How do you like your neighborhood?
Baltimore surveyed residents to see what they think about safety, taxes, cleanliness and the like in their neighborhoods and the city overall. Annie Linskey wrote a story about the "sometimes-contradictory" results:
Baltimore is a dirty city with few good jobs. But it's also a green city whose residents love their neighborhoods, public parks and libraries. Their biggest worry is crime, but they consider their own blocks quite safe.
One part of the survey asked for bottom-line reactions: How likely are you to recommend living in your neighborhood to friends, recommend living in Baltimore, recommend buying a home there? Would you recommend the city as a place to raise children or to retire? And how likely are you to move out of the city in the next one to three years?
Good questions. I'm interested in how you would answer them about your neighborhood and jurisdiction, whether you live in the city or somewhere else. So: survey time!
Sign up for the At Home newsletter 
Comments
my neighborhood is not that friendly i am charged for trash that neighbors leave in my alley,so i put trash can in alley,people bring trash out of homes and put in my trashcan,city wants to give me a fine for trying to have a clean block. not fair at all.
Posted by: allen johnson | October 17, 2009 9:04 AM
How do I like my neighborhood? I don't know...I just moved. Ask me again in a week! =P
I will say that the builders doing new townhouse communities need to widen driveways, streets, and provide more parking. I've been surprised how tight things are. I haven't talked to any neighbors yet, but everyone is focused on getting stuff inside. There is pizza delivery here and maybe there's ice cream trucks! I didn't have those in PA...too rural.
Posted by: BigDragon | October 17, 2009 10:47 PM
Hey, congratulations, BigDragon -- I know this move was a long-awaited one for you. Hope you decide you do like your neighborhood.
Allen, I'm sorry you're having trash problems. Did you contact the Baltimore Housing code enforcement people to see what they'd suggest, considering what you're facing?
Posted by: Jamie Smith Hopkins | October 17, 2009 10:51 PM
My neighborhood is Pigtown. Which has the potential to be a great area but the cornerstone of the whole area the commercial property at the corner of Washington Blvd. and Martin Luther King is a blight on the community. If a strong, viable business such as an Eddie's supermarket, Trader Joes, etc. could be located there the whole neighborhood would be transformed. Otherwise this will remain as an area that's been on the verge for over 20 years.
Posted by: John P. | October 18, 2009 7:32 AM
I like my neighborhood, its the next one that concerns me. Crime and grime in that neighborhood lower our property values and cause a general sense of unease at times.
Posted by: OverTheTop | October 18, 2009 7:52 AM
I agree with Allen, the city garbage enforcement is a joke. I got a fine about a year ago for trash that was not mine, but was dumped behind my house in the alley. I had to go fight the fine, which I won, but it was a wasted day. I have tried to call the enforcement branch of the city and to be polite, they are worthless and rude.
I can't understand some of the results from that poll. Especially the issue of parking. Parking around the main neighborhood areas of the city, Fells, Canton, Federal Hill, is a joke. Crime isn't too bad near me, but it is a major concern all around me.
Posted by: M | October 19, 2009 7:58 AM
As a teenage...I had friends that lived in the Ashburton Area. The homes were HUGE and the neighborhood was welcoming. The area was full of young black professionals. I found later that Mayor Schmoke lived in the area. As my husband and I lived in the city for over 10 years, we decided to venture into the County. The county (Pikesville) is/was a nice area...but I missed the city. The city was exciting and most of our family and friends lived in the city. After 12 years of living in the county...we decided to make that move back to the city...I indicated the only area I would consider would be Ashburton because of my fond memories as a teenager. We purchased a home in the area and rehabbed and have been living back for six years...I love it!
Posted by: H. Johnson | October 19, 2009 5:37 PM
I like my neighborhood...What I don't like are all the city owned abandoned homes. They make the community seem a lot worse than it is.
I think they should either sell the homes or tear them down and make green spaces. This would also help with trash and rats...But they won't do it because there aren't enough gentrifiers moving to my neighborhood...yet...lol
Posted by: Duane | October 21, 2009 9:20 AM