I was wondering if there are any neighborhoods in UMBC surroundings to avoid? I am possibly looking to move there with my son joined UMBC. We like to cut UMBC dorm expenses.
I learned that there are UMBC transit to cover some areas. Are there any neighborhoods which are less safe/tranquill/pleasant/whatever? We are thinking of buying a small house/Condo (2BR). If you post specific community name or ZIP will help.
I suggest you post this question in the UMBC forum.
Click on Colleges and Universities, then M for Maryland, then look for UMBC.
I know howard County is all considered fine, and Catonsville is fine.
As you move north of UMBC, I’m not very familiar with the area.
There are definitely sections of Baltimore where you have to be extra careful if you are walking on the streets at night, and some of those are close to UMBC. There are neighborhoods that are ‘up and coming’ and you might be willing to take a chance on them but you may not. I went to UM@B, and it really wasn’t all that safe to walk to the parking garage during the day and certainly not at night (so we walked in groups and drove each other to our cars because the stairways weren’t safe). However, there were students who paid more to park right across from our building and several were robbed in the ‘safe’ lots too. It’s a city. There are crimes committed in the ‘good’ neighborhoods too.
You need to go and look at the neighborhoods. Get a realtor.
My suggestion is to have a realtor help you find a rental in a safe and convenient area close to UMBC for a year. That will give you a chance to get acquainted with the area and get a better idea of where you would like to purchase a condo. Howard county has nice residential areas but the area around UMBC (Catonsville? ) has pockets of not so safe areas. As someone who grew up in Baltimore I can say it has changed a lot over the years. A real estate agent would be up to date on parts of town to consider that would be also safe and convenient for you.