Going to Hopkins in July! need some advice

TLR03 · Apr 13, 2005

http://www.jhu.edu/gazette/

Check out this link. It is an internal Hopkins magazine that has posting for apartments and roommates by students and employees.

Also, Canton, Fells Point, Bolton Hill, and Federal Hill are all places that are pretty popular places to live among graduate students.

Good luck!

TLR03

Lambert5883 · Apr 13, 2005

Hello all,
I am going to hopkins mph program this july, and unfortunately only recieved my acceptance letter last week, so i feel like i have a lot to do in a short time.
Number one on my list is housing; the program is only 11 months. Anyone know anything about Reed Hall? I have a car that I would like to bring down as well. I have some friends who are in a amazing townhouse that is 30-40 minutes away, by wheaton metro? and would love for me to live with them too. but i don't know if it's really only 30-40 minutes, it could be more like 50-60
how would parking work if i drove in?
Some of the other areas that people mentioned (charles village, mt. vernon, etc.) sound nice too, although I would like to have roommates--any idea how that would work? plus, the idea that there's a shuttle sounds REALLY good, don't want to put my car through more than I have too, and I wouldn't feel so far away from the whole baltimore experience.
anyway, thanks for any thoughts guys! t.

Personally, I would take up your friends offer to room with them, at least, until you are better acquainted with the Baltimore Metro area and traffic patterns. I live in Harrisburg, PA, which is approximatley 80-90 mi. northwest of Baltimore. If I were to commute to JUH, which is what I'll have to do if I wish to attend, it would be a 1 1/2 hr. drive one way, which isn't bad because I used to commute 340 mi. round trip for a job I had a few yrs. ago ( to Rosslyn, VA, form Harrisburg). If your not from the East/Mid Atlantic, one thing you'll find is that a lot of people commute far distances, and sometimes have it better thatn those that live within a 20-30 mi radius.

Also, there's no doubt that you'll have access to the Bus Metro or the Metro Rail system, which will make your commute much more of a pleasant affair. Since time is of the essence, I would zero in on rooming with your friends and in obtaining their help in making this move a smoother transition for you. They can plot out the Bus/Train time schedule for you, storage accomadations, if necessary, and generally make it a better and less stressful ordeal (if one could call it that).

moosicle · Apr 13, 2005

I would not recommend commuting from expensive DC suburbs to Baltimore. it takes 30-40 mins on a (rare) good day, 50-60 mins on a weekday and more during the common traffic jams.

I think parking at JHU locations is about $10/day but monthly passes may be available (Baltimore average is about $100/month).

Mount Vernon is the most connected of the neighborhoods and is rather cheap. The shuttle goes right into Mt. V; Subway is not too far (by Baltimore standards) from much of Mt. Vernon as well as Light Rail. I may be wrong b/c I know little about JHU but you will probably go to their Hospital campus and not their Homewood campus. Charles Village would be better if you go to Homewood.

Just because your friends live next to the subway, don't think that will be easy access to Baltimore. I do not think there is a straight shot from Wheaton to B-more. I think its DC metro to Union Station (abt $4/day) then Commuter Train Marc at $14/day. Mt. V is a safe neighborhood, I used to live there.

Lambert5883 · Apr 13, 2005

I would not recommend commuting from expensive DC suburbs to Baltimore. it takes 30-40 mins on a (rare) good day, 50-60 mins on a weekday and more during the common traffic jams.
I think parking at JHU locations is about $10/day but monthly passes may be available (Baltimore average is about $100/month).
Mount Vernon is the most connected of the neighborhoods and is rather cheap. The shuttle goes right into Mt. V; Subway is not too far (by Baltimore standards) from much of Mt. Vernon as well as Light Rail. I may be wrong b/c I know little about JHU but you will probably go to their Hospital campus and not their Homewood campus. Charles Village would be better if you go to Homewood.
Just because your friends live next to the subway, don't think that will be easy access to Baltimore. I do not think there is a straight shot from Wheaton to B-more. I think its DC metro to Union Station (abt $4/day) then Commuter Train Marc at $14/day. Mt. V is a safe neighborhood, I used to live there.

But look at the poster's situation. He/she is coming all the way from the West Coast. Don't you think it prudent to test the waters or, at the least, become familiar with the surroundings before commiting to an apartment locale in Baltimore (Don't know why, but I love that city!)? Granted your friends out in Wheaton would be better equipped to offer insight into this matter. Although, I don't know the line(s), I am certain that you can find lines emanating out of DC Metro to Baltimore -- I had to look into this when I was considering using the rail from Balt to DC.

t2000JC · Apr 13, 2005

hey all thanks for the replies, keep them coming if you think of anything.

to clarify i am from NJ, about 4 hours from baltimore. the program i am in is for 11 months, so whatever i choose will probably be until graduation. i have found some good leads around charles village and mt. vernon, if anyone knows of more i would appreciate-- a little concerned about my car in those areas though. I plan on leaving my car wherever i live and taking the shuttle to classes. regardless i am planning on going down next friday and will let you know what i eventually decide :) t.

Lambert5883 · Apr 13, 2005

hey all thanks for the replies, keep them coming if you think of anything.
to clarify i am from NJ, about 4 hours from baltimore. the program i am in is for 11 months, so whatever i choose will probably be until graduation. i have found some good leads around charles village and mt. vernon, if anyone knows of more i would appreciate-- a little concerned about my car in those areas though. I plan on leaving my car wherever i live and taking the shuttle to classes. regardless i am planning on going down next friday and will let you know what i eventually decide :) t.

Sorry, I was thinking about someone else being from the west coast. Check out the Maryland Board. They speak on this subject often.

t2000JC · Apr 13, 2005

hey no problem--it was good to read your thoughts anyway. btw, i am on the maryland board, aren't i?

moosicle · Apr 13, 2005

But look at the poster's situation. He/she is coming all the way from the West Coast. Don't you think it prudent to test the waters or, at the least, become familiar with the surroundings before commiting to an apartment locale in Baltimore (Don't know why, but I love that city!)? Granted your friends out in Wheaton would be better equipped to offer insight into this matter. Although, I don't know the line(s), I am certain that you can find lines emanating out of DC Metro to Baltimore -- I had to look into this when I was considering using the rail from Balt to DC.

oh, I don't necessarily disagree with you. Perhaps she/he should stay with the friends for a few weeks to find a place. I am just saying that 1) will be difficult still because Wheaton is still rather disconnected from Baltimore. 2) not a good long term solution due to the type and length of commute.

http://www.mtamaryland.com is the mass transit website you need for B-more and most of MD.

I live in Baltimore (and I am glad you like it Lambert :wink2: ) and my partner has family in Wheaton; its just more of a car trip if being done on a daily basis. train bus etc would just be quite inconveinent. I have used the train lines, but never found it prudent to go to Wheaton. You would have to take the Red line Dc metro to Union then Marc commuter train to Baltimore Penn Station or Camden Yards (Baltimore has a sad mass transit system) then light rain will get you to Lexington Market and there is a subway which you can take to JHU. Not impossible, just difficult and there are prolly other combos that you can do but I think you will find most are like that.

On the other hand, it is only for 11 months and if you can afford the commute and like studying on the train, it might be better to live in Wheaton.

But I was not trying to discredit your advice Lambert, it is very sound and accurate. But as a Baltimorean, it is my duty to recruit more people to move into the city. So, you should come too Lambert ;p

moosicle · Apr 13, 2005

Oh, and about being worried about your car in Baltimore, you probably should be. Park in lots or in not so shady neighborhoods and that still doesnt guarantee much. It was a lot worse about 3 years ago but you still see some Baltimore snow (aka the sparkle of windsheild glass on the street)

t2000JC · Apr 13, 2005

one place i am looking at has a well lit parking lot and it's in charles village--but i guess i won't know exactly what that means until i see it--lucky me i have an acura--aren't they one of the most broken into cars :rolleyes: t.

as of right now i am saying no to my friends until i see what baltimore itself has to offer...t.

Lambert5883 · Apr 14, 2005

hey no problem--it was good to read your thoughts anyway. btw, i am on the maryland board, aren't i?

You know I'm cracking up right now! Yes. This is the Maryland board, isn't it! By god, if I can't navigate my way around on a simple Website I have no business stating my opinion on the issue at hand! Listen to Ruex, sounds like he knows what the hell he's talking about.

You're right, Ruex, it's a great city and my family and I love to visit. But, you know, the first time I was there in Baltimore, around 1988 (I was stationed at Ft. Meade Hosp. for 6 months), I took the bus into the city, can't remember where exactly, but along the Inner Harbor area. I went walking around the nearby neihborhoods to get a sense of the city and I tell ya, I had never felt so uncomfortable and uneasy walking the streets of a city -- New York and Chicago did not even come close to evoking this kind uneasy feeling in me! Now, looking back on it, it kinda reminds me of Newark, NJ! Just stay alert, I guess!