Ahhhh, all my rowdy friends are on this thread - Lucie, NatureGirl, bellastarr, bardo, GeorgeW - you guys make me want to move up the east coast! You are getting some great advice here, rv224! These folks have helped me so much with trips to that area!

[Bardo, I owe you and Repete a drink for all help you gave me with DC.]

My brother lived in Baltimore several years and loved it. We sure loved visiting that area while he was there. Good luck with the move!

>i>all my rowdy friends

That's one of the nicest compliments I've ever received, BG. You do make me smile.

Okay... Here's some real information: I have lived in Baltimore for most of my life and live here now. Sure, there is crime here, as there is in any major city. Sure, you can watch the Wire and get an idea of the mean streets, but I wouldn't be expecting the OP to be living in that area.

Any city can be boring and unsafe and any city can be fun, exciting and safe. It's about how you look at things, the chances you take and your overall outlook. I've lived downtown, in some of the "transitional" neighbourhoods, and have never had a serious problem. I live in a rather marginal area now, and feel comfortable walking my yellow lab at midnight. It's how you treat the people around you that can make the difference.

There are great museums here - most of them free for at least a year. There are small funky galleries in many neighbourhoods. We have the Orioles and the Ravens, and both stadiums are in the heart of downtown and attract hundreds of thousands of fans, who populate the bars and restaurants before and after the games.

Baltimore has two world class hospitals with JohnS Hopkins and the University of Maryland, the creator of the Shock Trauma concept. People come from around the world for treatment here and to learn from the best.

The cost of living is significantly less than DC, just 40 minutes to the south. Many professionals from there are moving here.

Someone mentioned Annapolis as an option, but having lived there, I found it culturally lacking, although they do have some. It's a generic sort of suburban kind of place unless you live downtown in the historic district, and are prepared to pay handsomely for a small house with no land. Some parts are as dangerous as Baltimore. There was a serious shooting in the area mall the other night.

George W and Loves Italy, I'd be curious as to where you live...

rv224
re Museums in B'more-
One of the best, if not the very best, Museums dedicated to "outsider" Art is located in Baltimore across the Harbor from Downtown. The Museum of Visionary Art is a must see if you happen to go to B'more to explore your options. I've seen several unforgettab;e exhibitions there...
Thanks BayouGal for including me in your rowdy list-I hope to stay that way til my last gasp!! Laisez Les Bon Temps Roulez!

who me?
I live in Silver Spring and work in DC.

Dear fairfax,
I live on MD's Eastern Shore, I grew up in Washington's PG County suburbs and love Baltimore. My best college friends were three brothers who grew up in Essex, MD, so I have visited Baltimore quite often when I was younger. There is much going for Baltimore but it is also true that it is a city in decline and it is one of the most violent cities in the nation and Western Civilization. To maintain otherwise is self-delusional.

What I find self-defeating and demoralizing is when people, good people, begin to accept a high level of violence in their city or neighborhood and pronounce it normal. High rates of violence are not normal and not acceptable in a civilized society.

I am not saying that the level of violence is normal. I am just saying that you shouldn't just judge the city by that one thing. There are many places to live in Baltimore that are much less violent and crime-ridden than others.

George, if you're spending most of your time in Baltimore driving back and forth to JHH, then you're seeing the worst parts of the city. There are many, many parts that are worlds better.

fairfax:

of course, people who haven't lived in Baltimore know so much more than people who have actually lived there. I lived there from 1987-89 at 1010 St Paul Street about 20 blocks from Inner Harbor. I didn't have a vehicle while in the city and walked everywhere -Lexington Market, the old ballpark at Memorial (up to 33rd Street) walked there had season tickets to all the home games. never once did i feel threatened. the people of baltimore were friendly and kind. i have nothing negative to say about the city. its like every city out there crime happens and you take precautions and don't walk into the bad neighborhoods at night. Stupid people would walk into Harlem at night smart people go and hang out in Manhattan. Duh.

Stephanie,

???

DW and I (both white, FWIW) have walked around Harlem at night in the course of seeing a concert, play, or dance performance. Often with drinks or dinner before or after before returning to a hotel in Manhatten. Kept our wits about us as we would in any city (including DC our home).

Are you calling me (us) stupid???

Harlem is in Manhattan.

"Stupid people would walk into Harlem at night smart people go and hang out in Manhattan."

Stupid people make comments like this, smart people know when to shut up when they don't konw what they are talking about.

I'm embarrassed for you.