Hey everyone - taking a study break
and figured I would hopefully answer some of your questions.
Parking - it really depends on where you live and what you are looking for. Most of the apartments (The Redwood, Marlboro, Greenhouse, The Atrium) have some kind of "deal" ... well its not really a deal but its cheaper then if you pay for the same parking without an apartment ... will run you about $100 extra a month. If you are commuting you can park in the Lexington garage for $40 a month but, I would not recommend parking there if you are planning on doing any studying after dark since the characters around that area are on the shady side. I think a dental student got killed in that garage a few years back but, they have tried cleaning up that area over the past few years and I think that it is a little safer. I am not trying to scare anyone but, personally I would not walk to my car anytime after 5pm if I parked in that lot. Lots of people park there and feel safe, for the most part but, Im a 51 115 pound girl who couldnt defend myself if need be so I try to keep out of any dangerous situations. I also carry around pepper spray if Im walking anytime after dusk. You can also park in the other student lot by the union for $4 a day. They say you are not supposed to leave your car there overnight but I honestly don't know how strict they are about that and many people have left their car their at night. I think they might notice if you do it all the time but if you just want to spend the night with friends or whatever and you commute it shouldnt be that big of a deal to leave it there once in a while.
Car - you really don't absolutely have to have one for the first two years. The curriculum has changed a bit since my first/second year so I'm not sure about the new ICM (if you have to travel much) but, really the only thing you would absolutely need a car for is to do your weekly ICP or PD (not sure what its called now). When we did it, they asked if anyone in the group had a car and tried to make arrangements for those who didnt. If you have one group member with a car though I'm sure you could work it so they drive and you just give them gas money, that's what I did. I would imagine its hard to grocery shop, go to the mall or anything that is not directly in the area (my boyfriend had a car so we used his for these errands). You will need a car third year we rotate through a variety of hospitals (Mercy, Franklin Square, Union just to name the ones off the top of my head) so, you are expected to have a car third year.
Transportation - the bus system in Baltimore sucks! I have never used it but, its very confusing and the other riders may be a bit scary (not trying to make assumptions, its just my opinion). The light rail is convenient for some stuff but, can't say much about that either since I've never used it.
Apartments that allow dogs - I really don't know of many. I lived at Redwood Square first year, The Atrium second year and now live at Spinnaker Bay. We moved this year just so we could get a dog but, it's pretty far from campus (about a mile) so its not really practical if you are looking to walk to class. When Im at UMMS I do walk home, and its a nice walk (unless its raining) but, my boyfriend drops me off in the morning I dont think I could walk to and from if he didnt (every bit of sleep helps). I thought the Fayette St apartments allowed dogs but they might have a size limit too. You might want to try the new place they just built near the Redwood I think its called Camden something or other.
When you are apartment shopping many of these apartment managers try to make you think that they have this long waitlist. In my experience, I have never had a problem finding/obtaining an apartment. Especially with all the new ones in the area, you should not have any problem. Now, if you want a specific one (a loft for instance) you might want to get your name on the list and have them call you when one comes available. Really, the best time to look is now considering our school year ends sometime in May and everyone starts moving. That way you have a chance to look at what you want, find roommates and move in by August. But, you can also wait last minute and I guarantee you will find somewhere.
Night life there is a ton of cool places to go in B-more. Fells Point, Federal Hill and Canton are all within a five minute taxi ride from most of the apartments down here. There is actually a bar called Bay Café in Canton that has a beach its on the water and the outside patio has sand (wonderful for a night like tonight). There are a ton of excellent resturants and shopping (they are building like crazy).
Hope I at least answered some of the info for you. For those of you still undecided let me put in a little plug
Maryland is a great school, the faculty is amazing and from what Ive heard from interns/residents that graduated here they all felt very confident in their clinical skills/knowledge once they were finished. It really is in a great area within a few hours you can be at the beach (OC is about 2 ½ hours), most skiing destination and DC. Also, Baltimore is becoming a really cool city to live in
the area has really changed over the past few years and from all the construction that is going on around us I can promise that it will be even better by the time you guys get to second and third year (it really sucks that all this development has begun now that Im going to be moving out).
Do you ever run with him?
