I think it's great that people are considering living in the city. Baltimore has a lot to offer most of these folks and hopefully some make the decision that Baltimore is the place to be. However, I personally do not believe that a large portion of these people will decide that the city is the place to live. The high taxes, high crime, generally poor schools, and parking issues do not shine the best light on city living. Sure there are some great things about the city (it's why I live there) but the majority of these workers have good incomes and families that will hinder Baltimore being their choice.

Also, as a fan of the Wire series and reading a lot about how it was developed and who wrote the stories, I highly disagree with the statement ""Although many people stereotype Baltimore by the storylines they see on HBO's 'The Wire,' it is a work of fiction". Ask any cop or local writer (Which the two writers of the Wire are) and they will tell you the series is dead on accurate.

I'm a BRAC person, though my story is atypical. I moved FROM Baltimore to NJ then back.

I recently purchased a home in Towson, while most of my colleagues who have relocated here have moved to Harford or Cecil, very few have chosen or are even seriously considering Baltimore City or County.

The "B word" scares them.

I am not, but if I were moving to the area, I would chose the suburbs.
Having kids would dictate looking for a safe/secure community with excellent schools.
While Baltimore may or may not be as bad as portrayed in "The Wire", it is still not a place I would want to raise my family.

My husband and I are Ivy League grads who have lived in inner city Balitmore for nine years. We have raised both our sons here and they have received excellent educations in the Baltimore City School system. Our older son is in the IB program at Baltimore City College High School and our younger son is in Ingenuity at Roland Park Middle (both are blue-ribbon schools). Even though we live in a neighborhood that actually appears on occasion on "The Wire," we have not had any trouble with crime. Give this beautiful city and its historic homes a chance.

What bryanintimonium said.

UnionSquare, i'm interested which neighborhood you live in, which you refer to as "inner city?"

skeptic, I'm guessing UnionSquare lives in Union Square. Here's a link to a neighborhood website: www.union-square.us

I'm part of BRAC, I am making the move in the near future. In my travels to APG have come to love Harford and Cecil, strong schools and close to base. Lower taxes then Baltimore, and more importantly, I'm giong to live closer to NJ and still be withing 15 mins of base.
Anyone moving down MUST consider a CLARK TURNER HOME. Since my wife is upset with the relocation, I promised she can design our new Clark Turner Home. Thanks and good luck

Jamie is right. Union Square lives in Union Square, among a racially diverse group of young professionals, families and empty nesters who love the Victorian park, Hollins Market restaurants, Southwest Baltimore Charter School and easy access to downtown, the MARC, and the Gwynns Falls Bike Path. Most of all we love the fact that we know and like our neighbors.

Steve McClain,

You wouldn't happen to be a salesperson who works for Clark Turner, would you? If you're going to shill for your company on a news blog, then at least have the decency to not bash Baltimore City in the process.

I apologize in advance if you truly are an APG employee and an enthusiastic CLARK TURNER HOMES buyer.

Union Square: As someone from an Ivy, I've heard so many fellow alumni use it as a trump card. As if our opinion matters more because we went more prestigious school. (And remember: At HYP the others are bashed.) But your posts suggest that you relish in pulling even more trump cards.

1. Why pull the race card? Is race the only thing that matters in diversity? There is more to people than skin color. Are you implying some superiority to wasps that move elsewhere? Your insinuation is subtle, but your other points make it clear. And I'm sure you're just frustrated, which is fine.

If you must know, one of the thing that drove me away from Baltimore were the race-based politics and what I perceive as reverse discrimination (for city bids) that hamstrings businesses and drives up taxes.

2. You were lucky to segregate your children from their underperforming peers in your neighborhood. My children might not have the same aptitude as yours; I cannot risk putting my children in an underperforming school if they don't test as well as your children to go elsewhere. Not everyone has the luxury of brilliant children.

3. Why acerbic tone about your neighbors? Those of us outside the city can do that, too, even if our houses are more separated and we aren't forced to come together to intentionally better our environment. Bonds can be formed under different circumstances, including wealth, safe neighborhoods, and overpriced status cars.

4. I once lived in the city and crime was a problem for my area. While I was never robbed, my neighbors were. A quick search of union square on crime stat from Aug 22 + 14 days shows that there was a rape, about 10 burglaries, 8 aggravated assaults, and several larcanies from vehicles. I'm glad that you haven't had anything happen to you, but your neighbors were less fortunate.

The "b" word will scare some just like cecil/harford will scare some. The fact is that where you decide to live is such a personal choice that neighborhoods are hard to choose from let alone counties. Luckily for the transferee, we have as diverse a choice as anywhere in the country.

Clark Turner? Bwahahahahaha

Look at the price history on this place crammed onto a postage stamp, sloped lot amongst 50 year old homes in a neighborhood with street wide enough for one car, no sidewalks - oh, but you can see the green of a golf hole from an upstairs window! HA! Perfect for a BRAC-er. Buy now - already at a $179,000 discount! What will price be after another 262 days on the market??!!

http://alturl.com/xuxx

Darwin Rules, the link doesn't work unless you're registered on that site.

Beyond that, I beg of you folks -- let's not get into a "this builder is the BEST!!" // "No, the WORST!!" conversation. It makes my teeth hurt. Also, for that matter, "my jurisdiction is the BEST!!" // "no, it's the WORST!!"

OK jamie - understood. Thanks. Stick to forest, not trees (or homes built on treeless lots)

Well put, DR. Thanks.

Spot on assessment from "someone" and "MCG". I agree Jamie. One thing I like about this blog is that it doesn't have a lot of BSing about irrelevant topics. Let's keep it that way.

I think your "style of life", whatever it may be, will dictate to a certain degree, where you will live. After all, it's about you and the "quality of life" you can afford and be comfortable with.

To All BRAC personel. I just wanted to pass on a few words of advice for living in the Harford and Cecil county areas. First and formost, RESEARCH the area you want to live in. It you want to live in the country you need to accept that the farm next door to you will be doing farming activities, such as spreading manure, plowing , etc.... Complaining to the farmer and the county officials will only make you the ***hole that moved in. If its not your thing, there lots of semi rural areas that are very nice and quiet that you would like. Second, really research the builders you are interested in. Many of the local builders and developers see people moving in from out of state as easy marks. MAny of the builders will lie through there teeth on the subject of quality and location just to get your money. I have heard numerous stories of homes less than 5 years old that are literally falling apart due to shoddy construction. There are a number of small custom builders who do outstanding work an are honest to a fault. I only say all this because I have seen too many people get over charged and decieved by people only caring how much money they could squeeze from them. Just use your head and dont be taken in by all the fancy add ons and you will come out on top and find both countys to be a great place to live. Best of luck and I hope this helps.