to go with living in DC, which I appreciate! I did have another question for you about apartment searching (you can pm if you wish).. Up in NYC craigslist is a popular way to look for apts..is that the case in DC or are there other resources i should look into?

thanks again!

Craigslist is as solid as in NYC, you just have to check it out first! And Texin's advice is solid too actually, if I had the chance of lviing in Van Ness I would have. I had never lived in a "big city" so it was transitions for me, plus I was going to the medical center stop so I wanted to live close to it. Plenty of people do the DC bit and love it. And I would thoroughly agree that Van Ness is probably the best area, if you want the DC feel 9thoroughly agree, i went with friends yesterday apartment hunting and its a sexy area, no joke)

Craigslist, and/or ClubPCR (its run by IRTAs from the NIH, but lots of people use it that are our age). ClubPCR is a yahoo group, you can join no worries

J

 

[ygolohcysp]

...

 

[lamorena]

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[hamsterpants]

Those of you who are moving great distances, how are you handling it?

I am tempted to get rid of everything and start fresh. I don't have a lot of stuff as I already live in a studio and my stuff is not nice. But starting fresh will be tough on the wallet esp. in a new city and with no car. There are a couple things I NEED to get rid of like my bed which is old and uncomfortable but I have a loveseat, bookshelf, dresser and kitchen table + chairs which would work perfectly fine in most places.

UHAUL is pretty much out. I don't drive for one thing so it would be hard to do on my own, I am strong for my size but I'm a small female, and I have heard it can be pricy to do UHAUL long distance. What about those pod things where you load up your stuff in a box and they deliver? anyone try those yet?

and how am I going to get my lovely kitty there? He does have an airport approved carrier so I guess that is one option. I hate moving and have never moved cross country. I moved abroad when I was younger but I basically had no stuff. (and no cat)

Ideas? I'm feeling stressed.

 

[PsychPhDone]

Those of you who are moving great distances, how are you handling it?

I am tempted to get rid of everything and start fresh. I don't have a lot of stuff as I already live in a studio and my stuff is not nice. But starting fresh will be tough on the wallet esp. in a new city and with no car. There are a couple things I NEED to get rid of like my bed which is old and uncomfortable but I have a loveseat, bookshelf, dresser and kitchen table + chairs which would work perfectly fine in most places.

UHAUL is pretty much out. I don't drive for one thing so it would be hard to do on my own, I am strong for my size but I'm a small female, and I have heard it can be pricy to do UHAUL long distance. What about those pod things where you load up your stuff in a box and they deliver? anyone try those yet?

and how am I going to get my lovely kitty there? He does have an airport approved carrier so I guess that is one option. I hate moving and have never moved cross country. I moved abroad when I was younger but I basically had no stuff. (and no cat)

Ideas? I'm feeling stressed.

depending on which area you move to (I will send you info soon!) it might be not worth it to bring much stuff. if you get a walk up, it could be a huge effort to lug everything up the stairs. you should know there is a lively craigslist market there if you want to buy used, and there is also an ikea that delivers in philadelphia

 

[lexicon]

Those of you who are moving great distances, how are you handling it?

The pod things work pretty well. Two of my friends have used it for cross-country moving. However it is quite expensive -- maybe $2k for a cross-country move.

Do you have anyone who can help you with the move? A friend or family member? Even 1 person there to help you can make SUCH a difference. I am a pretty independent person, but moving cross country was quite lonely for me when I did it alone.

If you don't have someone to help you then your best (and by best I mean cheapest) bet will be to get rid of most of what you own and ship the rest via slow service like UPS ground. Philly has an Ikea, so there will be nice cheap Ikea stuff on Craigslist

Last time I moved I did a length desensitization training with my cat. I used a clicker and taught him to have positive associations to the carrier, the car, car trips. I also got a sedative for him from the vet, but I didn't end up using it because our behavioral work had done so well. (He's also a very docile, loving cat so I had temperament working to my advantage, ymmv).

P.S.: Bay Area love! I grew up in SF and miss it sooooooo much.

 

[hamsterpants]

depending on which area you move to (I will send you info soon!) it might be not worth it to bring much stuff. if you get a walk up, it could be a huge effort to lug everything up the stairs. you should know there is a lively craigslist market there if you want to buy used, and there is also an ikea that delivers in philadelphia

Thank you! Yes, I love used furniture and have made good use of craigslist.
I am not a fan of IKEA but it is good to know there is the option. Is there a Target in Philly? I happen to be a tad obsessed with Target 😉

I currently live in a building from 1906 so I know the pitfalls of not having an elevator. I also relish the idea of starting fresh, as I really believe this is a new stage of my life.

 

[PsychPhDone]

Thank you! Yes, I love used furniture and have made good use of craigslist.
I am not a fan of IKEA but it is good to know there is the option. Is there a Target in Philly? I happen to be a tad obsessed with Target 😉

I currently live in a building from 1906 so I know the pitfalls of not having an elevator. I also relish the idea of starting fresh, as I really believe this is a new stage of my life.

Unfortunately there are no Targets downtown or in the immediately walkable area to places I think you will want to live. You'll need a car (you can sign up for phillycarshare) to get to a target and do adequate shopping...but if you're buying furniture, you can maybe rent a uhaul for the day? There are a few targets outside downtown...one in the Bala Cynwyd-ish area and one near IKEA are ones that come to mind.

 

[lamorena]

.

 

[StressFest2010]

Currently finishing my MA in Clinical Psych at the University of Dayton in OH. I will be moving to Kansas for PhD in Clinical at Wichita State University. Not too worried about the move as I'm excited to see more of the country. I am moving into tornado alley though! Hopefully my experience isn't as frightening as Dorothy's 😱

 

[elphaba]

Those of you who are moving great distances, how are you handling it?

I am tempted to get rid of everything and start fresh. I don't have a lot of stuff as I already live in a studio and my stuff is not nice. But starting fresh will be tough on the wallet esp. in a new city and with no car. There are a couple things I NEED to get rid of like my bed which is old and uncomfortable but I have a loveseat, bookshelf, dresser and kitchen table + chairs which would work perfectly fine in most places.

UHAUL is pretty much out. I don't drive for one thing so it would be hard to do on my own, I am strong for my size but I'm a small female, and I have heard it can be pricy to do UHAUL long distance. What about those pod things where you load up your stuff in a box and they deliver? anyone try those yet?

and how am I going to get my lovely kitty there? He does have an airport approved carrier so I guess that is one option. I hate moving and have never moved cross country. I moved abroad when I was younger but I basically had no stuff. (and no cat)

Ideas? I'm feeling stressed.

I'm in a similar situation and am feeling quite stressed, too! I'm still trying to weigh the financial pros and cons of just coughing up the money for a truck that would enable me to take furniture versus re-buying when I arrive, but at this point it looks like UHaul is basically out simply because of price (upwards of $2k for a 1500 mile move!)... same thing with the pods, unfortunately. At this point, I'm thinking I'm probably going to get rid of most of my big furniture and just re-buy when I get there. The (very tentative) plan at the moment is to rent a 15-passenger van, take most of the seats out, and just cram as much as I can into that and replace whatever doesn't fit! That seems like the most feasible option at the moment even though I don't love the idea of getting rid of some of my stuff.

How are you long-distance movers going about the apartment search?? I've been somewhat obsessively looking at places on craigslist, but it's SO hard to really judge a place based on a two-line description and a couple blurry photos. I'll likely end up traveling to my new city early in the summer to check out places in-person, but I'm finding this to be the most daunting aspect of the moving process. I have zero experience with the city I'm moving to and I'm not sure at this point whether or not I'll be able to afford a car, which make everything even more complicated. STRESS. Seriously. Any tips? Any other websites besides craigslist that you guys have found to be legit and useful?

 

[dr squared]

From the NYC metro area to Waco, TX.... oy.

 

[TexaninDC]

on my way to Kansas City. Thanks to those who had suggestions on things to do while in KC (t4c, AJ and someone who's name I forgot) before my visit. Oklahoma Joe's was fantastic (not Texas BBQ fantastic, but I guess we can't compare). I enjoyed the city and the program. Now to find a place to live. From DC and Houston if anyone has questions about either that I can help out with.

 

[hamsterpants]

The pod things work pretty well. Two of my friends have used it for cross-country moving. However it is quite expensive -- maybe $2k for a cross-country move.

Do you have anyone who can help you with the move? A friend or family member? Even 1 person there to help you can make SUCH a difference. I am a pretty independent person, but moving cross country was quite lonely for me when I did it alone.

If you don't have someone to help you then your best (and by best I mean cheapest) bet will be to get rid of most of what you own and ship the rest via slow service like UPS ground. Philly has an Ikea, so there will be nice cheap Ikea stuff on Craigslist

Last time I moved I did a length desensitization training with my cat. I used a clicker and taught him to have positive associations to the carrier, the car, car trips. I also got a sedative for him from the vet, but I didn't end up using it because our behavioral work had done so well. (He's also a very docile, loving cat so I had temperament working to my advantage, ymmv).

P.S.: Bay Area love! I grew up in SF and miss it sooooooo much.

Wow. Did not realize the pods would be so pricy? Do you know the names of the companies your friends used? I would like to at least check them out.

I do have friends who could help but I am loathe to ask because at 35, in SF, I have moved and asked for help more than once. and I likely would not be able to return the favor. My brother helped once when I moved stuff from Oakland to LA and he would likely help again but he just got married and is a surgeon now on fellowship so his schedule is insane.

Thanks for the UPS Ground idea. Any idea how long it takes? I have also been blessed with a very sweet loving kitty. But I do know this process will be stressful for him and even a trip to the vet seems harsh on his nerves (and mine). I have always been curious about the clicker and will talk to the vet about other options.

SF Rules! I will miss it, maybe I could come back for internship.

 

[hamsterpants]

Unfortunately there are no Targets downtown or in the immediately walkable area to places I think you will want to live. You'll need a car (you can sign up for phillycarshare) to get to a target and do adequate shopping...but if you're buying furniture, you can maybe rent a uhaul for the day? There are a few targets outside downtown...one in the Bala Cynwyd-ish area and one near IKEA are ones that come to mind.

Yay, Targets!

Unfortunately I do not drive, as having a car is more of a liability in SF than a convenience and I haven't really had the time, money or inclination to get a license. That may have to change. The carshare thing is big here and I like the idea. One of my rationales was that I didn't need a license because I could not afford a car anyway. But this is a good compromise.

 

[hamsterpants]

if you live in south philly, you will be close to the target (and ikea--same general area). i go to target often, i can relate to your obsession 🙂 my husband went to temple for grad school, and you just hop on the subway (broad street line) and you are at temple in like 20 minutes from south philly. easy. if you wont have a car, philly car share is a good way to go like the above poster said.

not to mention, certain parts of south philly are very close to center city. where i live, im a 15 minute walk from some parts of center city, about a 30 minute walk from rittenhouse square. philadelphia is a very walkable city. or, you can get a bike--lots of people ride their bike in the city--and get anywhere you need to go fairly easily.

South Philly sounds like the place for me so far. Esp. because it sounds like there is good italian food 😛

 

[hamsterpants]

How are folks financing their moves? Is there any way to get federal loans early??

 

[lexicon]

How are folks financing their moves? Is there any way to get federal loans early??

Do you have a credit card? 🙁 Normally I am not a proponent of credit cards, but sometimes they are needed to bridge emergency gaps.

 

[tpink]

How are folks financing their moves? Is there any way to get federal loans early??

I saved most of my tax refund, and then plan on banking more than half of each of my paychecks until I move.

Also my fam is throwing a graduation/house warming/going away party for me, so I'm hoping for some generous gifts then. lol 🙂

 

[PhDToBe]

Hey everyone,

My friends recently moved from Maryland to Maine, and used a not-well-known (at least to me) one-way moving truck compant, and I believe they spent less than $800 altogether.

I cannot remember the name of the company, but I will ask my friends tomorrow...I know people think they're running out of cheaper alternatives to U-Hauls, and I am hoping I will be able to provide people with a nice solution.

 

[PsyDWannabe]

Thank you! Yes, I love used furniture .....

What?? LOL!! I have no idea why but that statement made me burst out laughing out loud You love used furniture?

Lol, just joshin'. Besides, that's the same reaction other people have towards me when I tell them that the best pizza in the world is the 'albino' pizza with 3 lonely pepperoni that they served at my high school cafeteria.

 

[hamsterpants]

What?? LOL!! I have no idea why but that statement made me burst out laughing out loud You love used furniture?

Lol, just joshin'. Besides, that's the same reaction other people have towards me when I tell them that the best pizza in the world is the 'albino' pizza with 3 lonely pepperoni that they served at my high school cafeteria.

I do! It has soul. I like real wood (not that crap they sell at Ikea). I used to have this beautiful dresser that belonged to someone's grandparents and I liked to think about who used it, what their life was like. I like the look of some older stuff too. obviously I don't just like it because it is secondhand, I won't buy used IKEA stuff ferinstance but for my budget, the stuff that suites my tastes is usually used. You can get some cool stuff- even free- because most folks like new modern stuff. also, I am crap at putting things together.

 

[PhDToBe]

The name of the moving company my friends used was Budget. It cost $550 for them to move from Maryland to Maine, and pull their car behind.
Hope this helps people!

 

[Sunshine3710]

I just got my official offer letter from Hofstra, so now I can post on here! 😀

I will be moving from the (South) Bay Area, California to Long Island, New York! Such a big change, since I've lived in Northern California my entire life, but I'm ready for it! Although I will have to buy much warmer clothes for the winter.... 🙂

 

[hamsterpants]

I just got my official offer letter from Hofstra, so now I can post on here! 😀

I will be moving from the (South) Bay Area, California to Long Island, New York! Such a big change, since I've lived in Northern California my entire life, but I'm ready for it! Although I will have to buy much warmer clothes for the winter.... 🙂

you and me both 😉

 

[Sunshine3710]

you and me both 😉

haha, yeah I'm laughing to myself because of the "chilly" weather this week... 60 degrees isn't really cold, but I'm a silly Californian.

 

[lexicon]

Wow. Did not realize the pods would be so pricy? Do you know the names of the companies your friends used? I would like to at least check them out.

I know for sure one of them used the official Pods people:
http://www.pods.com/
She used the San Jose location.

I e-mailed my other friend to see which company she used.

I do have friends who could help but I am loathe to ask because at 35, in SF, I have moved and asked for help more than once. and I likely would not be able to return the favor.

I strongly encourage you to consider asking for help. You'll need the moral support and the physical support!

Thanks for the UPS Ground idea. Any idea how long it takes?

Up to 5 days, depending on distance.

I have also been blessed with a very sweet loving kitty. But I do know this process will be stressful for him and even a trip to the vet seems harsh on his nerves (and mine). I have always been curious about the clicker and will talk to the vet about other options.

Clicker training a cat is a lot more work than clicker training a dog. I wasn't worried about teaching him to do tricks or anything, I just wanted to manage his anxiety

 

[InYourHead]

Message Deleted

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I'll be moving from the "dirty South" to Baltimore next year to attend Loyola (MD). If anyone is familiar with the area, please shoot me a PM!

It depends what kind of lifestyle you want. The campus is in a good area, because downtown B'more is ~6-8mi away, and there are plenty of places to live in suburbia that won't take too long to commute from. In the city you have Fells Point, Canton, Federal Hill, Charles Village, etc. Mt. Vernon is west of there, though still in the city. All of these places will be on the higher-end of what you are probably looking to spend, though you can still find some deals. Parking can be tougher down in the city, but it is still far better than most larger cities because on street parking is available. Some of my favorite restaurants and down in Canton and Federal Hill, so even if you don't live down there, you should eat down there. 😀

For suburban living you'd want to check out Parkville, Towson, and Loch Raven. Roland Park is west of campus, and there can be some decent places to live there, though I'm less familiar with that area. It is somewhat hard to recommend exactly where, because each section has +/-'s, so feel free to PM me what you are looking for, and I can make some recommendations.

In general, B'more is a GREAT city. The "locals" sometimes come across with some rough edges, but it has a lot to offer.

 

[AlaskanJustin]

It depends what kind of lifestyle you want. The campus is in a good area, because downtown B'more is ~6-8mi away, and there are plenty of places to live in suburbia that won't take too long to commute from. In the city you have Fells Point, Canton, Federal Hill, Charles Village, etc. Mt. Vernon is west of there, though still in the city. All of these places will be on the higher-end of what you are probably looking to spend, though you can still find some deals. Parking can be tougher down in the city, but it is still far better than most larger cities because on street parking is available. Some of my favorite restaurants and down in Canton and Federal Hill, so even if you don't live down there, you should eat down there. 😀

For suburban living you'd want to check out Parkville, Towson, and Loch Raven. Roland Park is west of campus, and there can be some decent places to live there, though I'm less familiar with that area. It is somewhat hard to recommend exactly where, because each section has +/-'s, so feel free to PM me what you are looking for, and I can make some recommendations.

In general, B'more is a GREAT city. The "locals" sometimes come across with some rough edges, but it has a lot to offer.

One of the first people i have ever heard say good things about the city itself. Aside from the harbor I found B-more pretty sketchy, I remember back when I was considering med schools and md phd programs I was at the hopkins campus, and they were talking about how each year they have a med student that is assaulted, robbed, or worse (killed in a case or two). I mean there are A LOT of areas that are miss (and fewer that are "hit"). Nevertheless, it always helps to have a local to point you in the right direction

 

[Psleepless]

The name of the moving company my friends used was Budget. It cost $550 for them to move from Maryland to Maine, and pull their car behind.
Hope this helps people!

+1 for Budget.

And even if you can afford U-Haul and their many airline-style hidden fees, DO NOT USE U-HAUL. Last time I moved, I had to be out of the first apartment x days before the new apartment was ready. I rented a U-Haul truck for x days to store my furniture. Someone from a different U-Haul branch than I 'd been dealing with saw the truck parked at my friend's house, saw that it was "defaced," and had it towed to a really remote U-Haul lot, bouncing the truck around and wrecking half my stuff in the process. Of course the "damage" to the truck had already been there when i rented it....*****s! O the joy of moving...

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Prior to the Harbor area being overhauled, much of downtown was rather rough. The neighborhoods I mentioned are much more "yuppie", though unfortunately the real estate prices reflect that. They aren't as bad as they were when I was looking back in the early 2000's, but they are still more than out in suburbia. For someone looking for a decent investment, you can find a gutted row house in one of the neighborhoods I mentioned for a pretty decent deal, though you'll need to be handy to fix it up. If/When I move back, that is what I'm doing.

As for Hopkins....it is in a very interesting area. "The Beach" (a big open grassy area on campus where students hang out when it is nice) has some $$$ houses near it, but a few blocks away...not so much. Charles Village is down in that area, and there are some gorgous houses, and then some run down looking buildings not too far away. Local knowledge is king around JHU. For the 'non-city people', the commute isn't too bad to any of the local colleges/universities, but some of the rental prices are a bit inflated.

There are still sections of Baltimore where you do not go in the day time and you DO NOT go at night (usually west of MLK). There has been some revitalization in that area, though you have a better chance of running into problems there than you do in the neighborhoods I mentioned. "City" rules still apply, which generally means don't go where you shouldn't be, and always pay attention to your surroundings.

ps. U-HAUL trucks are a death-trap waiting to happen. I'd recommend PODS, local movers, or a smaller "regional" or "national" chain where you can check out their vehicles before signing anything.

 

[PsyDWannabe]

Or just pack your stuff in the big moving boxes and send them pre or post your arrival through USPS ground - I hear they do that now and it won't cost an arm and a leg. I plan on packing my stuff in big moving boxes and putting stuff I'll use for the first couple of months in normal travel luggage. I'll take the luggage with me and get set up (mostly find a final place to live). When I'm settled, I'll have family send my stuff over.

 

[PhDToBe]

I'll be moving from the "dirty South" to Baltimore next year to attend Loyola (MD). If anyone is familiar with the area, please shoot me a PM!

I lived in Baltimore my entire life. There are few safe places within the city. Even the "suburbs" (Loch Raven, Parkville, Carney, Perry Hall, etc.) are really starting to go downhill. I have a friend in the Master's program at Loyola, and the surrounding area is okay. I believe it is actually in the city, but not the downtown area. One area you might want to consider is Hunt Valley, which would be a bit further and perhaps a bit more expensive, but the area is safer. There's a nice shopping center/community in the area, too. Not as nice, but not as expensive is the Timonium area.

PM for more info if you'd like, and I can ask some of my friends and family who are still in the area for more specifics.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I lived in Baltimore my entire life. There are few safe places within the city. Even the "suburbs" (Loch Raven, Parkville, Carney, Perry Hall, etc.) are really starting to go downhill. I have a friend in the Master's program at Loyola, and the surrounding area is okay. I believe it is actually in the city, but not the downtown area. One area you might want to consider is Hunt Valley, which would be a bit further and perhaps a bit more expensive, but the area is safer. There's a nice shopping center/community in the area, too. Not as nice, but not as expensive is the Timonium area.

A friend told me even Towson was having more questionable people show up, which is why I didn't recommend it considering the cost. Hunt Valley can be nice, same with Cockeysville, but that is a longer commute.

 

[PhDToBe]

A friend told me even Towson was having more questionable people show up, which is why I didn't recommend it considering the cost. Hunt Valley can be nice, same with Cockeysville, but that is a longer commute.

Towson has armed robberies on the perimeter of its campus almost weekly. There are also more serious crimes in the surrounding neighborhoods. Donnybrook apartments is unsafe, and Towson Commons is getting worse. There are problems in the Towson mall, and in White Marsh mall, too.

Yeah Cockeysville and Timonium are next best after Hunt Valley, though all are far away. There is a nice, but expensive area around Towson called Rodger's Forge...I THINK that is the nice one. I would suggest looking here first, as it is about 10-15 min from Loyola, and maybe you can find a nice deal.

Also, Reisterstown and Owings Mills have some nice neighborhoods, but again, they are further away.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Towson has armed robberies on the perimeter of its campus almost weekly. There are also more serious crimes in the surrounding neighborhoods. Donnybrook apartments is unsafe, and Towson Commons is getting worse. There are problems in the Towson mall, and in White Marsh mall, too.

Yeah Cockeysville and Timonium are next best after Hunt Valley, though all are far away. There is a nice, but expensive area around Towson called Rodger's Forge...I THINK that is the nice one. I would suggest looking here first, as it is about 10-15 min from Loyola, and maybe you can find a nice deal.

Also, Reisterstown and Owings Mills have some nice neighborhoods, but again, they are further away.

That's a shame about Towson, as my favorite pizza place is there (Pasta Mista), and there is a great place to get a bushel of crabs. Unfortunately I'm not surprised at the White Marsh Mall, that was always iffy at best. The only decent thing out in White Marsh is the IKEA anyway. Owings Mills in nice, but that is getting pretty far out. I still think the best mix of neighborhood and activity is down in the city....as a resident would just have to deal with typical city stuff there (slightly higher cost, parking, and not going down dark alleys at night). Did anything ever happen with Locust Point? When I left they were talking about revitalizing that neighborhood.

I should just call the last few posts, "From wherever to Baltimore".