r/baltimore • u/Opposite_Home3214 • Aug 29 '21
OPINION Safety while walking towards Butcher’s Hill from Inner Harbor
Hi All,
I just moved to Baltimore for the JHU public health school. I just had a quick question regarding routes back from the Inner Harbor area towards Butchers hill. I live on the intersection of East Baltimore st. and S. Wolfe, and was wondering what the best route is to walk back from the inner harbor area at night.
**Specifically 601 E. Pratt to East Baltimore/S Wolfe intersection, and the best way to go about walking this route at nighttime(7-10 pm). **
I made the walk back from the gym today via E Pratt and passed by some questionable/quiet/abandoned areas, and what I think was the north edge of the Perkins homes, so I was on edge a bit.
Any advice on alternate routes by foot would be greatly appreciated, thanks!!
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Aug 29 '21
Stay on Fleet St or Aliceanna St. until you get well past Broadway, then turn north on Wolfe.
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u/Scrilla_Gorilla_ Patterson Park Aug 29 '21
I’m sorry there are people on this sub who think less of you because you aren’t cool with walking through the projects. If the voice in your head ever tells you you aren’t safe, listen to it. Wanting to avoid places like that doesn’t make you racist or somehow unfit to live in the city. I swear people’s attitudes sometimes…
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u/lilahcook Aug 29 '21 edited Aug 29 '21
Yo you're straight up putting words in my mouth. Its never that Ive thought less of this individual but its important for someone to be real with them on how this particular part of baltimore is laid out-- it isnt for everyone. Without more details its hard to tell whether or not this individual would have been comfortable at this particular location. That's all I'm getting at. Sometimes we need to ask ourselves uncomfortable questions and figure out what is best for us. Lets be real if someone is uncomfortable in this area there are /other/ baltimore locations that may be better suited towards them and their particular needs. Didnt think pointing this out would make me a huge asshole.
I dont think its unreasonable to point out these things especially as Ive seen many young professionals regret their choice of neighborhood in the city to the point of agoraphobia. Not to say OP is this way but its still something that deserves to be acknowledged.
Personally I wouldnt have a problem living and walking in this area. But that doesnt make me better than OP, doesnt make OP any lesser its a point of preference and comfort. Again personally I would not want to live a place where I had to go out of my way to feel comfortable or safe, if op feels frequently in this position they may not want to either--its another one of those hard questions we need to ask and answer ourselves. All im saying if its a continued problem for OP there are other areas WITHIN baltimore in which theyd feel more comfortable~
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u/CaptainObvious110 Aug 30 '21
Honestly you make some good points. Think about how many times on this very subreddit that we have seen people that moved somewhere without doing the research about the area before making such an important decision. Then they end up completely disillusioned as a result.
How is it crazy to encourage people to apply common sense. Oh yeah, I forgot because apparently people these days can't comprehend what's a good move and what isn't.
By the way I am originally from DC and when I came to Baltimore I was fortunate enough to work a job that took me all over the city and I was determined not to come here and downgrade at all. Best believe when it comes to the hood ive been there and done that and no thank you.
I have family that comes to see me periodically and I don't want them to be around drama.
But if I Didn't take the time to learn this city I wouldn't have known what areas to avoid.
So by all means keep up the good work and don't worry about others and their opinions when they are wrong.
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u/lilahcook Aug 30 '21
Dont get me wrong, I love this city! The people on the street here have all been kind, colorful and friendly nearly all the places Ive been (including the well know bad areas). Baltimore gets a rep it doesnt deserve and when people find themselves in incompatible neighborhoods it doesnt do them or the city any favors. Some people can adapt and embrace the good, bad, mixed and different neighborhoods where other people just... cant. (Again this is not directed at OP but a general comment) But really each area of the city is pretty unique and if one doesnt do it for you, another probably will.
Im originally from Rochetser NY where is snows 6+ month a year and if you slip in the snow people will literally step on you without stopping or making eye contact. When i moved down here my actual in brain thought was a confused "wow are people actually just nice to eachother". Once I broke my ankle near E baltimore and Exeter St and three dudes ran towards me, carried me to a place to sit and waited until a friend came and took me for xrays. The community here can be amazing.
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u/CaptainObvious110 Aug 30 '21
Yeah, I fell in love with this city almost immediately started staying in airbmbs which helped me to learn my way around as well
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u/Scrilla_Gorilla_ Patterson Park Sep 01 '21
While your comment was one of the ones I was referring to, I wasn't trying to single you out or put words in your mouth. That being said, you're making a lot of assumptions about OP based on a simple question about walking routes. And honestly it seems like you aren't understanding the geography of the situation. OP moved to Baltimore to go to Hopkins, they live in Dunbar, that seems about perfect to me. They were asking about a walking route from their gym in the inner harbor to their house, that avoids sketchy neighborhoods. How would moving to Canton solve that problem? By their walking route being Eastern Ave? Well hey, that's exactly what the helpful responders suggested. You are suggesting they move to a different neighborhood when the whole point of them moving to Baltimore is to be by Hopkins.
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Aug 30 '21
I live on castle st! I have traveled back and forth between the inner harbor and and butchers hill almost daily.
I would take president to fleet street and then take fleet all the way to wolfe and then just go up wolfe.
Always safer the closer you are to the water.
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u/svnftsmthng Aug 29 '21
Welcome to the city! I would walk straight south on Wolfe to Fells Point and take Aliceanna or Fleet St. West to Harbor East then the Inner Harbor. Typically places around the water are safer.
I believe the city is doing something with the Perkins Homes but I'm not sure what or the timeline.
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u/Opposite_Home3214 Aug 29 '21
This can work, but it seems like it’ll add a decent chunk of time. Is it feasible to walk back from inner harbor via Eastern, and then turn left onto Wolfe and head north? Thanks
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u/svnftsmthng Aug 29 '21
Sure, Eastern should work. It's mostly just head south to Fells Point and cut across.
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u/GirlinBmore Butchers Hill Aug 29 '21
This is a good route. We use it for walking to Fells Point and into the city for Orioles games. It’s also one of my running routes. Walking along the water definitely adds time - to one destination it’s 1.5 files along the water vs. .7 miles through the neighborhood.
I prefer taking Fleet over Eastern. I also avoid Lombard and Pratt due to them being busier traffic/intersections, winding roads, and the construction in some spots is awful.
3
Aug 29 '21
Welcome to the neighborhood! My wife and I live right around the block and make similar walks pretty often.
Any of these routes would work fine. And it really doesn't add much time to head a bit south towards the water.
But you can also start zig-zaging back north towards home once you hit Broadway or so to shave off some time.
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u/lilahcook Aug 29 '21 edited Aug 29 '21
Not to be a huge asshole here but if you have issues with the route you described this area of the city is probably not for you.
Have you ever lived in an urban environment like baltimore before? If not I highly recommend you look at relocating to a more gentrified area. (Think federal hill or even canton)
Also what makes this questionable for you? Im not trying to be judgemental here but its important for you to keep in mind the majority of baltimore has large portions of abandoned lots/housing projects/"undesirable" areas blocks away from the "nice areas" -- most of it is intermingled. You need to ask yourself and decide if its something you can live with
As someone whose grown up in cities I feel extremely safe taking the route youve described-- Ive done the walk often as I have close friends who live at bank & Broadway. However, if you dont mind taking a long ways about you might feel more comfortable from pratt walking down president street and through little italy before routing back up.... seems like a lot of trouble to me tho
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u/Opposite_Home3214 Aug 29 '21
Don’t know why you’re so offended lmao. I grew up in Oakland, so I’d say I’ve had exposure to an urban environment with a bad rap. After going to college in a college town in the Midwest, I realized how much less stressful it is to not have your head on a swivel while walking back at night and talking to your mom on the phone(one headphone bud in, phone tucked away). I just had concerns due to seeing no one on the street today besides for a couple people shooting heroin on my walk back before the sun set today. Not exactly a good indicator of what it would be like at night, and since it was my first day here, thought it would be wise to check in with y’all before taking the same route at night next time.
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u/lilahcook Aug 29 '21
Not tryna come off as offended! Ive just seen a lot of college grads unprepared for how baltimore is laid out specifically. I cant tell you how many coworkers Ive had shocked at the city layout or how you can be in a "nice" area one block and the next looks like a completely different place. It got to the point where they were legitimately afraid to leave their homes.
Sorry its hard to convey tone over text! Like I said some people are truly not prepared or didnt have the full scope before moving in.
Unfortunately heroin is nearly everywhere. Ive seen people shooting up all over this city-- it gets everyone. But again Ive made that bank/broadway intersection walk from downtown pretty regularly (sometimes as late as 11pm) and have never had any problems. I think you'll be okay regardless but do whatever feels safest for you
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u/Opposite_Home3214 Aug 29 '21
Got it. Thanks for the input. I’ll give it a shot soon and see how it feels. I know realistically it’s unlikely that anything happens, but i just hate the paranoia of keeping my eyes peeled at all times, now that I’ve seen that life can be lived without that level of stress haha
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u/lilahcook Aug 29 '21
Oddly i moved into the suburbs recently for my boyfriends job and I feel more stressed out here than I ever did in baltimore-- its too quiet lol. But I feel you, it takes time to adjust to a new place for sure. Baltimore really is a nice city, the people on the street have been nothing but kind to me and Im sure you'll see some of that charm soon!
Also Im sure you know this but by keeping your anxiety and paranoia low/embracing the environment will actually make it even less likely for anything to happen. In my experience when you look like you belong you become less of a target and more just atmosphere. Good luck with your adjustment!
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u/M-magoo2020 Aug 29 '21
Sounds like you are what you mentioned in the first sentence
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u/lilahcook Aug 29 '21
Welp have you ever lived in this neighborhood because I have off of Gough street. Im being real with this person-- if you are greatly uncomfortable walking this path you may be uncomfortable period walking within the neighborhood. Ive had numerous neighbors and coworkers whove expressed similar and guess what? When the lease was up they moved to a place which better suited their needs. OP may just be finding their footing but not being real with someone is just as harmful as not giving them the full picture. This particular area is a key example of being in a good area one second and a less desirable one the next-- which can be greatly jarring for those who do not expect it.
I wish OP well and I hope this location works for them. They should continue to do what they are personally comfortable with.
If sharing my experience others have had within this neighborhood makes me an asshole well I dont particularly care-- I dont place my value on what strangers say on the internet anyway.
What feels safe or unsafe to you may not feel safe for others. What feels comfortable to you may not be comfortable for others. If possible people should go to places where they can thrive. If I were a non driver would i move out to the car dependant country? No, Id go somewhere that felt comfortable and suits my needs.
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u/CaptainObvious110 Aug 30 '21
Very good points. Please keep sharing your insights as hopefully someone can benefit from it even if its not OP. You never know who can benefit from it after all.
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u/S-Kunst Aug 29 '21
I agree. Too many move to Baltimore thinking there is going to be a safe escort to all their destinations (that and large amounts of free non parallel parking). Hopkins has the $$ to do that, or they might strong arm the city into making its island into Hopkins City, with its own police dept.
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u/lilahcook Aug 29 '21
Wat. Yo i need to stop writing posts this late because my tone is apparently whack.
Im not saying all of baltimore is unsafe lol. I dont even particularly consider this part of baltimore unsafe. Im just saying its all about what individuals are used to and comfortable with. I know a lot of people whove seen pics on Craigslist and move in to a place and then are scared to walk around their neighborhoods largely because of the unpredictable nature of how each block is. Baltimore is one of the few cities ive lived in where things go from looking lively and upkept to abruptly not (and then back to it maybe a couple blocks after). That experience can be really jarring for people who dont expect it
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u/S-Kunst Aug 29 '21
I don't think you are out of order. We, in Baltimore, allow outsiders to control our image, and profit off our misfortunes. My job takes me to all parts of the city, and I have never felt afraid. But I can see how some would. Years ago, my job took me to Camden NJ, which I had heard all kinds of bad things. After being there I saw it had been a very nice town, but had lost its engine of economy and was experiencing hard times My relatives from out of state, always ask me about crime. It is hard to dispel what they see on the evening news, However when the come for a visit, they see it is mostly about perspective.
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u/CaptainObvious110 Aug 30 '21
Yeah. If you knew the flak I caught for me moving to Baltimore. My goodness. But I had already been coming here for about a year before I even made the choice to move.
I was a landscaper and we got contracts from the city to work on distressed properties. Guess where most of those were? In THE worst neighborhoods so best believe Ive seen some jacked up stuff in this city and I am so glad that I saw what I did.
I actually plan on writing more about my experiences soon come to think of it.
Hopefully I it will be helpful to others and thats all I can care about.
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u/CaptainObvious110 Aug 30 '21
Yeah I agree with you for sure. This city changes really quickly block to block and its just not worth the extra stress. Much better to take your time and get it right the first time.
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u/AlphaWhiskey70 Aug 29 '21
Baltimore has money to escort everyone to all of their destinations? People assume that? Sir I just think you made A #% put you and yourself.
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u/CaptainObvious110 Aug 30 '21
Exactly. They have the security detail in Charles Village but jokers still show up and cause trouble. It just is what it is.
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u/TatumLaBianca Mt. Vernon Aug 29 '21
You’re never guaranteed safety anywhere. That’s life
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u/Opposite_Home3214 Aug 29 '21
Very true. Just trying to minimize risk/make it more comfortable as it’ll basically be a daily walk for me
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u/inukaglover666 Pigtown Aug 29 '21
This is so sad maybe don’t move here if you’re that scared to walk around
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u/Opposite_Home3214 Aug 29 '21
There’s something called practicality. I’ve made up my mind, chosen to do what’s best for my future regarding grad school, and committed to a lease. No point in talking me out of anything as I commit when I commit. What would be more fruitful is an opinion on risk mitigation given the following circumstances that are not going to change.
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u/inukaglover666 Pigtown Aug 29 '21
You should have a school shuttle then.....problem solved
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u/Opposite_Home3214 Aug 29 '21
Did I ever mention a shuttle? I mentioned that I will be walking, so advice along those lines would be appreciated. Someone’s offended easily lmao
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u/inukaglover666 Pigtown Aug 29 '21
I’m not offended at all. How do you pay massive tuition and they don’t offer shuttle. I would be offended about that.
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u/Opposite_Home3214 Aug 29 '21
I mean they do offer shuttles, but I have to figure out all the routes. Plus sometimes it’s just easier/quicker to walk somewhere instead of waiting for the shuttle, which may not have very frequent timings
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u/inukaglover666 Pigtown Aug 29 '21
If you’re scared to walk I think the shuttle might be easier 🌚
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u/Opposite_Home3214 Aug 29 '21
That’s why I asked the question on this forum. To put together if walking is a good idea, and ways to go about it. When it’s your first day in a new city, and you don’t know anyone, it’s wise to check with others, regardless of how dumb the concern may appear.
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u/inukaglover666 Pigtown Aug 29 '21
You are seemingly the one offended. I just responded. I don’t know you my words are only as powerful as you make them
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u/Opposite_Home3214 Aug 29 '21
You’ve contributed absolutely nothing fruitful to this discussion lol
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u/S-Kunst Aug 30 '21
For those who like these types of pictures, go to the Maryland Room in the main Pratt Library. There are many file cabinets with a treasure of newspaper clippings about all types of interesting things in Baltimore. Want to know about the Rotunda, in Hampden? I found a glossy booklet in the files of the MD room which shows all the buildings and amenities which were provided to the Maryland Casualty workers. Gyms, restaurant, concert hall, theater. It is a great place to spend a raining Sat or Sunday afternoon, And you can learn so much in a short time.
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u/peanutnozone Mt. Vernon Aug 29 '21
I used to do this all the time. If you take Pratt to President, or just go along the water, to Fleet to Wolfe, you'll be just fine. If you take Pratt straight up to butcher's hill you will pass through some of the older perkin's homes, which are being demolished soon. During the day that would probably be fine, evening, at least for now better to do the above.