Hi Mid-A! I'm from NJ and used to be very active in the NYC Metro community until work and other priorities took over.

Anyway, my work may lead me to Hunt Valley for a year to two years. Hunt Valley is 15-20 miles North of Baltimore.

In anticipation of the relocation, I have several questions that I hope you guys can help me on.

The first one being, where is a good area to live? I will be renting as it is only 1-2 years before I return to NYC. I would prefer a better location than a larger space. It will only be me so a studio or 1br is plenty. From the research I have been doing, it appears that the Inner Harbor area is the most lively?

I would be interested in being in the center where many things are within walking distance (bars, restaurants, points of interest, etc).

How is the commute north from here in the morning? How is the return trip? Are the road conditions pretty good? Snow/winter tires a must? I will not be bringing my S2000 for the Winter and will be using my F80 M3. My work has a train stop 2 blocks away in Hunt Valley so if it's a really bad idea to drive, I can take the train.

I would be looking for a place with secure parking which is very important to me, I would assume many of the buildings there would offer that.

Anyway, hope you guys have some insight for me! Thanks in advance!

 

I make the commute from midtown to HV. It is opposite the flow of traffic so it is generally very light. However the hard part for you will be getting to and from 83 in the city.

 

i've lived in the city with an s2000 for 7 years or so... the past 3 haven't had the s2k actually but still live here with an STi that is now sold for an audi wagon. i frequent hunt valley every weekend for food as i'm an upstate ny boy and MUST go to wegman's. winter lasts from january to march, but a few snow showers in between november and march. be for warned: if there is a quarter inch of snow on the ground people around here forget how to drive (not even joking) and you have to be a super defensive driver when you go out. a good set of all seasons will get you by tho. i haven't had snows on my cars since i lived in syracuse. being in an m3, you might want snows if you already have them already, but not a MUST, just don't be stupid (duh). i'd get them for stopping reasons just because i don't trust morons down here in any sort of snow.

yes inner harbor is most lively (or fells point, fed hill etc) if you're going away from traffic you won't havae any issues with traffic, but as Chip said, getting to 83 can be the issue but its no where near as bad as philly/nyc area commuting even at its worst. on a good day its 20 minutes to hunt valley. on a bad day it could take 45


The light rail you are referring to is a pretty good way to get to hunt valley if needed. but be careful on game days (orioles, ravens), as it will be near impossible to find parking at the stops and you might need to wait a few trains to get on depending on time.

 

Also, unless you're living in the Zenith which is right next to the Light Rail, Fells Point and Fed Hill are not near the Light Rail. You would have to walk/taxi/bike to it. I believe Light Rail to Hunt Valley is 45 minutes if there are no delays. You would also need to plan for more time for the Light Rail, it's not like the LIRR/NY Subway/PATH where you can just hop on/mush in when the train comes, space is limited so you want to get there earlier.

 

Forgot about no stop in those areas. Thanks Evan.

 

Can I visit HiPER? I miss the Baltimore GP.

 

I'm in for a Metro reunion
Anuj
Wifey was stationed in DC/Maryland area for 2 years. I put DWS on her Z. She never had a problem. Good luck there bro' you will like it.

PS: And yeah she does bitch about the way they drive there in the snow

 

Thanks guys, ended up signing a lease for a place in Fells Point

 

I frequent the fells area on weekends, but live over in Fed Hill with my supercharged S .... welcome to Baltimore!

 

So now I have to visit you there to get my car coded?