Living in Baltimore, Maryland: honest pros & cons you should know about

A cloudy day in Baltimore. Photo by Yianni Mathioudakis on Unsplash

This is not to be blamed on global warming alone, though we are sure it is responsible for the misfortune somehow. Baltimore has always had extreme climate events, including hot, humid summers and cold, windy winters. If you have ever traveled to the East Coast, they know that temperatures usually soar somewhere in the 80s and 90s Fahrenheit range. This might seem like a low number, but when combined with lots of water vapour, we get sultry weather that would make staying outdoors quite an unbearable task in Baltimore. If anyone plans to cycle to work, carrying a change of clothes would be a wise idea as they will likely be drenched in sweat for anything more than a mile.

Coming to the winter season, we shall get lots of icy winds and more than two feet of snow. The degrees can range in the high 40s and low 20s, making daily life difficult and commutes harder. Charm City’s weather variability is something to take into serious consideration, especially for those people who prefer temperate climates.

A bus stop in Baltimore. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/BmoreCityDOT

Like any other major cosmopolitan place, Baltimore has lots of traffic. Every local's biggest complaint is always the peak hour office commute back and forth. A resident spends an average of 40 minutes in gridlock. If possible, we recommend avoiding the outer loop of the Beltway and the Interstates 695, 95, and 395, especially during early morning and evening travel.

Adding fuel to the fire, the public transportation network falls short of expectations. There are various options to choose from, such as MTA Metro subways, light rail systems, buses, and a commuter rail called the MARC line. Though these are great alternatives to sitting in congestion, the connections need massive improvements as they are unreliable and don’t reach the suburbs. So make sure to research well and find housing in the main core areas of the city, so that your work is nearby. The only saving grace is that Baltimore is a very walkable and bike-friendly place, with a high score of 64 and 56.

A neglected building. Photo by Jean-Luc Benazet on Unsplash

Ask anyone who has stopped at the red light on the corner of President & Pratt streets if they have encountered the squeegee kids – a group of young adults and teens who rush up to vehicles with window washers and mops. Whether a driver agrees or not, there is a high probability that your windshield will be cleaned, and money will be demanded in varying degrees of intensity.

This phenomenon is prevalent due to the homelessness that plagues Charm City. Though Baltimore only ranks 30th among other places in the country with the worst poverty rates, the issues seem more visible here than anywhere else. Much of this problem can be attributed to high unemployment after the pandemic. The city was once a manufacturing powerhouse, but eventually, many jobs were outsourced abroad to China and India.

Another major drawback here is the dirty streets strewn with litter and trash. On top of this, vandalism is quite common, and graffiti is visible everywhere. Unless a person has moved from New York, this may surely bother them. So, if an individual likes clean sidewalks and well-maintained roads, then they should think hard before relocating to Baltimore.

Baltimore police department. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/BaltimoreCityPolice/

A consequence of high poverty is extensive crime rates. Charm City was ranked the 5th most dangerous place in the United States of America. In metropolises, districts are usually divided into safe and unsafe regions, which are away from each other. This is not the case in Baltimore. Here, many affluent and prosperous neighborhoods are directly adjacent to the ones with the most felonies. The city comprises islands of safety, meaning getting from one area to another may require a person to cross into a danger zone while traveling.

Though normally you would feel secure walking in Baltimore, it is always good to have your alerts on. Some of the most common violations that one may experience are package theft, break-ins, muggings, pick-pocketing, and burglary. The chances of any violent crimes, such as gang-related homicides, rape, arson, and sexual assaults, are still rare but they do exist and are quite an area of concern. So, please do the necessary scrutiny before taking the big decision of moving your life.

A public school in Baltimore. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/baltcityschools/

Last but not least, if you are a parent, or planning to have them in the future, then maybe you need to think twice before moving to Baltimore. The public schools here are routinely ranked among the bottom of other major cities in the USA. They are not only the lowest performing in America, but also underfunded and possess poor infrastructure facilities, such as a lack of air conditioning, heating, and computer rooms.

One way around this problem is to enroll your child in a private school. If the education seems too expensive, then you might explore charter options, which offer great opportunities at lower costs. Some of the standout institutions a person may consider for enrollment here are Hampstead Hill Academy, City College High School, Roland Park Elementary/Middle, Baltimore School for the Arts, and Hampden Elementary/Middle.

A fried chicken restaurant in Baltimore. Photo by Gang Hao on Unsplash

Like the saying goes, after a heavy rainfall, there is usually a rainbow on the horizon to look forward to. The same is the case with Baltimore. Everything is not doomy and gloomy in Charm City, though it may seem that way. The silver lining is an amazing food scene that reflects the diverse population of the metropolis and its coastal location. The cuisine available here can be summarised as a gift from the Chesapeake Bay, making seafood the star, and the Maryland blue crabs the showstopper.

From succulent crab cakes to baked oysters, there is no dearth of marine creatures for one’s eating pleasure. If you are not a fan of fish, then fear not, as this tourist destination’s culinary bounty goes well beyond the ocean, with a wide variety of Italian, Creole, Argentinian, and British meat specialties. So let us explore some of the most affordable and delicious options that the foodie paradise has to offer.

If you are craving some English comfort food coupled with the warm, friendly Southern hospitality, then The Corner Pantry, located in the Lake Falls Village shopping center, is the place to be. It is a British-inspired café that was started by husband and wife duo, Emily and Neill. The kitchen is helmed by Chef Neill, an England native, while the front-of-the-house is managed by Emily, a local Baltimorean. They met at an Oscar event where he was catering the meal and she was organizing the backstage function. Eventually, their love story led to the beginning of the humble eatery that has now been serving the community for over a decade.

Today, patrons can enjoy specialty creations like breakfast crumpets filled with scrambled eggs and bacon, smoked turkey ciabatta with cheddar cheese in jalapeño aioli, smoked pork chili soup with chipotle relish, glazed short ribs with steamed snap peas, and pan-seared black drum fish in ginger scallion sauce. Do not forget to try their pastries, including chocolate chip cookies, rhubarb tart with French vanilla cream, and strawberry fennel cake with coconut sorbet.

Average bill – $26

As we mentioned, the Baltimore food scene goes beyond seafood, and La Barrita is the best example of this. It is a traditional Argentinian steakhouse with an elegant Brooklyn setting. The spot specializes in rare cooked meats, handmade plates of pasta, and delicious appetizers. The ambiance is regal and welcoming, made up of leather-furnished sofa banquettes, polished stone walls, diffused lighting, rich granite flooring, and a marbled open bar counter.

The culinary team, under the supervision of Chef Roberto S Cardona, presents a menu of Latin American dishes made using regional ingredients. Some of the exquisite items you can savor here are charred chorizo with marinated olives, eggplant Parmesan in rustic tomato sauce, beef empanadas, fettuccine in creamy mushroom sauce, braised short ribs with pan-fried Brussels sprouts, and chicken bruschetta in balsamic glaze. Satisfy your sweet cravings by relishing signature desserts: hazelnut panna cotta with pistachio crumble, Argentinian flan with condensed milk, and chocolate volcano cake with vanilla ice cream.

Average bill – $34

If homelike crab cakes are on your mind at this very moment, Koco’s Pub is the answer to the omnipresent seafood cravings. The vibrant canary yellow façade belting Harford Road draws the attention of passersby, and rightfully so. Step inside to be greeted by a welcoming, cheerful crowd of locals enjoying hearty specialties in the casual atmosphere of a pub-style setup with communal tables encouraging people to put down their phones and socialize like in the good old days.

Without further ado, we invite you to take a sneak peek at the menu and let it speak for itself. For starters, opt for coconut fried shrimp served on a bed of lettuce with raspberry jalapeño sauce, chicken wings with celery sticks and bleu cheese; and golden brown fried mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce. Next, choose any of the crab cake varieties, or better order several options to share. Quench your thirst with a glass of ice-cold nutty mai tai or refreshing mint julep. Cheers!

Average bill – $32

Our last spot perfectly combines the backwater flavor of New Orleans with Baltimore produce to present a contemporary menu of Cajun and Creole dishes. Ethel’s Creole Kitchen was started by partner chefs – Ed Bloom and Nick Creamer – way back in 2014. Before this, they both studied and honed their cooking skills by working with late Louisiana chef, Paul Prudhomme, before heading to Charm City.

The owners developed an inventive culinary experience by reimagining traditional dishes like jambalaya and gumbo with iconic Maryland staples. Indulge your taste buds in gastronomic delights like mini crab cakes with cornbread, blackened shrimps with polenta grits, fire-roasted bell peppers stuffed with Andouille sausage in onion relish, and slow-roasted baby back ribs in barbeque sauce with mashed potatoes. Elevate the meal by pairing it with their fancy drinks like Sazerac (the official alcoholic beverage of Louisiana), craft beers, fizzy ciders, fruity New World wines, and refreshing lemonades.

Average bill – $30

Baltimore has always been a celebrated destination, known for its American history, amazing gastronomic dishes, diverse culture, quirky art scene, museums, and sports teams. Many people want to call this Maryland paradise their new home. But deciding to move here boils down to what a person is searching for in the city. If the above downsides do not deter you, then Baltimore can offer some fantastic benefits, and taking a leap of faith would be the right choice.