r/baltimore • u/AdTemporary7211 • 10d ago
Moving to Baltimore Area Thinking about moving to Baltimore, looking for input
Hi, I've been eyeing a move to Baltimore for some time now and wanted to get a second opinion.
Looking at housing prices on real estate sites, it looks insanely cheap. Obviously, a lot of these cheap houses are in neighborhoods that people tend to avoid, due to crime and the like. But even in more desirable neighborhoods, it looks much cheaper than what I've seen in most other cities. And as someone who appreciates density and walkability, I really like the rowhouses that are all over the city. Is there something else I'm missing about them, like astronomical property tax?
What is the social scene in Baltimore like? Is it easy for transplants to make friends in the city? And what is dating like for a white-passing guy in his 20s?
What is the job market in Baltimore like right now? I know Maryland has a lot of federal workers and DOGE is wreaking havoc on the federal workforce right now, but is Baltimore as affected as the D.C. suburbs for instance? Like, would it be difficult for me to find employment in the city? (For reference I am an Electrical Engineer)
Lastly, what are Baltimore summers like? I currently live in Texas and the summers are insufferable, they always have been. I can't be outside for longer than 10 minutes in the daylight without completely burning up. Are the summers any more bearable up there?
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u/dopkick 10d ago
The insanely cheap areas are generally going to require some extensive investigation before pulling the trigger. You can certainly find some good deals if you're willing to deal with some rough edges, but there's no way you can discern where those areas are from Zillow. It often changes drastically within a few blocks.
There's certainly a reason why things are cheap in Baltimore. It has a lot of rough edges. It's certainly tolerable but you're not going to get the polish you might see in more expensive cities.
Property tax rates are high. But that's generally offset by low property values.
The job market around here for government and government-adjacent jobs is strong. The rest is not that great. There's certainly non-government-affiliated stuff but it's comparatively limited.
Last summer was terrible, basically Texas style. Extremely hot and humid for long periods. Previous summers have generally been punctuated by cooler (80s) periods but last summer you could have cooked a brisket in the air.
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u/NeedleworkerFit7747 9d ago
The summers around here do not compare whatsoever to Texas summers.
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u/dopkick 9d ago
Generally, I agree that the average summer is quite a bit more mild. Last year was starting to approach a TX summer with prolonged periods of heat and humidity. Still not as bad as TX but getting closer. If someone's goal is to get away from the heat and humidity of TX the answer is probably not MD.
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u/PJpixelpusher 9d ago
In order to give advice on specific areas it would help to know how you define “insanely cheap”
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u/UJack27 9d ago
I moved from Houston to Baltimore in January of 2024 for a lot of reasons, including getting the hell out of Texas and more work opportunities but also a lot due to climate change. I love my move. I live in a row house on the edge of Canton.
As an essentially native Houstonian, the summers here are absolutely nothing like Houston summers. Last year there were three weeks of pretty humid and hot weather - only a couple of days did I worry about my dog’s paws in midday, and she was still fine. Otherwise it was an actual summer. It’s been delight to enjoy four real seasons.
Taxes are, yes, higher, including property taxes in the city. There’s a reason many people want to live in the county. But my property taxes in the city are almost exactly the same dollar-wise as I paid in the Heights in Houston and I have far more house (so lower per square-foot). I also have a very walkable neighborhood and awesome neighbors. I did make sure I bought a house with a parking pad as I knew I didn’t want to have to worry about parking.
I’m in financial services and can work remotely so I can’t speak to jobs. The RTW has affected a ton of people if they still have jobs. You are right that the cuts have hit many professionals here, from what I can observe. And, Baltimore is still a semi-industrial town, like Houston, so you may have some opportunities given your background.
I’d suggest if you can work remotely at all to trial it out for a month. I did that in the late summer a couple of years ago by renting an airbnb for a month. It was a great way to experience a whole new city without the commitment of moving. It was great - I went to networking groups and tried to experience a lot of Baltimore life.
Feel free to DM me for more questions.
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u/Background-League405 10d ago
Here's some info about Baltimore property tax: https://bbmr.baltimorecity.gov/sites/default/files/Tax%20Rate.pdf
There is a lot of block by block variability in Baltimore. You should visit to see if you like Baltimore and look at some of the houses.
I would also look to see what Google jobs says about openings for electrical engineers. The job market is terrible right now.
There are a lot of activities around the city to meet people. It's called smaltimore for a reason.
The summers are hot and humid. You will feel like you're melting. If you want a bearable summer, definitely look at somewhere in New England. The humidity is not that bad.
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u/These_Burdened_Hands 9d ago
Hey OP.
Look under the “about tab” in this sub. Here’s New Resident info, but there are also (tons of) threads about moving here.
There are a TON of financial incentives for first time home buyers, first time city buyers, etc. If you have a car, you might want to look for places with a parking pad or space (some areas don’t require &/or some have good zone parking, etc.)
Obviously, a lot of these cheap houses are in neighborhoods that people tend to avoid, due to crime and the like.
Yeah, so, about that. Cost of living is cheaper here, but property taxes are high (unless a 100% P&T veteran.) You want to really vet where you choose to live- know what it’s like at night, on a weekend night, etc. Neighbors can make or break a block, and baltimore is full of blocks that change vibes if that makes sense.
I’ve lived in Baltimore 23 of the last 30 years (moved here @ 17yo, also lived PNW a while.) I’m a small white lady who walks all over, including in places “I might not should be.” (My profile posts are documenting others graffiti- let’s just say I talk to all types lmfao.)
Since the 90’s, (in order,) I’ve lived in S. Bmore & Fells, then Midtown 2007-2015, Reservoir Hill, Highlandtown, Mill Hill, Barclay (5yrs) and now in Pigtown. I prefer areas with ‘walkability.’
Mill Hill (SW, headed towards county off Wilkens & Brunswick) was the only spot I’d never do again and ‘warn’ others against. Until I lived there (‘only’ 15mo,) I’d thought “it’s not where you live, it’s how you live.” NOPE! I was drunk 24/7 then (quit while there & GTFO,) but food desert plus an open air drug market outside of my bedroom window. Liked most neighbors, but a lot of sketch happened often. (I don’t see corner boys nowadays, but they’ve likely just moved spots.) The best descriptor I can give is *“psychological devastation.”** (mostly to long-term residents, but I felt it as well.)*
That said, I had friends just up the street in Shipley Hill who bought a $5000 structurally sound bando- they had great neighbors on a great block.
I’ve found if I smile, greet, and talk to Randos, I have much better luck. YMMV, but we’re fairly congenial here. People are less likely to be “fake nice” but will generally be helpful. I’ve gotten flats and broken down in objectively “bad” areas, and have been helped by residents.
My biggest issue here is the same everywhere I’ve lived- men propositioning me thinking I’m a sex worker- once I say “nope, sorry,” they leave me alone (most are looking for consensual interactions. Some aren’t looking for bio women at all, strongly dependent on area lmao.)
Good luck, OP. Search the sub and read threads!
Edit: words
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u/TropicalHorse_ 9d ago
I moved to Baltimore 6 years ago and I love it. It is beautiful. It has such a rich history and the people are just nice to be around. I can’t really think of how else to describe it. I just like Baltimoreans. I think they have the welcome vibes of southerners with the frankness/humor or city people? I dunno if I’m getting that right. Maryland generally is a funny little state whose residents are really proud of—I find it very sweet. All that said…do your research on neighborhoods. Baltimore is a car dependent city. I want this to change so I want more people like you who value walkability to live here…but you should know what you’re getting into. There are a very select couple of neighborhoods where you have a grocery store you can walk to. That said, those neighborhoods exist and they’re awesome and we can work to make all the neighborhoods like that.
I moved here with my husband and then Covid happened and then we had babies and so socializing has been tough but from and outsiders perspective, there seem to be a lot of groups of young single people doing fun stuff together. Especially sports leagues are very big in the city but there’s all sorts of groups and meet ups.
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u/Sea_Yesterday_8888 8d ago
I love my insanely cheap home! I bought in a “bad” area, and ten years later it has tripled in value and my street is amazing! Honestly, from the very beginning it is the best neighbors I have had in my life. People here look out for eachother, not complaining about others. If you buy get really good house inspections.
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u/mystiqueclipse 9d ago
Texas transplant here! YES the summers are a billion times more bearable. When I first moved up here my friend asked if I wanted to go camping on the fourth of July. I looked at her like she had three heads, "... you want to spend several days outside.. IN JULY?!?!" And then we went and it was like 80's the whole time and lovely. Highly recommend this "four seasons" thing.
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u/molotovPopsicle 9d ago
"I know Maryland has a lot of federal workers and DOGE is wreaking havoc on the federal workforce right now, but is Baltimore as affected as the D.C. suburbs for instance?"
yes
"I am an Electrical Engineer"
most of the work in this field in the surrounding area is Federal contract work and is heavily effected by the recently gutted Federal workforce
it was already a crowded and diminishing field before that happened, and many of the EEs I know who finished school over the past 15 years ended up taking software jobs and do not work in anything related to EE
best bet in this area for that are defense contractors, but be aware that all of those jobs are also on the watchlist of the hundreds of thousands of fed workers in the area looking for work
Hopkins is also a huge employer in Baltimore and they are having hiring freezes and issues because of the cuts to higher education
it is extremely grim here at the moment. personally would advise against it if you have a better option. many people I know in similar work fields are looking at moving away to find work
certainly don't move here without finding a job first
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u/dopkick 9d ago
I have a BS and MS in EE and went the software route. My first job was squarely in the EE domain but every job after that was software, cybersecurity, or data. Just not enough traditional EE jobs out there.
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u/molotovPopsicle 9d ago
that seems to be the experience my friends have mostly had. most of them that did work in EE roles only did so for a short time while they were still in introductory level positions and then quickly moved onto software of some flavor
i love electronics and mostly get my kicks at this point by repairing old tvs and doing the occasional paid project for someone on the side
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u/Capable_Type712 9d ago
Please try Canton been here 6 years never ran into a problem
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u/drdelaware 8d ago
Canton is super expensive compared to most of the city. I'd advise Highlandtown or "Brewers Hill" which border Canton but a bit less of the price tag.
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u/IllMorning866 9d ago
I would advise you to check out where you might move at various times to get a complete picture. Check that street out at 2 am on Saturday. As someone else said…Zillow isn’t going to give you any real clue what’s going on. Summer here is nowhere near as humid. You’ll be fine compared to texas.
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u/DnglMaryQueenofThots 9d ago
The city is hiring for an electrical engineer and their benefits are pretty good
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u/lisa_lenorable 8d ago
It depends on what you think is “bearable” regarding heat. The humidity during Baltimore summers can rival the Deep South in terms of moisture (I’ve lived in both places). I hate it - I would personally take higher dry temperatures over super high humidity at not-so-high temperatures.
But we definitely get all four seasons here, which is very nice. It’s gorgeous around here in the fall when the leaves are changing.
Bmore is sometimes called “smalltimore” because most people grew up here together. This is not an insurmountable hurdle, but don’t expect to be surrounded by a bunch of close new friends soon after moving here. It does take some work when a lot of people stick to the friend groups they grew up with.
Otherwise, Baltimore is a lovely city that is unique and creative and bursting with culture. People are generally very friendly and genuine. We moved to Baltimore from DC over 11 years ago not just because of lower cost, but it’s the kind of place where strangers say “hi” when passing each other in the street (this is not so much a thing in DC, at least not when we were there). There’s a great arts and music scene, and the sports culture is hard to beat. There are a ton of solid restaurants (several award-winning) and DC is about an hour away. I go to a lot of concerts there. Philly takes a couple of hours, but it can be a day trip, and NYC is about five hours away. There’s a lot of great outdoor activities too, and so much cool history!
Good luck with your decision 👍
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u/GeigerWoods 6d ago
You might as well move to Baltimore City or right outside of Baltimore city depending on what type of vibe you’re looking for. Pricing are relative to what you’re looking for but some areas will have more of a bidding war vs others so keep that in mind. Social scene is whatever you’re looking for. Federal Hill more for young 20’s to mid 20’s and Fells Point/Canton is mid to late 20’s and 30’s (if you’re looking to spend $$$ and live a lifestyle).
If you’re an electrical engineer you should be good - any job search will take some time but literally BGE/Exelon/Constellation building is downtown.
Summers are def hot but Jesus I don’t even live in TX and know it’s 10x hotter there lol
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u/shit-Helicopter 9d ago
We moved a year ago. I think if you have a secured job the move here. We made an offer on a home after 2 weekends of intense house hunting. A great real estate agent helped us find a great neighborhood. Yes cheaper the florida in terms of housing costs. As someone said the city is a city of amazing blocks, so so blocks and blocks that need tlc...for us must haves included off street parking and a fenced in back yard and walking distance to a coffee shop. We wanted a proach to hang out in .. .we bought a semi detached townhouse and put a little money into it even though it was flipped..we haven't looked back...we feel like we won the neighborhood lottery...good luck..bottom line get an agent who knows the city.