Has anyone here actually BEEN to Baltimore?

Dude, take a deep breath. Your experience is contrary to someone else's experience... but the world will carry on.

Hunk's assessment is correct based on my experience (and the experience of most people I know, fwiw). If you live in or travel to the average urban center and you look like a stereotypical tourist, or like someone from the suburbs, or like someone who doesn't know their way around the city - then you are more likely to get harassed by the impoverished residents. Whether they are trying to sell you a service or a product, get a donation, rip you off, or are just menacing people - all are forms of harassment in one way or another.

As far as harassment and experience in Baltimore - my experience there was similar to my experience every other major city I've been to (having been to and spent substantial time in 24 of the US' 50 most populous cities). Like the previous posters said - Baltimore has a nice touristy area around the harbor, Camden yards is nice, Fed Hill is nice, Fells Point is nice. If you are there to see nice things and explore a new city then Baltimore is definitely a good option for a visit. Beyond those places I just mentioned I didn't spend substantial time in other neighborhoods. One day I ran 20 miles within the city limits and never covered the same pathway twice - my run took me into the low income west side and actually right past Mondawmin Station which is, from my understanding, the epicenter of the recent looting and rioting. I remember thinking that Mondawmin was not like anything I had seen before (lots of vagrant people, lots poverty, and an intense urban vibe). At a few points in and around the west side a few kids yelled stuff at me from across the street, etc, but I suffered no threats of violence and no physical harm. Unfortunately the harassment is pretty typical if you are running for exercise through any low income neighborhood - it comes with the territory of looking like (and being) an outsider. When I stopped and asked directions I got clear accurate directions from a person without any problem. When I asked if I cook take a shit in a corner deli I got a little pushback but in the end it worked out fine. When I wasn't running and was spending time in the nice neighborhoods I had no trouble and enjoyed my time in Baltimore. In my opinion the people, food, atmosphere, weather, and culture are all worth at least one visit for you to form your own opinion.

I know it’s an old thread, but I was googling LetsRun + Baltimore + a few keywords and this came up.

I lived there for under 20 years. I never felt unsafe and I enjoyed it, but property taxes are very high. However, I lived in Roland Park.

Crime is almost exclusively isolated to the bad parts, and if you avoid them you’ll be fine. It’s a little block to block in a few areas, but you’ll be able to tell very easily.

Ran the full thon. It’s a tour of the hood.

Downtown is nice though, and the orioles are playing well

We have a street in San Diego called Baltimore Dr. so yes, that makes me an expert. It's a nice suburban place.

It is not like any other city - it's easily the worst major metro I've been to. If you've ever been to NYC, DC, LA, Boston, Chicago you would not be thinking "wow this is just like Baltimore." Philly is pretty comparable now, but the nicer areas of Philly are much better than anything in Baltimore.

Many times. Tough place.

I remember a Hopkins student back in 2010 or so who killed a guy with a Samurai sword who broke into his house. The guy had a long criminal record and the student was spared prosecution. I believe the student was also a runner.

After all that has happened, I wonder if he would escape charges today?

Baltimore's urban blight is like no other city. It's a combination of there being many rowhouses all touching each other and them being boarded up and burned out.

The marathon is bad though - too hilly for a fast time, and in the first 2 miles you run for like 1/4 to 1/2 of a mile right by the public housing project where the Wire was filmed. The part where you cross over North is also in the hood

Yeah, the inner harbor had a lot of youths fighting yesterday. This won't be good for the city at all - what suburbanite wants to deal with that much crime when going to a baseball game?

How could you get lost leaving Camden Yards?

once you leave Camden Yards, you're pretty much out of Baltimore. Camden Yards is just as you get into the city.

Now tbe old Orioles stadium on 33rd street, thats a different story.

Orioles are 3-2 with 157 games left.

You must have missed the exit for the tunnel if you saw that much and were just driving through.

I’ve been to Baltimore many times.
Even spent an anniversary at the Four Season near the harbor and had dinner at a nice spot in Little Italy.

Why don't you go and see for yourself.

Like almost any city with a population over 250K, there are great areas and bad areas. Baltimore will actually surprise you.

Cecil Calvert, is that you???

West Baltimore?

Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiit

What’s up G?