Looking for Opinions on the Baltimore Area

I went to college in Towson right outside of Baltimore and lived there for 5 years. It is a very nice area and most of my friends from college stayed there after school. Will your husband be working in the city? There are many areas around the city that are nice. Maybe you could contact a real estate agent to narrow down areas within a certain distance from your husbands work? Then look at the statistics in those areas.

Hi, I hope you get more specific answers than mine, but here's my 2 cents' worth: The Baltimore-Washington area is great. Yes, you do not want to live in Baltimore city, most of which is not a pleasant place to live. I grew up in the Catonsville area, which is just a few minutes southwest of the city. There's a university there - UMBC, a community college, and a pretty decent high school. I am not sure where around Baltimore your husband would be working, but I am sure you will find a nice area to live. Orioles, Ravens games...Ocean City for crabs in the summer, Washington DC close by -- it's really not a bad place to be. Sorry I could not be more specific, I just wanted to convey the message that you should not fear that the Baltimore area is a bad place at all.

I used to work in Baltimore and lived right outside for a short time as well. The city is not so bad as many people think but I probably wouldn't want to live directly in the city if I had a family. The Towson area is nice north of the city, I'm not too sure about the cost of living it's been a long time since I lived there but I know it is less then the DC area. Depending on where your husband's job is in the city may decide where you want to live. If his job is in north Baltimore city or more towards the south. Just like any city getting in and out can be a hassle especially the traffic.

My sister lives in Baltimore in an area called Locust Point. She also went to school there and I went to school in DC. Her husband grew up in a Dc suburb called Rockville MD. It is a great area and so close to so many other great places!!

The cost of living may be higher than what you are used to in OH, but nothing like NYC

If you have school age kids, I belive you will want to look in Baltimore County not city, for better schools.

I can get you the name of my sisters real estate agent if you are interested! let me know.

There are really nice DC suburbs that are not to far from balitmore either!

Just keep in mind that although your husband's new job would mean a pay increase, that the cost of living there is higher than Cleveland. You certainly won't get as big a house as you could here in Cleveland for the same money. So something to think about as you consider the move.

I moved from DC to go to graduate school in Cleveland 12 year ago. I grew up in Baltimore County and always thought I would move back, but met my husband locally, bought a house, and now have a young son. The Baltimore/DC area is fabulous for lots of reasons-weather, more progressive (could be a negative also), great economy, proximity to so much. There is some of the same blue-collar, hard working-class mentality that I think Cleveland has. There is also a LOT more traffic. When I first came here I couldn't believe so much time spent on the news for high school football! It is more fast-paced, and some areas are not as family-focused. It really depends on the area you look into. The cost of living, at least for homes, is double here. That is one reason I haven't moved back. I could not work part-time there and still own a home. There are some wonderful neighborhoods all around the city and into DC. Howard County has some of the best schools, along with Baltimore and Harford. Some great suburbs I am familiar with are Towson, Lutherville, Belair, and Cockeysville. Good luck!