Would you move to Baltimore's Inner Harbor?

[mnhtnbb]

In light of the violence and race problems in Baltimore, I'm curious whether those circumstances would be a deal breaker and sufficient to overcome all the positive attributes of the area for others.

Here's why I ask. I want to move. This is my list of wants for an area.

View of water.
Walkable neighborhood.
Shops, restaurants, entertainment within walking distance.
Good public transportation. Could get by without a car.
Seasonal but mild climate. (little snow and no 100 degree days)
Close to good health care services.
Nearby opportunities for volunteering.
Good selection of rental apartments within my budget ( must have view of water).
Blue state.

I have been applying that list of wants--which pretty much define a lot of European cities--and had come up with Baltimore's Inner Harbor. I can't afford DC, NY, Boston, Hoboken and some place like Charleston or Savannah are ruled out for climate and red state politics.

I was all set to plan a look see trip in February when a friend reminded me of the race problems in Baltimore. I knew about them, but had thought the high tourist area of the Inner Harbor would be relatively safe. Turns out there have been random violent attacks on whites by black adolescents in the Inner Harbor since the end of October. That's scary. Random violence in the streets is something I think we're going to see more of under this Trump and Republican regime.

So. What would you do? I am a white senior (66) female and would be living alone. Have never been afraid to travel alone and that includes walking the streets of NY or London or Paris by myself.

4 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Time expired
	Go look at Baltimore's Inner Harbor.
	4 (100%)
	Forget about Baltimore's Inner Harbor.
	0 (0%)
	Go look at European cities.
	0 (0%)
	Start over and give up some criteria.
	0 (0%)
	Other. Please elaborate.
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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[safeinOhio]

1. Take a look at Annapolis.

My brother lives there so visit every few years. Seems like it might fit your bill. Close to DC and Baltimore. Lots of history and I see lots of people out late at night downtown.

[mnhtnbb]

5. Annapolis has been on my list

but it doesn't really have the walkable and excellent public transportation options for everything. I'm getting to the point where I'd like to not
have to deal with a car.

[rogerashton]

2. I don't know Baltimore well,

but my impression is that the troubled districts are out toward the universities. I have visited Annapolis and agree that it could be very nice, but I suspect not cheap. My wife's uncle owned a waterside home there that was cheap in the 40's -- is now maintained by the billionaire Brock family as a place to stop off when they are in the Chesapeake on their yacht. Not cheap any more. Then again, if a river view would float your boat, check out Philadelphia. Gentrifying areas like Fishtown and Queen Village might give a view of the Delaware. The Schuylkill, our Seine, is a much smaller river but views of the Schuylkill should be easy. The public transportation system is old -- but that really is not a bad thing when it is maintained, and that has improved -- and it is very extensive, giving access to most of the city, the suburbs and some of the New Jersey suburbs. The old Quaker presence is still important in the city and there are many institutions that would welcome volunteers. And it is still a "greene country town" -- well, a green big city -- with extensive parklands accessible by public transportation. The weather is predictably unpredictable, but 3 days over 90 degrees are reported as a heat wave and harsh winter weather rarely lasts more than ten days without relief.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

3. Baltimore isn't mild in the summer. It's miserably hot and humid.

[mnhtnbb]

6. This is kind of a fun comparison of weather

between Chapel Hill--where I've lived for the last 17 years--and Baltimore.

I dislike the heat/humidity of Chapel Hill in the summer and the lack of breeze. It's one reason I'd like to live near water to get a breeze in the summer, which
makes humidity a bit more bearable.

As I suspected, the charts show Baltimore would be likely less humid in summer with a greater chance of breeze.

https://weatherspark.com/compare/y/21918~19538/Comparison-of-the-Average-Weather-in-Baltimore-and-Chapel-Hill

[50 Shades Of Blue]

7. I live about 20 miles from Baltimore and I've spent plenty of time at the Inner Harbor in the summer

It's miserably hot and humid.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. My friends lived near the Inner Harbor and loved it.

And I loved visiting them too when they lived there.

[elleng]

8. I'd surely look at it (with you!)

A friend lived nearby some years ago. Would have to study lots of matters, and will check with my son in law, a deputy sheriff in another county, for detailed info for you.

[mnhtnbb]

16. Thanks.

It would definitely be helpful to hear what your SIL thinks. Sending you a pm about look see trip plans.

[elleng]

17. OK!

[Duppers]

9. After my son spent 7 yrs in grad school

At JHU, I know a little about Bmore. I think you'd love the Inner Harbor. I've stayed in Hotels there many times.

But little snow, did you say? Well, usually. However, bad snowstorms come every 6 or 7yrs and when they do, they're doozies...and gorgeous...

[elleng]

10. Oh YES, Duppers, Bawlmer and DC get occasional big storms,

and they ARE beautiful!

[Duppers]

11. Wish I could post a pic of my son's car covered

With snow.

Funny thing...well kinda not: he/his car was ticketed for violating restricted parking hours the morning *after* this snowstorm pictured above. I kid you NOT!! They even sent a wrecker to tow his car and the wrecker couldn't move it, according to a neighbor who watched!!

He had to show up in court, so the ticket was dismissed.

[elleng]

12. How SILLY!

I was in a DC suburb last big snowstorm, and DID get pics of my car in parking lot. NEVER thought I'd get it out, but the thaw finally happened.

[Duppers]

13. I have a pic of his but let my acct expire. THIS...

Was rather what it looked like in Bmore...


Yep, it was silly.

My son borrowed his neighbors' shovel to dig his car out.

[elleng]

14. Yes, similar to look where I was.

I did get some nice snow pics.



I assume we're not frightening mnhtnbb!

[mnhtnbb]

15. That IS a doozy!

But living in an apartment building at least I wouldn't have to shovel snow!

[elleng]

18. Right, ONE of the benefits of apartment/condo living!

You could visit me, 60 miles south of DC, when we hear a big storm is coming, and 'camp out,' as my unpaved road/path doesn't get shoveled out, but I prepare to be at home and enjoy the scenery!

[Duppers]

19. This is true. So please don't let me discourage you.

There are some nice restaurants in that area too, within walking distance. You'll find great delis, good bars, and bistros throughout the city. And when visiting, try the Rusty Scupper in the Harbor.

[seltzerwater]

20. Baltimore is my city

I wouldn't live anywhere else. Yes there is crime. So fucking what. Your likely to never even notice it in harbor east or canton or federal hill.

[mnhtnbb]

21. Thanks to those who have voted in my poll and written comments

I've booked my trip to go take a look see in February!