Thread: Moving to Baltimore and Need Advice

Sorry about the move but at least you tracked down a job. It might work out for you better than you realize.



Good luck,
Richard

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I'm curious if this might apply to your situation. I don't know that you'll really be better off in Baltimore. I am looking forward to taking you out for crabs though.

FAQs For Employees About COBRA Continuation Health Coverage

Yeah, we really can't afford that.
I thought we might have an out. The lab I've been working in temporarily, because the U was contractually obligated to continue to pay me until today, has been considering offering to keep me on for a year just on hourly pay with no benefits. That in combination with a vacation time payout I'll get next month might have let us get by for the year but without insurance. They just told me about this on Monday but unfortunately, they still are not sure if they have the money for it yet so they cannot commit, so I will have to commit to Baltimore.
I keep waking up at 3-4AM and making lists of what I have to do before I leave so that my wife can be alone in the house. Maybe it will all turn out fine, but for now I'm dreading this.
But sure, I guess I can look forward to crabs!

Hi Ron,
I do feel your pain my good man. You are in a tough bind with you ending up in Baltimore and your wife staying back in Iowa (to sell the house and all)...you guys ending up playing tag team for a little (hopefully short) while. But, in this economy, it is a blessing that you've been able to secure something...albeit a little further, distance-wise. Count yourself blessed as no one really knows how long this nightmare will last. This short term nuisance that you dread should not last too long as you and wife will be re-united.

Even academia is suffering these days...who knows, I may have to tighten the lab's belt a bit if NIH decides there's no more funding and Gov't decides to to become more thrifty in their spending.

Originally Posted by BladeRunner001

Even academia is suffering these days...who knows, I may have to tighten the lab's belt a bit if NIH decides there's no more funding and Gov't decides to to become more thrifty in their spending.

Yeah, I had to tighten to the point where my core lab was closed down. Fortunately the new job is well funded, just not well paid on my end! At this point though, as some have stated, at least I've got something on the horizon and I should be grateful, but at this point I'm just thinking about my wife. Oh well, I have to grow up some time!

While not the best area of town I know a lot of young marrieds and single living in Fells Point a few blocks south of Hopkin. Mostly renovated town houses there, many with aparments and/or a room to rent. At least you are in biking and walking distance of work so would not even need to have a car. On the weekends it is a touristy area and with all the small bars and clubs it is heavily populated in the evenings. This helps reduce some of the crime as the streets are usually crowded.

Venture a few blocks west though and you are on your own. I have lived near baltimore my entire life and have worked in one of the worst crime neighborhoods for nearly 30 years and have never had an incident. Go in looking like you belong there and confident and all will be fine, walk in looking over your shoulder every few minutes like a scared tourist and you will be the first to be picked off :~)

Most of our high crime statistics are based on criminals killing other criminals, typically drug related turf wars.

Tony

Tony

+1 on everything johnG10 said. I grew up near Baltimore and lived there during my college days at UMBC. The people are friendly, and there are LOTS of antique stores to scavenge for barberania. Also, if you watch the papers, there are plenty of antique auctions that are fun to browse and bid. Yes, there is is a lot of crime, but if you don't walk around at night, especially in East Baltimore, you will be fine. There is a wonderful harbor waterfront area with bars, restaurants, entertainment (I played bluegrass in several of the bars to help with college tuition) Don't miss Fort McHenry! It is a major music concert city. I hope you find a nice place in the 'burbs to live and have a great experience in "Bawlamer Murland" as the natives say.

So sorry to hear about the hard times!

Listen to JohnG10, you don't want to live in the JH area if you value your life.

I would say go with the Lightrail option. Find something in the outskirts, and ride it down to work.

Good luck with the decision!

Hello, Utopian:

I can't offer you advice on the Baltimore area, since I have never been there. I can only wish you the best of luck in your new gig.

Regards,
Obie

Ron, I'm away from my wife and kids quite a bit since taking a new job (almost identical circumstances except I'm close enough to drive home every weekend), and I know what you're about to be going through. I hate it

Best of luck with your new gig and getting her with you as soon as possible.

Ron, Baltimore city is a very spotty place much like other cities in the East coast, notably DC and Philadelphia: you are relatively safe in one block but in real danger in the next. The crime rates are high but you can make it a lot safer for you by using common sense. I went to school a couple of blocks from where you are going to be working. I used to take the shuttle to 3400 N. Charles, which has somewhat safer neighborhoods around: Guilford, Roland Park, Hampden and Charles Village. There is also Mount Vernon in between.

There are many options if you want to live in the city but you should not expect a large backyard without spending some money. I concur with Tony's take about Fell's Point, a lot of young people live in that area. And yes, there was a show in Baltimore, Homicide, you can still visit the set on Thames St, only a few blocks from where you are going to be working. A friend of mine used to live in the Henderson's Wharf: Fells Point, Baltimore . Another possibility is Federal Hill, which is across the Inner Harbor, very close to Camden Yards; this would be great if you like baseball, not sure that you do . The football stadium is also a few block from there. The city itself is wonderful if you are a bachelor, there are a lot of things to do.

If you like a suburban lifestyle, you can aim for Columbia, which has one of the best school systems in the area and it is equidistant to both Baltimore and DC. Also, already mentioned, Towson and Timonium (there is a light rail that goes straight there from downtown Baltimore) are viable options for you. There is a Metro line that takes you to Owings Mills that stops right down the block from you. It all depends on what you want and what fits your budget and lifestyle and whether you are looking to buy or rent. Feel free to send me a PM if you want more specific details. I still have friends that live there.

Regardless of where you decide to live, you MUST! visit Obrycki's for the best crabs in the world!!!! within "walking" distance from your workplace. It is rumored that this place created a seasoning that was copied by another company nearby, McCormick (Old Bay), not sure if that is true. Unfortunately, the De Groen's Brewery closed a few years ago...

Al raz.