Recently, after saying I would most of my life, I finally moved from New York to Baltimore, Maryland. Growing up I spent many a summer, and numerous holidays, with my family visiting the relatives in Westport, Baltimore. Every single time I never wanted to return home, perhaps because this city has always felt like home. It is hard to explain. My four siblings never felt this way, but something about this gritty yet charming city touched my soul. As an adult I would continue to spend time here, whether to visit relatives, or just to explore and savor the treasures this overlooked city had to offer. It was a quick train ride from New York so many a weekend was spent here. I even pretended to live here one week, by renting an Airbnb flat in my favorite neighborhood, Mount Vernon. My relocation was inevitable it seems in retrospect.
Unfortunately, Baltimore receives a lot of bad press, and some of it for good reason. It is most definitely a city of stark contrasts: The charming historic city of great seafood, art, culture, and friendly people; and extreme poverty, drug use, violence, and racism that numerous television shows have used as a backdrop for crime dramas. In 2015 the city experienced riots that cut the very social fabric of it and exposed the social injustice many face here. Political corruption seems to be a recurring theme as well.
Still, I am bullish on this city. Many millennials seem to be in agreement with me as they have infused this city with their energy and investment. Young entrepreneurs seem to be remaking this city daily. The craft alcohol industry here is very exciting, and something that one day I hope to join. Furthermore, augmenting the violence and corruption narrative of the national media has been the featuring of the glories of Baltimore in numerous prestigious travel articles and shows. One annoying quirk about this region is that locals downplay its strengths and are surprised when outsiders throw praise on it like a fastball in Camden Yards. As a new resident I suppose I still am an outsider and therefore cannot resist the urge to show people what this city has to offer. I love showing visitors that Baltimore is not some urban wasteland to be bypassed when visiting New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. Like those great East Coast metropolises Baltimore offers visitors a world class experience. You just have to dig a little deeper. There is no Empire State Building, Liberty Bell, or Capitol. We do have Fort McHenry, Camden Yards, & the National Aquarium. The real attractions though are in its numerous unique neighborhoods full of their own histories and traditions. More and more people are discovering these neighborhoods and many are becoming refugees from those much more expensive places, like me. I suppose one good thing about being overlooked is the cost of living here is considerably cheaper than other major nearby cities, and even the local suburbs. Those of us looking for an affordable urbane living experience have discovered Baltimore to be a great place to call home. My ulterior motive though is to get my friends and family to visit me here, I miss them. Even better would be to get some loved ones to move here. Now that would really make this Charm City!
You captured ‘my’ neighborhood well. I look forward to seeing future posts.