Baltimore, Maryland

DonLunafan51
Living in Baltimore
3y ago
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I have lived in this city all of my 53 years of life. I have had the pleasure of living in eight different neighborhoods in that span of time. Baltimore will make your heart swell, and give you a migraine, sometimes in one day. There are annual street festivals like Artscape, SoWeBo, Fell Point Fun Fest that bring people together and give you a chance to sample food and wares made by locals. Our transit system (I am carless) has many flaws, but if you can learn to be patient, it will get you where you are going. We have a ton of deeply ingrained, systemic problems that do not have easy answers. Redlining in the fifties pushed many affluent whites out to suburbia, as their fear of people that didn't look like them outweighed their love of our city. But if you take a walk through Mount Vernon on a sunny day, you'll see architecture, statuary, and walk the same streets as F.Scott Fitzgerald, Etta and Claribel Cone, Gertrude Stein, Cab Calloway, Eubie Blake and so many others. In short, Baltimore is a place to fall in love with, even though she might not always love you back.*

Cautionnerds
Lived in Baltimore
2y ago
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I used to live in the city and have worked in the city for the last 12 years.

Best: the people. My job has me go into people's homes to fix issues, and no matter where in the city I am, in uniform or out, I'm usually greeted warmly by people just tryna live their best lives. Yes, some people are dicks, but most people in the city are generally nice people.

Worst: outside of anyone living in the L, city leadership is too indifferent in the suffering and inequalities of those living in the city. Live off of Boston, fed hill or JHU, they got you. But live near Gwynn Falls, Mondawmin, cherry Hill, etc., well good fucking luck.

Mindfulhydration
Living in Baltimore
2y ago
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Like:

Close enough to everything (DC, Philly, NY, Virginia), but just far enough away to have some peace. I love DC attractions but dislike the drivers and the stressed residents. Baltimore is just way more chill from the people to the driving (yes, it still sucks but not as bad as DC). I also really love the closeness of nature. I saw a Blue Heron close to Penn Station once. A fox ran across my driveway last night. Lake Roland and Druid Hill park are awesome. I've traveled many places globally, but still count those places as some of my favorites compared to any city. NY makes me feel claustrophobic- way too many people everywhere. I can breath here.

The other side:

The "plantation" style segregation of Baltimore that makes it almost impossible to live in a truly diverse ethnic community. The corruption of government and not-for profit sector orgs that seem to continually suck in money for neighborhoods and residents, and yet nothing changes. Where is all that post Freddie Gray money by the way? Also the littering. I've never seen so many people casually throw trash out their cars in their own neighborhoods. It drives me nuts as someone who lived in SW Baltimore for a long time and participated in many a community clean up. I had a trifling ass neighbor once who let their kid throw trash on my roof. Many people live here, but not everybody has a sense of belonging that encourages them to do right by their community.

pussybulldozer_69
Living in Baltimore
2y ago
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The crime problem is very real and you have to be careful in some areas but there is a lot to do and it shouldn't sway you from visiting some time. It's rough around the edges but at it's heart I truly believe it's one of the most enjoyable cities in the country. If you're into DIY music and art it's one of the best cities in America for that. Lots of history. TONS of great restaurants. Seriously, one of the most underrated foody cities in the world. The crime, poor infrastructure, and lack of a responsible government are real drawbacks but it is the inhabitants that keep the city alive and that's a reason to visit.

Living in Baltimore Maryland [EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW]