HELP! Baltimore DISers

[tink2020]

Hey there. DH and I are passing your way for a few medical residency interviews the first week of January. Sell me on where you live!

What do I need to see to get a feel for your city? While he's interviewing (and a few days before), I'm going to cruise around town, because we have to eventually rank these places and may end up there for at least 4 years!

Thanks in advance!

 

[gharrer]

It really depends on what stage of life you are in, what kind of house you want, and where the residency might be. If you like city living, Canton and Fells Point are very popular and close to Hopkins. If you have kids, Rodgers Forge, perry hall, lutherville, or Catonsville would be singe family homes or townhouses in the county. You really need to consider a price range as well. Nancy

 

[tink2020]

We are looking at buying a new(er) house in the Suburbs. We don't have kids yet, but are past the city-living thing... we essentially want to find a place that we could stay fairly long term when we do have children. Thanks for suggesting some areas!

ETA: He's actually interviewing at the University of Maryland. Hopkins doesn't have a Med-Peds program. I'm not sure how far apart the two schools are.

 

[elmo2wdw]

I work in Baltimore and commute from Hanover, PA. I love where I live but my commute is 50 minutes to an hour. The cost of living and housing is significantly lower in PA.

Closer communities to downtown Baltimore you can consider - Columbia, Westminster, Finksburg, Eldersburg, Bel Air and Ellicott City.

 

[tink2020]

Bump! We'll be here for a few days.... what should we do? see?

 

[mom2boys]

Baltimore is a much nicer city than it's reputation would suggest. Our Cincinnati relatives were pleasantly surprised when they spent a weekend in Baltimore for a family wedding. It wasn't at all what they expected. Just like Cinci or any U.S. city, there are areas of the city that are safer than others. I live about 60 miles west of Baltimore & was raised just outside of DC. Be aware that traffic is a major issue. You will want locate relatively close to the hospital. The hospital is close to the Orioles & Ravens stadiums - not far at all from the Inner Harbor. There is plenty of shopping & dining at the Inner Harbor. (ESPNZone; Cheesecake Factory, Phillips Seafood...) The Maryland Science Center is there. They recently had the Titanic exhibit - you'd need to verify it's still there. Also, the National Aquarium is at the Inner Harbor. They recently completed an Austrailian Rainforest addition. I haven't had a chance to get there since it just opened. If the weather is nice, you can take a water taxi around the Inner Harbor or even over to Little Italy - plenty of nice Italian restaurants there. If you like history, Fort McHenry is near by. This is where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the Star Spangled Banner. I can't speak for the night life.
If you like sushi, we have found the best sushi at a stand in the Cross Street Market. It's not fancy but is few blocks from the MD Science Center at the intersection of Light St & E Cross St. We walk it from the Inner Harbor/Orioles Stadium - it's a bit of a hike but very doable even for our 10 & 11 yr old.
DC is about an hour south with all that it has to offer. We spent yesterday at the Hirshorn & the International Spy Museum. None of the Smithsonian museums charge admission.

 

[tink2020]

Baltimore is a much nicer city than it's reputation would suggest. Our Cincinnati relatives were pleasantly surprised when they spent a weekend in Baltimore for a family wedding. It wasn't at all what they expected. Just like Cinci or any U.S. city, there are areas of the city that are safer than others. I live about 60 miles west of Baltimore & was raised just outside of DC. Be aware that traffic is a major issue. You will want locate relatively close to the hospital. The hospital is close to the Orioles & Ravens stadiums - not far at all from the Inner Harbor. There is plenty of shopping & dining at the Inner Harbor. (ESPNZone; Cheesecake Factory, Phillips Seafood...) The Maryland Science Center is there. They recently had the Titanic exhibit - you'd need to verify it's still there. Also, the National Aquarium is at the Inner Harbor. They recently completed an Austrailian Rainforest addition. I haven't had a chance to get there since it just opened. If the weather is nice, you can take a water taxi around the Inner Harbor or even over to Little Italy - plenty of nice Italian restaurants there. If you like history, Fort McHenry is near by. This is where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the Star Spangled Banner. I can't speak for the night life.
If you like sushi, we have found the best sushi at a stand in the Cross Street Market. It's not fancy but is few blocks from the MD Science Center at the intersection of Light St & E Cross St. We walk it from the Inner Harbor/Orioles Stadium - it's a bit of a hike but very doable even for our 10 & 11 yr old.
DC is about an hour south with all that it has to offer. We spent yesterday at the Hirshorn & the International Spy Museum. None of the Smithsonian museums charge admission.

Thanks! That is a great list. We'll have to check out some of the areas you mentioned! I like to hear from a resident point of view, instead of ONLY doing what the hotel suggest for tourists