<p>What is Baltimore like. I've heard serveral answers to this question but I want a response from those who live in Baltimore, who brave the challeges and reap the benefits. So here's what I heard:</p>
<p>Rumor: There are very few extreme weather conditions (which I'm fine with). There is the little bit of summer and the little bit of winter but mostly spring and fall.
Question: I'm fine with this but I prefer hotter weather. Is the weather good enough to be outdoors all the time and pursue activities such as swimming, especially at the beaches?</p>
<p>Rumor: Baltimore, because it is a busy port, can be very polluted. Also, for some reason, the sky seems pretty dark much of the year.<br>
Question: That's depressing. What do you guys think?</p>
<p>That's all I got so far. If I think of more, I will ask more. Thank you everyone in advance and input will be greatly appreciated.</p>
Rumor: There are very few extreme weather conditions (which I'm fine with). There is the little bit of summer and the little bit of winter but mostly spring and fall.
Question: I'm fine with this but I prefer hotter weather. Is the weather good enough to be outdoors all the time and pursue activities such as swimming, especially at the beaches
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There are few beaches very close to JHU. It can be to cold to swim in winter. There is some snow.</p>
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[quote]
Rumor: Baltimore, because it is a busy port, can be very polluted. Also, for some reason, the sky seems pretty dark much of the year.
Question: That's depressing. What do you guys think?
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<p>Baltimore is a port city but the inner harbor is more a an entertainment district than an indusrial district. JHU is several miles away from the industrial parts of Balitimore.</p>
<p>Ports don't really pollute anyway, it's the industry that often accompanies them, which unlike in Jersey and around Philly, we don't really have...</p>
<p>But the nearest beaches are in OC, which is several hours away.</p>
<p>I'm not sure you can swim outdoor all the time, but for most of time, I guess you can find some good places to swim. You can always go down to Ocean City, which I believe you can swim throughout the year. (I have never been in Ocean City, though). Baltimore's weather is great - I love it! There are some cold days (I remember a few years ago there was a week or so when the temperature never got above the teens for all day), but generally winter is bearable, and if you choose to stay indoor for most of the time, it really does not feel like winter at all as long as you have a heavy coat on when you walk out. </p>
<p>I would not say there is "a little bit" of winter (or summer). Winter is quite long, but of course I was living in near tropical region before I came to Baltimore :). The seasons are quite distinct, not "mostly spring and fall." I personally love to see the season changes in Baltimore. Generally throughout the year the weather is pretty moderate (it does not mean that it's always spring-like or fall-like). There are cold spells now and then, but if you are in Baltimore this past winter, it was REALLY warm... (of course I complain because the we have so few snow days off from school this year).</p>
<p>As for the second rumor, it's only partly true. I personally did not like Baltimore when I drove on I95 from the South to 395 and saw some black smoke, etc. But the sky is NOT dark for most of the year even in the "industrial district". (That would have been really depressing, haha)</p>
<p>But as Bill<em>h</em>pike said, JHU's Homewood campus is pretty far from the "ugly" part of Baltimore, so don't worry. I do not live "officially" in Baltimore City, but less than a few minute of walk will bring me into the city. Oh yeah, almost everyday I see beautiful blue sky. Baltimore is beautiful as long as you don't walk into wrong spots :D</p>
<p>I seriously think that JHU should turn that area right behind the JHU sign (that short wall that says Johns Hopkins University) infront of the beach into a small artificial lake with like birds so we can have a real beach.</p>
<p>It still stands though that Baltimore skies are dark. Now that we've established its not due to pollution, could it be just a natural/climatic occurence... or do you guys feel its too dark. As trivial as the question sounds, I think it will greatly affect my mood and personality if I were to live in a very dark place for four years.</p>
<p>Where the heck did you get that Baltimore is "dark"? I'm from San Francisco and I think Baltimore is just fine. You don't think San Francisco is dark, do you?</p>
<p>I was talking to a graduate of their Med School. He told me. Oh well. Maybe I misheard or he misspoke. Man, I'm so elated now and hopefully I may be able to go!!!</p>
<p>graduate of their med school? wow.
anyway i was down there and it was pretty much the same... sky color... as newhere else. but im from the nyc area so i cant really say much el oh el</p>
<p>pollution is relative, if you are from Jersey, Baltimore will be nothing. Also, the winter and summer are long, if anything its hte spring thats short.</p>
<p>hey enough with all of the darkness, i heard there are some pretty bad areas not too far from campus. actually on my way home from the open house, i made a wrong turn and ended up some where i definitely did not belong. when living on the homewood campus, would i ever have to worry about problems arising form those parts of baltimore or is it kept far away from the school? just looking out for my safety thanks.</p>
<p>Every city in America has bad neighborhoods and Baltimore has its fair share. Just be aware of your surroundings, use the security van services, and use common sense and you will be fine. Plus, there is no reason for you to have to go into the "bad" areas.</p>
<p>I have lived in Baltimore for a while...it definitely has its rough edges. The nice downtown areas are Fells Point, Federal Hill and Canton. If you are living downtown, definitely choose one of those. Fells Point is the best for those who will be at the hospital. Charles Village has great housing stock, but the university should really try to revitalize some of those neighborhoods south of there. There's so much potential but it's a bit rough. Just stay in areas you know and you will be fine.</p>
<p>As for the darkness thing...WHAT? We get terrible thunderstorms in May/early June (I'm talking every night, the skies open up), but it's really not dark at all. In fact, I find the sun extremely strong down here.</p>