Experience in Baltimore, United States by KC

What is it like to live in Baltimore? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Living in Baltimore is like being a part of one big weird neighborhood. Baltimore is known for its warmth and welcome to outsiders. It also embraces all unique qualities of its inhabitants, and has been the nesting ground for many emerging off-beat artists and musicians.

What is the student lifestyle like in Baltimore?

There are many universities in Baltimore, each with a different legacy: Johns Hopkins for its prowess in almost every field, but notably medicine; MICA for its highly-ranked fine arts, and University of Maryland for its prestigious post graduate programs in law and medicine, to name a few.

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Not far from Baltimore proper is Towson University, a large, public school attracting a diverse student body. The only drawback to student life in Baltimore is the lack in efficient public transportation.

How much does it cost to live in Baltimore?

Baltimore is relatively inexpensive when compared to most north-east metropolitan areas.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Baltimore? Is there any advice you can give?

Make sure you see everything before signing a contract. Research the neighborhoods well, and ask locals their opinions about the street. There are some wonderful neighborhoods very close to some bad ones so you have to be absolutely certain before you sign a lease.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Maryland is famous for its blue crabs. Beginning late Spring and lasting throughout the summer, crab season is great for crab feasts: splendid (usually) outdoor gatherings at which invitees pick apart steamed crabs with their bare hands and suck the meat from inside.

Cuts and scrapes are common, stinging with salt from the Old Bay seasoning, so we drown the pain in Natty Boh, our traditional beer. If this sounds like it might be too much for you, you can start with a more tame crabcake or Maryland Crab Soup.

In addition to crabs, Old Bay, Natty Boh, local delicacies include Berger cookies, lemons with peppermint stick straws, and snowballs with marshmallow fluff

What places would you recommend visiting in Baltimore?

Bairros:

• Hamden
• Harbor East
• Fells Point
• Canton
• Mt Washington
• Towson (satellite city to Baltimore)

Attractions:

• American Visionary Arts Museum

• Aquarium

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• Mt Vernon

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• Orioles' game at Camden Yards
• Miracle on 34th Street (Christmas season only)

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Is it good to eat out in Baltimore? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Baltimore is rife with unique and delicious eateries. Because of the indie crowd the city attracts, there's no shortage of cuisine fusions, ranging from the low-key food truck to the upscale innovative tavern.

Places to eat, in order of cost, low-high:

• GrrChe
• Haute Dog
• Gypsy Queen
• Blue Moon Cafe

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• Sticky Rice
• Golden West
• Rocket to Venus
• B&O Brasserie

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• Salt Tavern
• Fogo de Chao (it's a chain but it's a fancy chain)

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Is the nightlife good in Baltimore? Where is good to go?

I haven't partied much in Baltimore myself but there is always something going on at The Powerplant and Federal Hill.

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What advice would you give future students heading to Baltimore?

Try to get access to a car, motorcycle, or bike! Don't be afraid to meet locals, they're some of the most interesting people you'll ever meet.