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tEnPoInTs t1_j1gd2dt wrote

Reply to comment by TerranceBaggz in Where to live in DC to commute to Baltimore? by Appropriate-Algae-82

I was going to throw this out until I saw yours. It's probably going to be easier and cheaper and more convenient for both of you to live in Mt Vernon and commute via Penn station (walkable from anywhere in Mt Vernon) if your partner works on the Hill. Union station is a block from the hill, and the MARC train is a totally reasonable commute, I did it every day for years. There's no changing trains, its a relatively relaxing straight shot from Penn station to Capitol hill. Your cost of living will also be extremely low compared even to the suburbs.

Living in Mt Vernon you're also not sacrificing on neighborhood. It's FAR from the burbs, very dense and cultured.

There is no city part of DC that is convenient to the Hill AND an easy commute to Baltimore, but if you're REALLY set on DC I have lived in the Lincoln Park area of Capitol Hill and the jump onto 295 north out by the stadium can be a pretty painless drive. I still recommend the first option though.

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hwilen t1_j1gei2l wrote

I second all of this. Y’all should really live in Baltimore and have your partner commute to DC.

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tEnPoInTs t1_j1gen0t wrote

I read further up and it sounds like the partner is not entertaining the idea, but there are SO many reasons it makes more sense.

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Appropriate-Algae-82 OP t1_j1ghf07 wrote

I'm definitely open to hearing a good argument for this. My partner has lived in DC before, loved it, particularly being able to public transport super easily, and worries about the violent crime reputation in Baltimore.

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tEnPoInTs t1_j1ho4if wrote

Sorry I didn't get a chance to answer this last night. In essence I would sum it up that Baltimore is a city of neat little neighborhoods. Apparently the whole country who hasn't spent time here thinks it's the wire. It's true the crime numbers are high, but IN the nicer parts it's lovely and safety wise comparable to most east coast cities. DC is ironically the same way. Ask your partner if when he lived there he spent time in Trinidad or Mount Pleasant, I'm guessing the answer is no and those areas were racking up some serious numbers even just a few years ago haha. I've lived here for 12 years, in many parts, and loved every minute of it. I also lived in DC for 10 and I prefer it here.

As far as appeal, citiness, walk ability, culture, etc, I'd say I can't sum it up in a reddit post. Here's what I'd do: spend a day hopping around a couple areas of interest and see how you both actually like it.

  • Do NOT go to the inner harbor. It's a decaying relic of a gross 80s tourist trap but for some reason it's where everyone visits here and it gives a horrible impression of Baltimore. It's like thinking you've seen DC after going to Gallery Place/Chinatown.
  • Check out historic fells point, pop into a pub or restaurant around Thames st.
  • Walk around mt Vernon, especially the monument area it's really very pretty and quite a few neat spots. Mt Vernon marketplace is nice for a bite, or try Sugarvale for a cocktail
  • Bolton Hill is right above Mt Vernon and is very residential but pleasant and walkable.
  • Hampden is a bit above those two and just a charming neighborhood with tons to do and see. Some great restaurants.
  • Federal Hill is on the South side of the city and has a big bar scene. Also very walkable

Too many to name and I suspect someone will follow this up saying I left out more (which I did!) But it's not a bad list to start with for a slice of Baltimore city.

EDIT: Forgot about public transit. This is where DC does actually shine to be fair. The metro is in the top 3 subway systems in the country it's hard to beat. We do, however have free buses that will go roughly to most of the places mentioned above, but I will admit the city is a bit more uber-y / drivey than DC. Personally though I've walked between every neighborhood above.

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call_me_ping t1_j1ieqz1 wrote

u/tEnPoInTs left a great, comprehensive answer as far as a Reddit post can get!

Mount Vernon is a great area, and we're really privileged. With all of the restaurants, art, events, walkability–plus the city gives us more resources/keeps their eye on us more than other communities, it's a nice place to be.

I've lived here since I was 18 (8 years) after moving from Cleveland and it's fine. "Be pleasant, but also mind your business" kind of deal like any other city.

Baltimore is a lot more casual compared to DC's 24/7 corporate grind mindset. There's a lot more *ahem* charm here.

People love to sensationalize and bitch about the bad, but out of every place I have lived, Baltimore has one of the strongest community support networks in the country. Despite droves of people looking down on this city without knowing it, the people come together with support for one another.

u/Appropriate-Algae-82 if you and your partner have not already, ask your jobs about commuter benefits to see if either of you get discount tickets, gas/parking stipends, etc! The neighborhoods north or Penn are decent too, and you might get more bang for your buck in places like Remington or Old Goucher. Different options from apts, condos, and row homes in all.

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moderndukes t1_j1gkhms wrote

If you live right next to Penn Station in Baltimore, you’d be living closer to Union Station by train than Rockville or Vienna, and if they’re working in Capitol Hill then it’s a simple walk from there.

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yellahammerrrr t1_j1hr4ll wrote

I feel like as far as random violent crime goes, DC has been worse than Baltimore in recent years…

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TerranceBaggz t1_j1owccb wrote

I just saw the most recent numbers. Baltimore is worse, but (surprisingly to me) not by much. Baltimore’s violence gets over sensationalized in this sense and DC’s gets swept under the rug.

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Public-Nature7208 t1_j1jllsn wrote

My husband and I were in the same boat as you 7 years ago (I had an offer near Union Station in DC, he had an offer around BWI). We ended up in Mount Vernon, Baltimore and it was absolutely the right decision for us. The Penn line is super dependable and frequent, and I think I had an easier/more pleasant commute than many of my colleagues who took the metro (I'm full time remote now). Obviously Baltimore is more affordable, but I also like the vibe is much more down to earth than DC. Mount Vernon is super charming, great arts scene, and some excellent bars and restaurants.

We moved from a small city in the midwest, so crime was definitely on our minds too, but I honestly don't feel any less safe than I do in any other major city. I actually am more on edge in DC, but that's maybe just because my work is right by a homeless encampment.

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TerranceBaggz t1_j1ovrk0 wrote

If you’re living around Penn station in Mt. Vernon or Barclay, violent crime won’t be much of an issue. Not anymore than many parts of dc. Violent crime is largely localized to areas that would not be convenient for y’all to live in Baltimore anyway. Penn Station gives y’all access to MARC, Amtrak and Acela trains, there are multiple bike lanes and bus routes in the area, great restaurants, shops, bars and just a few blocks to the west is the light rail which will get you north and south from BWI airport at the southernmost stop and Hunt Valley (a northern suburb 8-10 miles outside of the city) to the north. The light rail will also get you to the inner harbor and at the stadiums’ front doors (they both have separate stops.)You can get pretty easily from the light rail to the subway downtown. Also, art scape (one of the city’s biggest annual events) happens in the summer right outside Penn Station’s doors. I don’t live in the Mount Vernon/Bolton Hill area, but I definitely get the appeal, especially if one is trying to live car free and affordably in the dc/Baltimore area. It’s the confluence of a lot of great things including 4 types of public transit (which probably no other area of Baltimore has.) Definitely price compare an area of DC that y’all are considering living to Mount Vernon or Bolton Hill or Barclay in Baltimore.

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Appropriate-Algae-82 OP t1_j1rvl0y wrote

Thanks for your thoughts. How is biking in Baltimore more generally? I visited very briefly and it didn't look like there were any bike lanes (where I was at least).

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TerranceBaggz t1_j2006eo wrote

There are bike lanes. Not as many protected lanes as DC, but we’re getting there. I’ll post a link to our bike network and the big greenway trail project that is coming (and will be transformative.) I bike everywhere I need to go inside city limits. I have a small CUV for work only purposes (I work in construction so it’s unfortunately pretty necessary until our bike network is completely built out at which point I may swap to an e-cargo bike.) The trains to DC allow you to take a bike on them, so your partner could do that if the distance on either end is more than a few blocks. The waterfront promenade is part of the city cycle network which is nice and probably rhe 2 best bike lanes in the city are right by Penn Station with the 3rd best being nearby.

  1. Fallsway curb separated bike lane
  2. Maryland Ave cycle track (protected)
  3. Jones Falls Trail
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