How Baltimore Quietly Became the Coolest City on the East Coast

Travel and Leisure ^ | July 26, 2017 | David Amsden

[C19fan]

There's much more to Charm City than what you've seen on The Wire. Even as racial tensions make headlines in this famously blue-collar town on the Chesapeake, slick waterfront projects and farm-to-table dining have arrived along with a new, younger generation of residents set on building the place they want to live in. One native Marylander travels to the city he first knew as a kid to meet the doers and dreamers driving Baltimore's next act.

[onedoug]

One thing I noticed about Charleston was the density of gorgeous women. I’d never seen anything quite like that before. Anywhere.

[freedomfiter2]

In that case, there’s a lot of east coast cities that are thankful they aren’t cool.

[montag813]

Walking-While-White in Baltimore after dark is just asking to be a contestant in the Knockout Game.

[McCarthysGhost]

I was going to vacation in Detroit but maybe I will give Baltimore a second look.

[Defiant]

Any city that has a mayor and city attorney pushing BLM causes is by definition unlivable. I would never trust my safety to living in such a place, and will be scared just driving through.

[AlaskaErik]

Maryland doesn’t honor my CCW, so for me, it’s off my list of places to go.

[usconservative]

That could just as easily be the near south or west sides of Chicago.

[nicollo]

In the late 80s, I lived for a year on N. Charles Street not far from the war zone on North Ave. Drove through the area a few years ago and couldn’t believe how bad things had gotten, went from bad to horrific. It’s like a favela, only the streets are paved.

I mentioned it to an O’Malley staffer at a DC political event, and the guy started spewing about how great the city is doing and how wonderful O’Malley was as mayor. I said, “So, let’s you and I drive through central Baltimore together, and if you still want to repeat that, then I’ll listen.” He just stared at me, then walked away.

This is what we would have seen: “Baltimore Ghetto Tour 2014” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqruvUIion4

(Btw, Freepers, please help one another by putting a title on your YouTube links!)

[chuckee]

I am waiting for the author’s next article on The Wonders of Detroit. Put down the crack pipe, dude.

[hal ogen]

Only go to baltimore if you have a death wish and are self-loathing.

[bravo whiskey]

I am forced to return to MD from time to time due to family. Always feel naked without my GLOCK.

[Albion Wilde]

Even the good parts aren’t much good. And they are only steps from the bad parts, that are very, very bad.

[x]

Low rents attract artists and make cities and neighborhoods "cool" ...

... which attracts rich people who want to be "cool," eventually driving up the rents so the artists can't afford to live there any more ...

... but the reputation for being "cool" will live on zombie style for a while longer ...

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Maryland “Freak State” PING!

[the OlLine Rebel]

Because despite all the vitriol on FR any time it comes up, Baltimore WAS a truly great city - before 1968.

[Fiji Hill]

One thing I noticed about Charleston was the density of gorgeous women. I’d never seen anything quite like that before. Anywhere.

I'm Going to Charleston Back to Charleston

I'm going to Charleston back to my old shack in Charleston, Charleston,
Hang my hat upon the rack in Charleston, Charleston,
I'm so full of joy today, I could Charleston all the way,
'Til I land in someone's empty arms

Say, I can almost hear those southern darkies hummin', strummin'
That old favorite melody of mine,
Feet, don't let me wait, hit that road and syncopate,
I'll Charleston back to Charleston, Caroline.

First saw light in Charleston.
Grew up right in Charleston.
Learned to dance in Charleston.
Found romance in Caroline.
I’m proud that I’m from Charleston,
Had good times in Charleston.
Charleston! Hey! Hey! On my way today!