Anyone from the Baltimore/Maryland area ?

[[R-MOD]Saobh]

Hey guys,

I have a close friend who's shipping to Baltimore for studies (Maryland University, Baltimore county) in a week (she's French)

So my question is :
What are your general tips for the area, places to go and those to avoid.

Nice places to visit, get a drink, concerts not get shot at (Too much 'The Wire' for me )


Thanks.

[HunterMed]

(Too much 'The Wire' for me )

hehe... same here. just finished the last season. I guess she shouldnt watch it before moving there

[[R-MOD]Saobh]

Originally Posted by HunterMed

hehe... same here. just finished the last season. I guess she shouldnt watch it before moving there

Well we're going to watch the whole series just before she leaves, so ^^

So nobody's from that area ?

[[R-MOD]Saobh]

Erf ... come on not even 1 guy from New york got drunk and ended up in Maryland ?

Shamelss Bump then.

[[R-CON]creepin]

I'm from maryland, and have been in baltimore a couple of times...

[Viper5]

Been there a few times. There are very nice spots (Inner Harbor is very nice, not too bad crimewise) and bad areas. That said, keep in mind that College Park (Campus of Maryland Uni) is 32 miles away and much closer to D.C. than Baltimore. Unless she's at a UM campus in Baltimore, in which case nevermind :P

[Bamboo]

I just moved away from Northern VA, and ran up to visit Baltimore and College Park a few times.
Basics to know are traffic sucks BAD, learn quickly what neighborhoods and roads not to take at night (on a field trip to the Aquarium at Balt. once while in school we had a guy waving a gun at our bus a few blocks from the Harbor).

Rent is a hell of a lot cheaper than closer to DC, and tons of people commute from BALT to DC everyday to save $$. If she is going to school, IKEA is her friend, and there are some around there.

Right now you can get WIMAX wireless service in BALT, and might be a good option. It is pretty much just as fast as your cable internet, but wireless, so you can use it anywhere with a laptop. They even make home base stations that take a WIMAX signal and convert it to WIFI. So if you have the service, you can use it on all your computers and not just laptops. Might be a good way to save money.

Lots of good sports games to see, even if you aren't a fan. There is lots of football and baseball, and games are fun to go see even if you don't care about the teams.

On a good day it is about an hour to DC and there is TONS of stuff to do there. Something cool going on pretty much every weekend no matter what you are in to.

Be careful o learn which roads are the toll roads so you don't get on if you don't mean to. Make sure you always carry a small stash of like quarters just in case you need to take the toll so you can get through quickly. It pisses EVERYONE off when someone goes through the toll and backs things up when they can't pay or something.

There is a really good radio station that is all news all the time, and it has traffic reports like "on the eight's" or something, so at like 5:08, 5:18, 5:28, etc. If you have to do any driving you will learn to love that station. Catching the report can make a hour's difference in your commute if you get on the highway and there is a bad wreck or something. BALT has some crazy major bridges and tunnels, and when there is a wreck on one, you want to stay far far away.

Pay the $30 or so for a membership to the Aquarium. It will save you a ton of money so that when friends come you can take them. It is an awesome Aquarium, and I actually work at one of the NC State Aquariums. I have heard they have a killer Zoo as well, but haven't been.

There are some good beaches not that far away, including on the eastern shore and in Delaware (I've heard). But don't go to Ocean City, MD. I was once told a joke that pretty much ended with "every STD on earth originated in Ocean City." I'm sure it's not that bad of course, but there are a lot better and less touristy beaches out there to enjoy. And the traffic can be crazy on a Friday and Sat with everyone trying to get out of town and to the beaches, and then in the opposite direction with everyone trying to get home on Sun.

Maryland is actually pretty progressive and is looking towards the future. They have good incentives on alternative energy like solar panels, in case she is getting a house or something in the future. But that also speaks to what the mindset is. And that is a good thing. I wish more states had the incentives. North Carolina is horrible for instance.

Hope that helps some.

[NYgurkha]

Was at a frat party in Johns Hopkins once. My advice is dont hang out with JH students, they drink too much (and are all nerds ).

/Also 'Ace Of Cakes' is in Balt waterside, so it rocks.

[Jedimushroom]

Bodymore Murdaland? Oh that old chestnut...