Walking to/from Mount Vernon/Station North at night

Submitted by mibfto t3_120okkk in baltimore

Thoughts on walking alone up and down either St Paul or Calvert at night? I live in the one neighborhood and want to go to an event in the other. I can basically see Penn Station from my apartment (or I could if it faced a different direction), so it wouldn't be a long walk-- 15ish minutes, probably.

In daylight hours I'd do it in a heartbeat, but at night, past the train station, makes me go hmmm. I've read here that some people advise against using Charles as a north/south route at night, but I'm not sure about the others.

ETA, don't DM me about this, ffs. If you have someone to say, say it in the thread. That's why it's here.

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Snoo-Snoo2 t1_jdi8zx3 wrote

I'm male, which might matter, but I walk this path pretty frequently. I live dead-center downtown and walk on either Cathedral or Charles as far north as Mi Comalito/Baltimore Eagle. I've never had any trouble or even really been worried–those passages are pretty dead at night. Sometimes I take the bus, but at night when it's running infrequently I often just walk.

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lawl5127 t1_jdir42q wrote

i personally know of three people who have gotten mugged in that stretch, so when in that area in the dark i try keeping my alone time as short as possible. i wouldnt do it if i were you.

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needleinacamelseye t1_jditchm wrote

I'm not sure why people would recommend against Charles - of all the N-S streets in that area, foot traffic will probably be highest on Charles, which is what you want from a safety perspective. St Paul and especially Calvert are both fairly residential in that area, so you're going to have less foot traffic once the sun goes down.

For what it's worth, if I'm wandering home from Club Charles late at night, I walk down Charles to Mt Royal to get back to Bolton Hill. I've never felt unsafe on Charles after dark, though it can get lonely on the bridge over the Jones Falls. Maryland Ave can be a bit weird at night, and I've heard too many stories about nighttime muggings to feel comfortable on the Howard St bridge after dark.

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mibfto OP t1_jdj2hdr wrote

Replying to needleinacamelseye (#2,339,782)

>I'm not sure why people would recommend against Charles

It was a comment I read in this sub a while back, before I actually moved in. Now that I'm here, I feel the same way-- Charles seems like a great N/S route specifically BECAUSE it's populated and busy.

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todareistobmore t1_jdj3rf7 wrote

Charles probably has the least dead space of any of the streets between Station North and Mt. Vernon, but generally speaking, walking between the two neighborhoods is safe enough that I don't see the need to prioritize any particular route. Any of the N/S streets should be fine.

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Shiny_Deleter t1_jdj60cg wrote

I lived near Penn Station for years, and had zero issues when walking. Not that anyone can guarantee your safety, but I never hesitate to make that walk, especially Charles and St Paul. Calvert is too quiet at night, but lovely by day.

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sit_down_man t1_jdjct72 wrote

N Charles is fine to walk on but if you feel uncomfortable, the buses between that stretch are pretty reliable and the silver and green city link both run 24/7

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sit_down_man t1_jdjo0g1 wrote

Replying to mibfto (#2,342,682)

Yes! The CityLink buses are those named after colors, and the LocalLink buses use numbers. The CityLink run 24/7 and LocalLink usually have a period of inactivity between evening and early morning. Also, if you aren’t aware, the CharmPass app is used to buy tickets and the Transit app is used to track the buses in real time so you don’t have to wait outside not knowing when they’ll arrive!

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langleyoliveros t1_jdjqy3g wrote

In all the time I've lived in Mt. Vernon I've only had trouble along this route in broad daylight. I've walked from the monument to North Avenue and back well into the wee hours without a threat. I'm a girl and most people see me as one, though I do keep pepper spray in my purse for a rainy day (have pulled it out once to make a point but never fired).

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ladyofthelakeeffect t1_jdjujb2 wrote

I have walked this route many times day and night and am like 5’3” and femme. I’ve gotten cat-called/harassed verbally but that’s similar to like… everywhere I’ve walked in this city and others. Obviously I can’t make a blanket statement that you will be 100% fine and nothing will ever happen to you, but I truly don’t think there’s a heightened risk along N Charles or even St Paul. I would just say don’t wear over-the-ear headphones and be alert and aware of your surroundings, but that really goes for walking anywhere at night I think. You can also carry a knife (I do) or pepper spray, but make sure you know how to use any tool you carry before doing so.

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