Canton is a nice, overpriced community. I find it ironic that a realtor buys such an expensive home at the peak of the housing bubble. I am curious to know what this agent bought it for and how much equity has been lost. If I had to take a guess I would say the purchase price was around $500k and is now selling for $300k to $350k at best. Hopefully this agent got a better deal from the developer. Could you imagine putting down 20% ($100k) and two years later the money is lost? Then another two years after that you lose another $50k to $100k?

I am very fond of Canton, but it is one of the most frightening neighborhoods in terms of equity loss.

Property taxes $7,000 to $10,000 a year?

I don't understand why people have to hate on this lady who was just writing an article about the neighborhood that she likes? Maybe her and her husband are millionaires and don't care about a couple of G's worth of equity loss. She said she sold 10 houses on the block, so she is obviously doing pretty well with her real estate career.

Let's not get personal, folks. That's the rule on this blog anyway, but especially when someone's just writing about their neighborhood. (Canton, on the other hand, is fair game.)

Hey if the couple can afford the area, more power to them. They truly enjoy the whole reason you live in the city and cretainly take advantage of the location to enhance their lifestyle. We need more people commited to city life no matter where they live.

Anyone with a two-car garage in Canton knows nothing of life in the Real Canton. Try to find a parking spot in the evening. If you're lucky and do find one, someone will be happy to break into your car. Your neighbors are a bunch of just-out-of-college jerks who put their trash anywhere they like and never shovel their snow, since this is the first place they've lived without their mommy outside of campus housing. Spoiled white kids have ruined Canton.

What's all the griping about? I/f she loves her home, let her love her home! My husband and I just left a wonderful home in Tuscany/Canterbury and moved to a condo overlooking the harbor on the edge of Fells Point and Harbor East (but we took advantage of the bubble burst. We are absolutely loving it!!!! There is a real sense of community in the city and so much to do. Don't complain - just come and join in the fun of city living!!!!

I moved to Canton 9 years ago from Fells Point. I heard all the rumors of it being a stuffy location and full of yuppies who believed they were all mighty. What I have found in Canton is a real community with real people. And yes, Jamie was my agent when I purchased this home. I was very fortunate to have found Baltimore's premier real estate agent. She works extremely hard and plays just as hard. I am very happy to have her as a neighbor. BTW- Jack's Bistro is as awesome as she describes it.

The pettiness of these comments! taxes? equity lost? If she’s not complaining why do you care? She is writing a about the quality of life she enjoys, which should count for something, and the reasons she loves this neighborhood period. Now go back to your huts.

Why do you have to take out your misery of life on someone who is happy with theirs? She was just commenting on the love of her neighborhood, not the real estate market. Do us all a favor and keep your opions to yourself the next time. Way to bring people down.

Have any of you even looked at the home sales for the last three years in Canton?

Go to the Baltimore Sun lookup tool and do a search for zip code 21224 for 2009, 2008 and 2007. Its roughly the same throughout the three years.

The biggest difference is the amount of sales in the anchorage and waterfront townhomes as well as some short sales scattered around the neighborhood. For the most part, homes in the 200-400k range (ie, mostly everything) has kept their value pretty well.

North and east of Patterson park have taken big hits in price, but south of it not so much. This is to be expected as when the housing bubble burst, those sections of the city were the ones currently being gentrified and specced out the most. Canton south of the park at that point was already mostly done.

I disagree. While Canton has suffered a serious equity loss I think we are positioned well for the future. As opposed to Federal Hill, Canton has a lot of possible expansion area. New buildings such as Legg Mason stretching along the water’s edge will propel growth in the 5 year outlook in my opinion.

several people have told me that those firepits are illegal in Baltimore. Also fires on decks are illegal. Fires on rooftops are illegal. Firepits on rooftop decks would seem to violate all of those rules at once. Those laws exist for good reasons folks. Just sayin'.

You ever watched a rooftop catch fire and then jump from house to house while the ladder truck desperately tries to put it out? I have. Even after the fire is out, the water will still wreck everyone's basements.

I've lived in Canton all my life (over 50 years) and I wonder where the real estate agents were back in the 60's and 70's? Now that it has become YUPPIEVILLE, you have to beat the real estate clowns off with a stick. I'll take the Canton of my youth over the arrogant snobby YUPPIEVILLE it has become. The drunks yelling and screaming, not to mention urinating on the sidewalks and leaving beer cans and bottles all over the street when the bars close. I can't wait until I move then I will sell my property WITHOUT a real estate clown to the first illegal who comes up with the money; regardless of their race. That will really upsets the white YUPPIE scum that has overrun the once nice neighborhood.

She's doing very well, most real estate agents are overpaid for the amount of work they do. Do the math, an agent makes at least 3% of sale price. We can safetly say those 10 houses she sold were 300k or more each. That's 9,000 per house= 90,000 in comission total off that block.

Anyone with a two-car garage in Canton knows nothing of life in the Real Canton. Try to find a parking spot in the evening. If you're lucky and do find one, someone will be happy to break into your car. Your neighbors are a bunch of just-out-of-college jerks who put their trash anywhere they like and never shovel their snow, since this is the first place they've lived without their mommy outside of campus housing. Spoiled white kids have ruined Canton.

Posted by: EatTheRich | February 22, 2010 12:19 PM
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Amen! You said it. They talk about a "great sense of community" yeah right, you mean like the uppity scum who complained to the MTA to have the #7 bus route moved away from it's starting/ending point off of Boston Street? Did all you wonderful community people enjoy kicking the teeth in on the people who have to take that bus to work? Or those who need it to visit family at the nursing home in Canton? You really cared about them didn't you? What do you care; you have your two car garages don't you? Let the "lowlife" go elsewhere to get their buses. Sense of community my arse. Shame on all of you.

This is nothing but a shameless ad and like most agents, adds nothing of value or substance. If you want to focus on quality of life within the neighborhood, the opinion of the average citizen would be far better than that of an inherently biased agent.

And seriously, the 2 car garage puts her in an elite club above the average canton resident insulating her from what is probably the most irritating daily recurring quality of life problem in just about everyone of Bmore's "trendy" neighborhoods.

These comments are really getting to be ridiculous. Is it really necessary for people to use terms such as "spoiled white kids" and "white YUPPIE scum"?

Shameless Ad, I'm sorry you feel there was nothing worthwhile about this piece. I disagree, or else I wouldn't have posted it. Every so often I want people who live in neighborhoods across the Baltimore region to share with Wonk readers what makes their neighborhood what it is.

I'm hoping to get people from a variety of walks of life, but I'm not going to disqualify a real estate agent simply on the basis of her job.

I hope that Canton will continue to be a model of smart development. Mixed use = smart use. It has retail, proximity to restaurants and bars, good sense of community, and varied architectural styles. Great mix, though sometimes "overpriced". How do you put a value on helpful neighbors or accessible night life, or an amazing view? It's intangible, but that's included in the price when you buy in an area like that.

Hard to believe that I just read through so much anger and envy over an article written by one of Baltimore's best Real Estate agents who happens to love her heighborhood. For those that have to find parking, work for 20 years and then you will be able to afford a home with a garage - or maybe just ask Mommy and Daddy for it. Waaaaaaaaaaaaa! Get a life and stop being so bitter. Thanks Jamie for loving Canton and being such a great person to have in the community.

Maybe some of us "spoiled white kids" worked our butts off in college, got nice jobs, and paid for everything on our own....nah couldn't be possible. some of you ppl are absolutely miserable and should play in traffic. stop assuming that everyone is spoiled, perhaps an education and work ethic allowed us to live in canton.

Man, people need to relax a little bit. I like reading about different neighborhoods and know Canton fairly well. I have a few friends that have lived there for several years and they all love it. I agree that it is a little crowded and parking is terrible, but everyone needs to relax. This woman took the time to write about her neigborhood and most of you are acting like idiots. I like hearing debates about areas and ideas, but this has crossed the line to 5th grade name calling. Grow up.

Good Grief!!! - Glad I don't live there. whew

Amie, the article surely isn't a "shameless add" but there IS some trace of guerrilla marketing for sure...I like to read this blog, but whenever some realtor gets involved, the readers' reaction gets slightly furious. Sign of the time?

Don, no question. That's why I want a wide range of backgrounds for these resident-written pieces: I don't want to create the impression that they're intended to pad anyone's bottom line.

I live here now and I think it's a mixed bag. I've lived in Fells, Charles Village and Remington. So far it's got pros and cons. I rent so I miss the equity loss although I am overpaying now versus going rate so I will probably move to a more reasonably-priced house this summer. I live within walking distance of at least 5 or 6 long-time friends. I can ride my bike or walk to work at Hopkins if I feel like it so I never need to pay for parking at work. As was driven home during the snow--I don't really have to drive anywhere. I can walk to get groceries, take-out, or beer and wine. I can walk to restaurants and pubs (both yuppie and divey).

My main beef is that there really is a lot of NIMBY attitude here. I would love to take public transit downtown and across the east-west corridor down here but the opposition to the red line is insane. As walkable as the hood is, people are terrified of not having parking...as if you need 2+ cars per house when transit is decent. I have spent enough time in DC to know how awesome it is to have metro a few blocks away so I can't wait to get the red line down here.

As yuppie as people think Canton is, there are plenty of us who don't fit the mold and just like decent rental homes in walkable neighborhoods.

It is difficult to adequately convey just how ignorant most of these readers sound and must be.

I am so tired of the "Yuppie" hatred I see so often in these posts. Forgive us for being young and successful and wanting to work and move into the area. Do you actually think an influx of people (and thus business) to Canton--or any neighborhood--is a bad thing? Stop generalizing an entire generation of people. You sound like a moron every single time you do it.

When the generation that's lived here for 50 years is gone, who do you expect will take their place? And when the cranky, bitter, 60 year resident tries to sell his house for the retirement home, the demand that the white, snobbish, yuppie scum have created will insure that you make probably 3x your investment back when you close.

And guess who's going to make that sale possible in a tough market? That's right, the Real Estate agents you so carelessly and jealously disparage. The Realtor hatred is almost as infuriating as the young-white-person hatred. Get over yourselves.

And anyone complaining about parking? Get over that, too - it's a part of city life. You sound so whiny its nauseating. If you're tired of street parking, move to the county or save up for a house with parking attached.

Its a shame that our society has gotten to a point when people who are unhappy with their own lives feel the need to tear other people down to make themselves feel better. Canton is one of the nicest neighborhoods in the city....just drive around NW and NE Baltimore and see for yourselves. This city needs more people like the author who takes pride in their neighborhood and is willing to put some effort into improving it. And for those who don't like the "yuppies", maybe they should think what this city would look like without the tax revenue generated by these people.

Oh...forgot to mention that the amount of money we save by only having one car more than makes up for the couple hundred more I pay per month versus another less "trendy" neighborhood. I'm willing to pay for proximity.

I am an educated 'yuppie' who did not grow up in Canton. I vote and I own my home. I am raising my family here. I keep my alley clean, my sidewalk clean and clear and dont put my trash out early.

Unfortunately, I am an exception.

This neighborhood is filled with young renters who are not invested in Canton in any sense of the word. They dont care if the neighborhood is clean or safe. They never get to know their elderly neighbors. They dont vote or get involved in community affairs. Why?

Because Canton is "College: Part Two" to them. They are here to drink and walk to the bars and find their future spouses. At which time, they are out of here.

That really undermines the spirit and sense of a real community.

I have lived in Canton for the past 7 years. A friend and I bought a row home in 2002 for 90K, tore everything out but the rafters out and built a nice little pad. It's currently on the market for 260 if anyone is interested... Besides shilling for my house, I wanted to note that a lot of folks in Canton have put many hard hours and hard earned dollars into their rowhomes. I couldn't be happier with my neighbors, proximity to bars (corner and yuppy) and I've never had to park more than a block from my house. Let's not paint everyone in Canton so poorly.

Sounds like a lot of the canton bashing stems from jealousy. Some people just can't stand it that other people are actually happy! Take responsibility for yourself and stop worring about / envying other people.

So funny all the hating on canton. I purchased my four story (includes dug out finished basement, and added on masterbedroom with walk out deck) in August of 02, even now I can sell it for a huge profit. There is no comparison with canton and the other section of the city. Yes it is a yuppie area for young professionals, and young couples for the most part, but there are sections like this in every city, so deal with it. While some of you belittle this woman, after writing such an article, I will stand up and applaud her for being proud of where her and her husband live and enjoy their life. Good for you Jamie loved your thoughts. I apologize I can't write anymore, but I have to go write out my $6,400 property tax check due this week. Have fun in fed hill and fells point.

We purchased a house in Canton about ten years ago. One of the reasons we purchased in Canton was the wonderful neighbors. Our block contains a mix of older and newer residents owners and renters. We care about our neighbors, our block and our properties. Not every block is like some squalid fraternity row. Not every young resident is a heartless yuppie. We are looking forward to many more happy years here! You're certainly entitled to your opinions however some of them seem a bit exaggerated.

BTW, I heard of many pre- and foreclosures in Canton. Again an exaggeration, or truth?

I would like to know if there's any affordable housing in Canton, Condo overlooking the East Harbor must be nice." Egypt On The Chesapeake" don't know better ask somebody.

I love Canton! My husband and I retired here 11 years ago, before the increase in prices. We can walk to everything we need, grocery store, church, doctor's office, and affordable places to eat. We have wonderful neighbors, both young and old, and we have fantastic block parties. We have a plot in the community garden in Patterson Park, and we enjoy the ethnic festivals, concerts, and other activities there. This is a wonderful place to live!

CAS

I know this Realtor personally. I know how long & hard she works at her job. Whether sick, in physical pain, while on vacation, during holidays, no matter what, she gives no less than 110% to her chosen profession at all times. As a result she has been very successful. She bought a lovely home in Canton because she believes in the area and she loves it there. How refreshing to have a Realtor actually live in a home in an area that she markets. Not like those celebs on TV who get paid to do commercials & get the product they push for free. Or politicians who try to sell us on a plan that will in no way ever affect them. I know that Jami would give the same glowing report of the Canton area even if she wasn't a Realtor. So stop using that against her and her heartfelt opinion of the area. She's entitled to it. Willa-Ann Wagman

i lived in canton for 10 years. moved in november 09. grew up in the city. i know how to live here. i experienced ridiculous things in canton in the last 5 years. young people using the front of my house for a urinal, (EVERY weekend), no parking, people parking on top of your bumper, (causing damage), car side swiped, motorcycle stolen, scooter stolen, broken bottles everywhere, parties on the front sidewalk at 2am and later. We moved. i'm 39. lived in the city all my life. many of these people are not residents. but some are. i did buy in the city. just another part of it. keep your million dollar URINALS!

I am moving to my 3rd house in Canton on Saturday. Have been here for 7 years and will not be moving out any time soon. Frankly, we could live anywhere in the metro area and looked many communities, but my wife and I decided Canton is where we want to live and raise both of our kids. It's not for everybody, which is fine, but don't understand all of the anger. If you don't want to live here, don't. Stop hating...

I lived in Canton for over 50 years. The last two homes had to be gutted and brought up to code. Once they were done you had a home suited for your lifestyle. The reason for moving out of state was the yuppies taking over the neighborhoods and the State and City taxes on the property. Canton has everything you would want the views, restuarants, entertainment etc. The best thing is you can actually walk and not drive. The yuppies are pushing the older residents out of their homes. When you retire your income decreases but the taxes continue to rise. It became unaffordable for an older residents to live in this desired area. Canton restuarants, parks, and enterainment are the highlight of the area. People coming into Canton to party should be more respectful of the residents and their property and the City and State should give the older residents a break.

I really hope that Canton isn't the neighborhood that kills the Red Line. This city needs public transport, and the rich waterfront residents seem determined to hold up the whole thing. I live in Upper Fells Point, and while our neighborhood isn't nearly as nice as Canton, we get a lot of the the same NIMBY attitude.

Maybe with Ed Hale's businesses all going in the tank, the state will reconsider the Red Line route and run it down Eastern Avenue. I would support that.

I didn't know the story about the #7 bus terminus being moved. I'm not surprised.

The points by commenters that the author doesn't experience the real Canton with a 2 car garage are completely valid. Parking (and vehicle crime) is one of the biggest negatives about living in the city, and she doesn't have to deal with it.

i was born at city hospital, and raised on the 800 block of port st. i am a true canton resident. i love that the neighborhood has been revitalized. but to be honest... i miss my old neighborhood. i miss the continental bar on fait and rose, kelch's on fait and milton. mr emils store on fait and port. anyone who remembers these stores are lucky to have seen this neighborhood in it's prime. working class,blue collar families. i LOVED my neighborhood. if i was out playing in the streets when i was a kid, i was safe. there were families out then who all knew each other and had known each other for generations. it was a great place to grow up. im glad i had the experience. but when i'm down that way now(usually just to go to bayview carry out or sip and bite) i drive through the neighborhood and it tears me up to see what it has become. i mean, im all for progress, but i just miss the old families and comradirie. it was a great time. aand now it's gone. damn i miss my old neighborhood.....:(

"J.G." Hit the nail on the head. To add to those comments. Most city residents complain about "yuppie" people, but I really think it is just jealousy. Sorry someone younger than you was able to purchase a home and buy a nice car. Stop being so bitter that you were not as successful when you were younger. This city is in terrible shape now, but those "yuppies" provide a better tax base than almost any long time resident. When "yuppies" leave, the city will regret it big time. I guess I'm a "yuppie" and can't wait to leave the city. You get raked over the coals on everything.

I lived in Canton from 2001 until 2009 and in those years I found it's charm ever diminishing.

One of it's focal points - O'Donnell Square - has become one giant bar that lacks any real charm...just a lot of booze and a lot of 20 and 30 somethings drinking too much. Perhaps surprisingly I say that as I am a bartender.

Another of it's focal points - The Can Company is slowly turning into a suburban mall. It now has Outback Steak House, Lens Crafters, Radio Shack and Cold Stone Creamery as some of it's tenants. These are all stores that used to be common only in the suburbs not cities.

Canton's opposition to the MTA's Red Line Light Rail is curious to me. Most urban communities herald with great anticipation new and better mass transit options but not Canton. I can't quite fathom that opposition, especially when I see the ever-lengthening line of cars on Boston Street during rush hour but I suspect that it is veiled racism.

As a former carpenter and cabinet maker I am appalled at the quality of most of the re-habs in the area. For years anyone with a saw and a nail gun was in the re-hab game and many of them did some of the most shoddy and in some cases unsafe work I have ever seen. In addition to the shoddy work it seems to me that all the re-habs and new construction is really just a modified version of suburban residential construction just without the yards. They all more or less look the same.

When I first moved to Canton and many of the "old-time" residents still lived there and I would see more people - older and newer residents - sitting in front of there houses either on the stoop (a great Baltimore tradition) or leaving their front door open while in the house. The result of this is not only a greater feeling of community but I believe less crime as criminals don't like witness. These days front doors get shut and residents head upstairs to the roof top deck where they are insulated from the goings on about them.

The original poster claims that people who don't think they are "city people" should check out Canton because it is "a small town in a larger city" but I believe it is a "small suburb in a larger city".

I enjoyed my first years in Canton but found that it's "suburbanization" wasn't for me...so I moved on.

Now I live in a neighborhood in Baltimore City where I am close to public transportation, a myriad of restaurants, bars, shops and entertainment and a true variety of architecture. In my mind this is truly "city life".

another Canton resident here. I agree with several of the posters - the lack of public transit is a major issue. The routes of the 10, 11 and 13 buses barely make it possible to get from this neighborhood to downtown and the metro in less than 25 minutes (what is otherwise a 7 minutes drive). The opposition to the Red Line is ridiculous - I live within 50-100 ft of Eastern Avenue - put if there if the Boston Avenue set can't handle an easier commute to work. The taxes and parking are also negatives but you pay taxes everywhere and maybe one day people will understand how to park better (or agree to head in parking).

But the proximity to restaurants and shopping is fantastic here. You can avoid the frat-party atmosphere of O'Donnell Square pretty easily and get a great meal with less than a 5 block walk from almost anywhere. The Park is a huge yard for everyone - you can play with the dog, play touch football, hear some music or watch a movie in the summer, etc. All without cutting the grass. My block is friendly and people helped each other shovel snow. During the storm, I was able to walk to get groceries and supplies, and get a drink and a meal when I couldn't stand my living room anymore. It isn't as family oriented and easy as the Locust Point of my youth but I have also lived in suburbs and not known my neighbors.

I am a 23-year-old female homeowner in Canton who worked hard in college and at my job to be where I am right now. I fixed up a house close to the Square, and I love it. I plan to make Canton my home for years to come.

It saddens me that a majority of these posts are probably directed towards me: a recent college grad who likes to go out on the weekends. Yet, I do not "get in fights" and "pee on the sidewalks." I've made an effort to reach out to the older generation homeowners on my block, but I'd suggest the older generation to try to make an effort to get to know some of their younger generation neighbors as well. We aren't all drunken, immature, ungrateful "yuppies"!

I moved to Canton in 1996 and moved out of state in 2003. I still miss walking to O'Donnell Square, eating wings from Nacho Mama's with a blackened chicken quesadilla that was the best anywhere. 7 years later I still have Nacho Mama's phone number memorized. As far as equity is concerned, I paid $70k in 96 and sold for $160K in 2003. Life was good back then.

I'll take the yuppies and some bar noise over drug dealers, prostitutes, gang violence, and crime that plagues the rest of this city. If people don't like what canton has become, sell your house for a profit and move a few blocks north of patterson park where prices are cheaper...and tell me how much you like the neighborhood there!

Canton used to be nothing but deteriorating docks, crumbling warehouses (the can company used to be an abandoned eyesore with broken windows and faded paint), and run down townhouses. I've lived in canton for 15 years and have witnessed a good part of the transformation. I couldn't be happier with the progress the area has made.

I think that posters who say "if you don't like it than don't live here" miss the point of the posts of people who decry what has become and is becoming of Canton. I saw a once fun, funky and diverse neighborhood evolve into an "urban suburbs" and honestly am sad about it. I like where I live now and my previous post was a series of observations of what has come of Canton from my point of view.

If you still love Canton perhaps you shouldn't be so defensive but read and understand what people who don't think Canton is Shang-ri-la think of your neighborhood. Opposite points of view can often be enlightening and maybe even helpful. There is a chance that there are negative aspects of Canton that you overlook due to your love of the area and that at least considering that possibility might make it even more enjoyable for you to live there.

What does it matter. You all stay inside anyway, except for your nervous walk from your car to your 13 foot wide house.
Which is as wide as a mobile home, just in case you've ever called someone white trash for living in one.
You can woo hoo your neighborhood all you want, but when you're out of town and someone asks - where are you from?- Canton won't cut it - That little tinge of embarrassment is felt and you have to say Baltimore. ....

The people who live closest to the square have many legitimate gripes I'm sure, regarding the bar patrons. These patrons though are not necessarily Canton residents at all. Aside from that immediate area, I don't see a lot of 'Yuppies' careening around the neighborhood peeing on everything, throwing trash and disrespecting neighbors. The people who tend to be negligent about trash (using enough cans, not putting it out early) are renters, in my experience. I don't think that it's unusual for home owners to have more of a sense of pride and duty to their neighbors than renters.

I lived in Canton for a number of years and I think I get where some of the 'y word' animosity comes from. It is absolutely crucial that young, successful people inhabit Canton in order for it to grow and prosper. But I will say that as a (formerly) young person living in that neighborhood I saw some terrible behavior and disrespect from my peers towards the 'old guard' who have put their lives into keeping Canton safe, clean and viable. I wish that there was more outreach from BOTH sides to create a community. I do think that the constant influx of post-grads would do well to learn more about the area, their neighbors and ways to create a more harmonious living situation for all.

By the time I moved to upper Fells Point at age 27, I was too old. Canton/Fells is like Ocean City -- the closer you get to the boardwalk, the more expensive it becomes and the less you get for your money. Bring on the burbs, baby! Buying in Canton or Fells is a huge risk. I'd say it's almost a better deal to rent, unless you're really itching to become a landlord. At some point you're going to want to move to the county for the better schools. Why tie yourself down. I've got a buddy who's my age (30) and stuck in a Manayunk (Philly neighborhood hood comparable to Canton) rowhouse with two roommates. He's been wanting to move out for a few years now but has no choice due to the market.

I know a lot of recent college grads just dying to get into the financial peril that most of newish (2003 to present) owners of Canton properties are in. VERY HIGH TAXES, no parking, sketchy neighbors and Ridiculously high prices for a 1 Bath 1 1/2 bedroom place is exactly what grads these days want in addition to paying off their students loans.

To all you post-grads thinking about Canton -- you do not have to live in a trendy neighborhood to meet people, get dates, or have fun. You really don't. That's why God created Match.com (for dates) and the Maryland Outdoor Club (decentralized MD organization with lots of fun stuff to do). There's even some decent county bars if you're willing to give them a shot and get a DD. A little more legwork but probably worth it.

You WILL pay dearly for that rowhouse. Caveat emptor.

Very interesting reading. I have learned a lot about Canton! I agree with certain points of both sides. I have lived in the city in both posh/not posh areas, and now reside with my family in the burbs. I remember pre-Harborplace Baltimore, so I watch these changing areas with great interest.

It is common in all cities that when an area starts developing, usually due to proximity to water and great nightlife, long-time residents can get pushed aside. There are no easy solutions. Taxes skyrocket but so does equity, more police protection, cleanliness and general improvement in look of streets, as empty and abandoned places get fixed up.

No one has mentioned one, but it sounds like there's a need for a strong community association. I would encourage old and new residents to get involved and start talking to one another, advocating for mutually helpful things, like street/parking rules and better transit. Even though people live there with different backgrounds, everyone who pays taxes will benefit from Canton's success. No matter what age or income level, any resident who cares about their neighbors, is quiet and keeps up their property, should receive respect.

Labeling folks doesn't work. By the way, the term Yuppie refers to young, urban professionals, of any race. That description could apply to many new and longtime residents!

Befriending a good realtor and rehabber can help both types of residents. They have lots of connections and care about the quality of life in the neighborhoods they sell in. They can give homeowners valuable tips on how to sell their home for the most value, when ready.

I want to correct a generally misunderstood notion that realtors make a killing every house they sell. My husband and I have worked in real estate and rehabbing (although not in the city--due to the parking, liability, security and general hassles for contractors). Realtors get only 1/4 of the commission. It is split FOUR ways: between the listing agent, listing broker, sales agent, and sales broker. Realtors who do a lot of selling (and it is extremely hard work) will get a higher % cut than their broker, but the average realtor makes far less.

The time to get involved, if you want to complain about new homes, is in the zoning and permit stage. Don't yell at the realtors and new residents after they've invested in the community and are living there responsibly.

Echoing some earlier comments, attacking issues and not people is what will help the city grow in positive ways. Long-time residents have more power and influence than they think. Get involved with your elected officials by emailing, writing or attending meetings. They really do listen. Get organized with your neighbors. I don't know why Canton couldn't have neighborhood block watch type activities, which could bring residents together.

Most people don't do these things because it takes time. It's easier to stew and shout. One of my young "Yuppie" relatives lives in another newly developing city area, one I never thought anyone would want to live in. He is running for office and works tirelessly for his community. It is folks like these that can help Baltimore gain a tax base and improve the quality of life for everyone.

Good luck Canton! I'll be watching you!

I don't blame realtors...they are just agents providing what the public wants. Let's face it, the post-grad herd wants to continue the college lifestyle as long as they can. Canton offers that opportunity...at a price. If you're smart, you'll resist the temptation to be one of the herd.

Real estate is a consumable, disposable commodity. It provides shelter. Like food, clothing or anything else. Think about what you really need vs what you want. Don't be fooled by the the granite countertops, the "exposed brick, the "little touches." That's not going to pay the bills or put food on your table. Choose SUBSTANCE over STYLE.

Matt, buddy, move to Phoenix already. What kind of anti-Canton/Baltimore/Realtor's axe do you have to grind? Enough already, you made your point.

I am a recent grad who just bought in Canton. I understand your concerns over high taxes and hard-to-find parking, but those are those are sacrifices that I've made, in exchange for a great location that's close to the water, restaurants, grocery store, and many of my friend's houses - all within walking distance.

As for "ridiculously high prices," I do believe there are deals to be found out there. By having a roommate, I am actually paying LESS per month now, as opposed to what I was paying in rent just one year ago in Canton.

With the first time 8k, low mortgage rates, and low home prices, my opinion was that it was a no-brainer to buy. I've been preached to by my realtor mother to convert rent to mortgage ASAP.

I'm sure as I grow older, my needs/wants will change and I might re-evaluate my decision to live downtown, but at the moment I'm happy. To each his/her own!

I say to all of you tallywackers, you know the area is indeed one worth owning a flat and possibly more. If it weren't we never would have tried to enter your harbour so long ago.
Please do not speak of taxes and tariffs until the Queen, may God save her, has torn asunder your accounts and left you with nearly nothing.
Oh and stop drinking your ales cold.

Dear Happy Homeowner -

I am unsure where you live exactly and for how much you bought your home for but if you needed to rely on low interest rates, the $8,000 first time buyer credit and a roommate to "recently buy" - you very likely over-extended yourself to buy an asset that will assuredly decrease in value when interest rates rise and the credits go away. So - in effect - you are renting from Bank of America/Wells Fargo, etc. I guess that is fine. When you try to sell in a few years - you may be surprised at how bad the advice was from your real estate mother.

Happy homeowner -- what happens if you don't have a roommate one day? Will you still be able to afford your mortgage?

The last posts definitely make me shiver. When the tax credits go away and the banks decide they want to make money the old fashioned way it may be hard to sell and move on once you get tired of having roommates .. & I've always wondered about the roommate factor ... Do we have to claim the $ we bring in from roommates as income to the IRS?

I lived on Oddonnell Square in Canton from 1994 to 2001 [$225 a month rent] .I then lived elsewhere in Canton until i found a house that i could afford in Highlandtown.

I still go to bars in Canton to have dinner[5-6 nights a week]and i work some construction in Canton.

I loved it back in 1994 ! It had great people living there.Sadly most of the blue collar families moved out.

But i also like many of the new proffessionals who moved in as well.Its still a great place to live if you can afford it .

Neighborhoods rarely stay the same. And people have to learn to adapt. It wasnt perfect in 1994 and it wasnt a hell-hole either.It isnt perfect now.But it isnt a snobby place either.

Sure there are a few rich people who live there who are jerks. All neighborhoods have a few jerks.

One of my neighbors in Highlandtown sometimes leaves her needles on my front stoop after "shooting up".

Anyone want to trade her for one of their "yuppie" neighbors?

I am a construction laborer and i have many friends in Canton.Some are blue collar. Due to gentrification most of my friends in Canton nowdays are well off. And a few are rich by my standards.

But i dont care how much money they make and they dont care how much i make.They dont care that i ride a bicycle to work and i dont care that some of them ride BMWs to work.

In my opinion there is less focus on that sort of thing in Baltimore than there is in most East Coast cities.

To sum up:Canton is what you make of it.

So lets forget all this "class warfare " garbage.

The "yuppie" that you see getting into a BMW might be the nicest ,down to earth guy in the world.

And the "white trash" walking down Linwood Ave towards Highlandtown with a shovel over his shoulder is probably me.

For those that only associate with members of their own socio-economic class, then all i can say is that you are missing a lot in life!

I would also like to point out that in my experience of living in Canton most of the barnoise is close to O'Donnell Square.

I myself lived directly on "The Square for 7 years [ i shared a wall with the Claddaugh Pub].

Im sorry , but when you move near a bunch of bars , the noise comes with the territory.

I can sympathise with the older residents who lived there a long time.But not the newcomers who complain about bar noise.

I should add that i dont drink alchohol.So i dont make noise anywhere at night.

And a lot of people seem to connect Canton residents to rowdy behavior.It should be mentioned that almost all of the rowdy behavior is from bar goers from out side the nieghborhood.

When i used to see drunken stupidity from my front window on the Square , i rarely saw someone that i recognised from the nieghborhood.

My basic point is that in my experience ,most streets in Canton are fairly quiet at night.

Is there anybody existing who hadn't lived in Canton at some stage?

I wouldn't have bought if I couldn't have afforded it otherwise! The roommate is simply an added bonus to help me pay off my mortgage faster, and I'm putting the 8k back towards my mortgage as well.

Joe -- realtors PRODUCE nothing. They live off the buying and selling of others (watch the movie Wall Street and listen to Martin Sheen's closing speech to his son). They have jobs to do and serve a purpose but they're salespeople. How many realtors can program a computer? How many realtors know how to farm? How many realtors can design and build a bridge? How many realtors can fix the power when it goes out? I'm guessing not many. We live in a culture that worships the cult of personality, sports, and partying but stomps on the guys who keep our infrastructure running. But we'll learn once the Chinese wax us at everything.

Headroom, thank you! Real estate agents do NOT get 3%! It is split with the broker. To everyone else, life is what you make of it and it is very short!

I lived in the Canton area for over two years and loved it !! I was walking distance to bars, restaurants, parks! I also LOVE Jack's Bistro !!!

It was a great sense of neigborhood from meeting all the neighbors while walking your dogs, block parties,neighborhood projects, to the great feeling when it snowed and you walked outside and your nice neighbor had shoveled and salted the front of your house.

I had no garage so I am fully aware of the "night parking issues" where "having a good parking spot" is a good enough reason to cancel any evening plans !!

I moved away about 8 months ago due to work, and have not been able to find a place where I enjoy living as much as I enjoyed Canton.

@ "Happy Homeowner" - ironic you call youself a happy homeowner, because your remarks seem far from happy. And please enlighten us- what do YOU do for a living? And can you farm? Restore electricity? Calculate a mortgage? Build a bridge? Because clearly you have too much free time. But I am sure that your job "serves your purpose"
Realtors help protect peoples' rights to homeownership, assist in the largest purshase of peoples lives, save people money, and we are the ONLY career that gets paid AFTER the entire sale is finished.
Quite frankly- I feel very sorry for you....
And Jamie- great job! You are one of the best agents in the business!

Irritated reader, I think you meant to direct your comment to someone else -- Happy Homeowner is the commenter who has a Realtor mother.

Matt, you seem like a very bitter person, which is sad. Why would someone ask all those questions of realtors? If they could farm, they would be a farmer, if they could program a computer, they would work in IT. They are realtors because they probably enjoy real estate and working with people. You need to hop off your soap box and stop being so bitter. It's not the fault of the people on this list that you lost your job, don't make enough money, and/or are just miserable.

I have lived in Canton, just off of the square, for the past two years. I'm also a recent college graduate who happens to rent a home with a two-car garage.

Despite ,what appears to be, popular opinion, not everyone in Canton is "white yuppie scum" or "spoiled." Many of us, myself and room mates included, work incredibly hard for what we have and to pay rent to keep a roof over our heads.

Even though our home includes parking, there are only two spots. Everyday, two of us are driving around fighting for parking spaces like many others. We shovel our sidewalk, remove the weeds, and only put our garbage out on collection day.

Sure, we've had parties and they occasionally have gotten loud. But at the first sign of anger or discomfort from one of our neighbors, we rectify the situation immediately. We've befriended many of our neighbors and appreciate the relationships we have with them.

Those that prefer to make assumptions about the residents of Canton need to spend some time there and get to know some of us. We're not all the same. Stop judging from appearances and make an effort to get to know people. You might be pleasantly surprised to see how wrong you are.

Jamie- thanks for the clarification. My comment was intended for the individual who said realtors produce nothing... I guess it was Matt.

Irritated reader, I am a little confused by your post. I fully support realtors, I understand how tirelessly they work, and sometimes with no reward. Plus, to make a decent living off of real-estate these days, many work way more than 40 hours weeks!

I see this comment section has gotten a little off-track, so I will retire from making my comments. Bottom line, thank you Jamie for writing this post on your thoughts about Canton.

**With regards to these two quotes** -

"Anyone with a two-car garage in Canton knows nothing of life in the Real Canton. Try to find a parking spot in the evening. If you're lucky and do find one, someone will be happy to break into your car. Your neighbors are a bunch of just-out-of-college jerks who put their trash anywhere they like and never shovel their snow, since this is the first place they've lived without their mommy outside of campus housing. Spoiled white kids have ruined Canton."
______________________________________________________________

"I am an educated 'yuppie' who did not grow up in Canton. I vote and I own my home. I am raising my family here. I keep my alley clean, my sidewalk clean and clear and dont put my trash out early.

Unfortunately, I am an exception.

This neighborhood is filled with young renters who are not invested in Canton in any sense of the word. They dont care if the neighborhood is clean or safe. They never get to know their elderly neighbors. They dont vote or get involved in community affairs. Why?

Because Canton is "College: Part Two" to them. They are here to drink and walk to the bars and find their future spouses. At which time, they are out of here.

That really undermines the spirit and sense of a real community."

______________________________________________________________

These sentiments are 100% true. No jealousy or hatred about the inflated costs/value, but rather disdain for spoiled, entitled suburban kids just out of college who have no respect, consideration or even so much as a clue as to how carry themselves or maintain their property in a grown-up, adult manner. All of these criticisms mentioned are a regular problem and really do lower the overall property values and quality of life for taxpaying homeowners with personal and vested interests in having a nice, clean neighborhood! Whether you worked hard and earned it, or whether you're being funded by the 'rents, please try and act and maintain you homes and properties like considerate adults and not clueless, self-absorbed children!!! It's NOT about your social status, but HOW you carry yourself and maintain your space and impact upon you neighbors!!!

P.S. - IF IT SNOWS, YOU STILL HAVE TO PICK UP YOUR DOG SHIT, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S ON THE SIDEWALK! WHY DO YOU NEED TO BE TOLD THIS? WHAT'S WRONG WITH SOME PEOPLE?

I'm sorry for some of my previous previous comments that were probably insulting to realtors.

Realtors aren't bad people and do provide good services. Actually many of my good friends are realtors.

But as a software engineer, I have often felt "taken for granted" in the past decade. And I worry about the direction of our country if we neglect the sciences in favor of pumping up asset bubbles.

I am also very fond of realtors. They used to be more visible a year or two ago though.

Does anyone think it's about time Canton institutes the Residential Parking Permit program as Federal Hill and Fells Point have already done? I can't imagine bar/restaurant owners would be too thrilled but it might help alleviate some of the parking issues mentioned here.

At the very least, it would discourage suburbanites and college kids from driving into Canton to go to the bars and urinating on the sidewalks before driving home.

I agree with Mike - something should be done with the parking in the Canton neighborhood. But the parking problem isn't limited to those patronizing bars and restaurants, so the Fed Hill solution of permits wouldn't cure it (not to mention the problems that program has with fraudulent applications being approved).

There are just a lot of homes in Canton with two (or more) cars and there isn't enough space for that many cars in front of a row house. (I live blocks from O'Donnell square and frequently have to spend 15 minutes looking for parking every night after work, but I still like where I live). There are many wide streets in Canton that could accommodate head-in parking but the city hasn't implemented it. (My guess is that it is easier to raise money ticketing cars at 11:00 pm and 4:00 am that are parked too close to the intersection than to try to fix the problem for residents). Having a garage (like those available in Little Italy and Federal Hill) would help the problem. So would making it easier for homeowners to turn back yards into parking spaces. Or painting parking space lines on curb/street to encourage people to park less than 5 feet from the car in front or behind them.

Many of the wide streets in Canton could have their parellel parking converted into angled parking, which would add several spaces to each block. Some streets could even be changed to one way and then have angled parking on one or both sides. The city could add hundreds of parking spots to Canton by doing this.

I've also noticed that each bus stop takes up about 5 parking spots. Is that really necessary?

WOW.. I can't believe the Canton bashing. I lived in Canton for 4 years, 2004 to 2008, and loved it. I was about 30 when I moved in. I have also lived in Seattle, Atlanta, and am currently in Dallas. Let me tell you one thing. Canton is CHEAP. Dallas is considered to be really cheap. As is Atlanta. But that is due to the suburbs. In the middle of the city, Canton is by far the cheapest of these cities in terms of $/sq ft. Here in Dallas you can expect to pay $225/sq.ft, and get none of the character and certainly no water access. Indeed, 3 story town-homes in the State Thomas area (equivalent to Canton), sell for 700K+, and no one bats an eye. My friend moved out of Baltimore due to the supposedly high prices to gorgeous, lovely Athens, GA (home of the GA Bulldawgs), but is having trouble buying a nice house in that college town for less than 500K. That is just the real estate fact of today.
I think a big reason for locals to think that it is an expensive place to live is that Baltimore was historically always cheap, but in early 2000s, the urban revival has permanently moved up the prices here, and regardless of what anyone believes, it is not going to go down significantly anymore. I know because I am a hedge fund investor, saw the real estate crisis coming , and sold housing futures at a high price to hedge my house. I also shorted the market. That was in 2006-2007.
What some people do not realize is how special Baltimore (and Canton is). As I mentioned, I have lived so many places, but have never experience a place like that-- and I miss it every day. Sure you have incompetent city officials, and property taxes are horrible (btw-- they are higher here in Dallas)

Hey Matt

Nice dose of self rightousness, not like you're a brain surgeon, who cares what people do, realtors are neccessary and im sure its a tough hustle right now. Don't worry you'll be out of work soon enough when all the computer programing jobs get sent to india!! Jeez, what a tool.

C'mon guys, keep it nice. Don't make me put you in time out.

Canton has a great location, is pretty walkable and has relatively good public transportation access. What I don't like about Canton is that far too many of the residents want it to be a suburban community with two car garages and have a NIMBY attitude which fights public transportation unless it can be completely hidden. Look at the comments from jb and sherr: turning backyard into parking spaces? complaining that buses need curbside space that could be parking? You live in a city. Cities have limited space. Cities have people who need public transportation. The city has no obligation to give you parking. The city should not subsidize your parking by giving you free land to use. Some homes aren't much bigger than the footprint of cars and yet you think the space is most valuably used for two of your cars?

So, when people complain about Yuppies, despite being young, urban, and (relatively) professional I don't think they're talking about me. They're talking about people who come into cities for the bars, think they can act in their homes like they would in the suburbs (noise, etc.) and believe that the city is obligated to provide space for all of their cars. I don't think Baltimore needs to be car free, but I think something is seriously wrong if you move into a neighborhood with limited space for cars--with two cars--and feel entitled. If you want parking live in Roland Park or Mount Washington. They're nice areas too.