I've been away from Baltimore for a while and finally moving back. For the housing I need I've been narrowed down a good bit (large dog vs. renting) i know most of the areas and ins and outs, but one neighborhood has me (and all of my colleagues) stumped, Frankford. Almost no one seems to personally know anything about it. is no news good news? (Aside from 4 people shot a few months ago) seems pretty quiet and low key. i realize there's not much of a night life there, but that's ok for a while. any input would be appreciated.
Comments
reuegeist OP t1_iycz3gi wrote
It’s just below Hamilton ave and a long block away from bel air heading east. I’m used to the usual city checklist: lock shit up, don’t leave anything out in the open… it’s got a driveway at least.
And I’m actually just renting for now getting my feet planted to bring my girlfriend down later on. One thing I look out for is how many houses have barred doors and/or windows. This area doesn’t seem to have much at all. Really looking for something decent I can play drums and have a dog that isn’t going to fit in a messenger bag
f11tn88ss t1_iyd24dj wrote
that area should be ok, I lived not to far from there before. it's always good to scope the neighborhood/house out for a few weeks at different times of the day. with you planning on playing drums, I'd check to make sure you adjacent neighbors aren't super elderly, graveyard shift workers that need sleep in the daytime/afternoon, or a family with young babies. as far as i know the houses aren't super spaced our so noise can be a problem.
antisocialite t1_iyd8m5x wrote
I live in a nearby neighborhood and like it well enough. This is a really accurate description. It's quiet and laid back, which I love, but if you want to do anything interesting, you pretty much have to drive elsewhere. Herring Run Park has some good trails for a casual stroll, and Frankford is home to BLISS Meadows, which is a really cool program.
jdl12358 t1_iyd7iuq wrote
Going off of Google Maps/the city's own neighborhood designations, isn't all of Frankford below (to the southeast of) Belair Rd?
DeathStarJedi t1_iyczkxh wrote
I actually grew up in Belair-Edison (immediately South of Frankford) and then worked on the design for the Frankford Ave rehabilitation project about 10 years ago when those new townhouses popped up. It's a decent area as city living goes, but I personally would rather live further North in Hamilton, or in the County in Overlea or Parkville for a better atmosphere as far as crime is concerned
TerranceBaggz t1_iyd72rk wrote
Parkville, less crime? My mom lives there and I’m on their local FB page, that’s iffy. There have been multiple swat raids across the street from her in apartments in the last couple of years. She’s trying to move because of crime there increasing.
reuegeist OP t1_iydd719 wrote
Parkville can get less than desirable, as with any area in Baltimore. One block makes a huge difference
eyesabovewater t1_iydoqgg wrote
I with you. Grew up on arizona ave. Lol..when the neighbirhood bars ended up with bullet proof glass...eehhh...eeeehhhhh.....
GovernmentSouthern18 t1_iydiih0 wrote
Check out cedmont.
godmorgonallihopa t1_iyedacc wrote
I second this!
eclare1965 t1_iycw6x5 wrote
I don’t know anything about Frankfort, but check out Violetville, we even have a park
reuegeist OP t1_iycyqpc wrote
I was looking there and Halethorpe area but can’t seem to find a spot that would work.
eclare1965 t1_iyd0yg3 wrote
Sorry
Tim_Y t1_iyd6is0 wrote
I have a rental property in Glenham-Belford - so just on the other side of Belair Rd from Frankford. The area has a lot of "duplexes" - side by side rowhouses so all the homes have 3 exterior walls and usually have decent sized yards and a good many have parking pads in the rear. Nice, quiet area IMO, if that's what you're looking for.
> I was looking there and Halethorpe
Halethorpe and Violetville are similar to Frankford, but completely different ends of town. I'd make location a priority if you have any kind of commute. Halethorpe is in the county so housing will tend to be more expensive vs the city.
reuegeist OP t1_iyddwwj wrote
Catonsville was actually my first choice (lived there a while back, and Woodlawn) if I were buying right now it’s be great. But the non-complex rentals there aren’t what I need sadly. I work in owings mills right now but a lot of my run-ins are west/county and midtown.
deadest_of_parrots t1_iydl5kq wrote
I love not far from there and it’s a pretty normal neighborhood. People are generally polite and as long as you don’t think you live in Montana or something (lock your doors, lock your car) it’s fine.
reuegeist OP t1_iydpzaa wrote
Thanks everyone, I’m thinking I’ll go for it. Worst case it’s only a year. Because of my timing it’s this or a rowhouse to make due with in Hampden.
Dustypigjut t1_iydsn0e wrote
Hampden is a nice area.
reuegeist OP t1_iydsw50 wrote
I definitely like it, lived there few years ago. Love being able to walk to everything
Imanking9091 t1_iyeyll9 wrote
As a person that lives on frankford near Hamilton most of the bad Baltimore you hear about doesn’t make it this far up
Jaded_Guarantee_2513 t1_iye9wvk wrote
No don’t do it. It is one of the worst areas in northern baltimore anything north of there is ok
f11tn88ss t1_iycybe3 wrote
What street off of frankford? below belair belair rd id personally look elsewhere. in between walther and belair is pretty ok if you want a neighborhood vibe that might still involve someone stealing your lawn mower if its not locked up or checking your car door handles if you park on the street. If you want walkable nightlife, there is none. If you want a semi quiet neighborhood that you could raise a kid in, it's kinda ok for that. If it's just you and your dog and you want away from a busy city life its perfect.
The area has a mix of old homeowners that have been there for ever, younger homeowners that were able to buy a house before inflation flipped the housing market, and new buyers that have to pay 250-350K for a house that was 175-225k just a few years ago. all in all its not a bougie area and is working class to the point youll have some great neighbors and some not so great peppered in.