Homes in Essex/Middleborough

Submitted by Different-Kick-426 t3_10lpuks in baltimore

So I don’t normally post, but my gf and I are looking at houses and we’ve both lived in Baltimore County all of our lives. We are familiar with Parkville, Perry Hall, White Marsh, but we’ve been searching for homes in Middle River and Essex too, and I just can’t help but feel…a little less safe towards that way. But I wanted to get a local’s opinion of neighborhoods in that area before I write it off. Thanks in advance! Also worth noting we aren’t super worried about kids for the next 5 or so years.

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ch4dr0x t1_j5ygy80 wrote

I live in Chase, back by Bay Country, and I’ve never felt safer. I lived in Rosedale for 20 years and would not recommend it.

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Different-Kick-426 OP t1_j5yivwu wrote

Chase is down below the harbor and all right? Not opposed but my gf and I are stuck on being like 20min max from our families/friends. I realize we may have to give that up though

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ch4dr0x t1_j5yj0mh wrote

It’s in Essex, I just say Chase so it doesn’t get the stigma around it. It’s above Middle River, back by Bengies Drive In.

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Different-Kick-426 OP t1_j5yj91l wrote

That’s right, not totally opposed to that area. We saw some nice houses recently kind of nearby.

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doughydonuts t1_j5ymrw9 wrote

Not to down Essex/ Middle River; since I lived there most of my life and it’s geographically large, but concur with some of the others here. Chase is secluded and far enough away from the troublesome areas. It’s close to Gunpowder and the elementary school isn’t bad. For Essex I’d say anything further down 702 towards the water is good. However, you’re dealing with Deep Creek Elem/Middle. But I’ve heard Parkville and Perry hall schools aren’t much better these days. You’re just paying more money to live there. No matter where ya go there’s always trade offs.

https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2021-07-15/saving-essex-baltimore-county-will-try-to-help-one-of-its-most-at-risk-communities

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planetarylaw t1_j5ywb0l wrote

Near the water really? I'd say anything south of Eastern is no go. There might be patches that are nice, I don't know, but Eastern Ave is a dumpster of a street and a lot of crime happens southward.

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doughydonuts t1_j5zhxvi wrote

You’re correct on that side of Eastern Ave. I’m talking way way down. Rockaway or Holly Neck Rd. Sucks you have to pass through the cesspool of everything between 702 and Back River Neck Rd.

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planetarylaw t1_j5zq4q1 wrote

Btw I just got around to reading the article you posted and it really helped me, as a transplant, understand the history of Essex better. My neighbors are mostly born and raised here so I've gotten tidbits. I really love the people in this community. I'm a working class Midwestern girl, and I feel right at home here. I see in a lot of these folks what I saw in people back home. People who work hard and care about their neighbors. People who get a lot taken from them and taken out of them but keep on going because they do what they have to do for their families. I moved here for grad school at Johns Hopkins and I have always felt like a misfit there. I'm not an ivory tower kind of girl. So making my home here in Essex gave me that sense of fitting in I needed.

I'm really interested in Cliff O'Donnell from the article, and I wish the article had said more about the volunteer group because I'd like to pitch in. I've been picking up trash while walking with my kids around the neighborhood and maybe I can organize with him something more. I'm going to try to look him up. I'm rambling lol sorry for that. I don't get opportunities to blab about Essex much I guess.

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Different-Kick-426 OP t1_j5yotwc wrote

Fair enough on the schools. Not my biggest worry though. And I went to PH, and I know mostly if you stay to yourself then you’re usually fine. As far as education, I think any (Maryland) school is mediocre these days. But I’ll look into Chase some

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angryears923 t1_j5yv8ua wrote

Not an expert or realtor, but I’d say Chase and Bowley’s Quarters are fine.

I’d personally stay as far away from the main routes as possible. More crime (obviously) along them. So farther down 702 the better. If you go down, 702 stay to the north side. I’d also stay away from most of the areas to the left of Eastern, across from Bengies. There’s a big trailer park that I see a lot of crime happen in and from. (I work in the legal field) Also avoid anything around S. Marlyn Ave, Punjab Circle, Foxcroft. Also high crime.

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Different-Kick-426 OP t1_j5z2z86 wrote

Expert or not, I appreciate the insight. My dad even said Bowleys Quarters isn’t too bad. And I would guess that for the trailer parks although I’ve seen some that look well upkept tbh

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anne_hollydaye t1_j5yfahu wrote

Look at Hyde Park. It's pretty secluded and quiet.

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Apprehensive_Neat418 t1_j5y8ntz wrote

Look at rosedale

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planetarylaw t1_j5ydg2t wrote

Rosedale has its own problems.

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Apprehensive_Neat418 t1_j5yh7zv wrote

Such as?

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Matt3989 t1_j5yogon wrote

All of 40.

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Apprehensive_Neat418 t1_j5yp88g wrote

So the commercial area? Got it

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planetarylaw t1_j5yvvmk wrote

Yeah I'd say that's it really. The residential seems fine. Plus Rosedale has arguably the best branch of the Baltimore County library system.

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afrikene t1_j609k39 wrote

what’s wrong with Rosedale?

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planetarylaw t1_j60pvpq wrote

I think mostly the commercial area. Personally, I'd live in the residential parts I've been to. But damn it seems like every other week there's some kind of nonsense going down at that Walmart or Trampoline Park, that whole area. Middle river and Essex have our nonsense too. Aero Acres has been having shootings/stabbings. And Hawthorne has violent crime and car jackings. Somehow the carjackers take off deep into Hawthorne like they don't know it's a peninsula. Dummies. Oh yeah also Rosedale has a major stray cart problem lol. I don't understand why folks in Baltimore don't get those granny carts like folks do down in DC. That kabob place in Rosedale is the best restaurant in the whole area though. That's my review of Rosedale ha.

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planetarylaw t1_j5y9d01 wrote

I live in Essex and can't imagine why you feel it's unsafe. Edit: downvotes really?

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Different-Kick-426 OP t1_j5y9rrr wrote

It just seems like everything’s a little rundown. And maybe it’s just the environment I grew up in talking, but I’ve never lived near like 3 liquor stores and dive bars. Not saying that’s all of Essex, but the houses I looked at were like that. I feel like I have unrealistic expectations though perhaps

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planetarylaw t1_j5ydbtd wrote

The whole city and county are run down. I transplanted here 8 years ago and was taken back by how run down and dirty the city is. There are the wealthy bubbles but I can't afford to live in those lol. I'm guessing you can't either or else you would be looking there. Essex and middle river are working class so you won't find anything ritzy or hip. I used to live in Remington which has become very hip but I sure don't miss the muggings and carjackings there. I agree about the liquor stores but that's seen all over the city and county. Essex and middle river are also big so there's variation within them. I got a lot of bang for my buck out here for my house and property. I love my neighbors. And we have some nice things to do out here too. AMA if you want to know more. Edit: safety, forgot to address that. I feel safer here than I did in Remington. We get petty criminals, car door checkers, lawn mower thieves. But I feel safe walking around the neighborhood, taking my kids for bike rides. We have a lot of joggers and walkers. I never saw that in Remington.

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sit_down_man t1_j5zbz5n wrote

Am I misreading your comment, or are you saying there aren’t a lot of joggers/walkers in Remington? Cuz if so, I’d disagree somewhat strongly. I live adjacent to there and there’s good foot traffic, especially with all the new businesses and developments. It dies down a bit in the summer and winter when JHU students are on break though.

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planetarylaw t1_j5zrdv2 wrote

Yeah that's what I said. I can only speak from my own personal experience. Traffic was insane though. I lived on 29th. Cars just gunning it all day and all night. Noisy. This was several years ago. No, I never saw joggers. People walking, I guess. But not seemingly for the sake of a walk. Charles village and hampden, yes absolutely. You say you live adjacent, so I don't know. I lived in Remington. Where I live now is delightfully more walkable and people actually go on walks for walks sake.

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Different-Kick-426 OP t1_j5yj41j wrote

Good to know. And yes, you are correct. I’d live in Kingsville if the houses cost what they did when my parents moved in lol but that’s not even a possibility for me as of now. And I don’t need ritzy. I just want friendly and non-trashy. White Marsh has definitely declined somewhat but it’s not unbearable or anything imo

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