Carson Porter

I read an article today and it was the first I had heard of these new sites dedicated to housing swaps. Usually I am all for creative ideas that help people sell their homes faster but I'm not too sure about this one. It just seems like such a long shot that it's probably not even worth trying. Maybe put it on CL, but to pay for a listing on these sites seems like a waste.

I could be wrong (often am), what's your take on this 'trend'?

Click here for the article or just read below:

Charles Village is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Baltimore. I actually have a happy hour coming up next week at the Brewer's Art. Too bad I'm not into independent films though. Maybe one of these days I'll make the move, but for now at least I get to drive through it every day on my way to work.

Here is the Charles Village page on Baltimoresun.com. It is constantly updated with new articles, so keep checking back if this is a neighborhood you're interested in.

I'd be interested to hear what you think about the area or our coverage of it, so don't be shy about leaving a quick comment.

By Sumathi Reddy | Sun reporter

October 27, 2007

Citizens on Patrol hopes to start a movement in East Baltimore

As dusk settles, the glittering lights of downtown emerge, just a few miles away -- but a world removed -- from one of the roughest areas in one of the deadliest cities in the country.

A group gathers on the corner of North Patterson Park Avenue and East Hoffman Street in East Baltimore, within blocks of the scenes of at least eight homicides this year.

Police officers and representatives from the mayor's office, a mother from South Baltimore and a couple hand-in-hand, two members of the Guardian Angels in their signature red jackets and berets. Folks from Brooklyn and Curtis Bay, Morrell Park and Key Highway.

They patrol their neighborhoods regularly, and now they're here for what might seem like a simple thing, a Citizens on Patrol walk, but for a neighborhood that has never seen one, it's a significant step. Symbolic, if nothing else.

"Most of these people here are from other parts of the city," says Lt. Col. Odis L. Sistrunk Jr., director of community relations for the Police Department, as the group waits for the local representatives. "It's really not at the point where this is a community event. When people in the neighborhood here see the walk ... eventually you'll have more people getting involved."

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By Nick Gestido | Special to baltimoresun.com

From high atop Brewers Hill, the neon face of Mr. Boh looks down across the tops of rowhomes and warehouses to the waterfront along Boston Street. The famous Baltimore icon has a fantastic view of Canton, a happening hotspot in southeast Baltimore.

Once a booming hub of industry, Canton is now a trendy area for young urban professionals. Instead of foundries, warehouses and wharfs, you will now find a variety of restaurants, bars and nightclubs along the streets of Canton. The neighborhood is a melting pot -- a mixing of its industrial, blue-collar roots with the new "executive" face of the community. There is no better example of this blending than the American Can Company on Boston Street. Once a large canning facility, the rehabbed buildings now house chic restaurants and retailers and high-tech business.

A short trip down O'Donnell Street from the Can Company leads to O'Donnell Square. The center of the square was once an open-air public market but now serves as a small patch of green in the dense urban jungle. Surrounding the square are a multitude of bars and restaurants as well as a few retail shops. This area truly caters to the local nightlife, offering something for everyone, whether you're looking to have a beer, sip some wine or drink-til-you-drop. The popularity of the establishments are evident to anyone trying to find a parking spot nearby.

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Insiders' guide to Mid-Govans By Nancy Jones-Bonbrest | Special to the sun January 27, 2008

Founded as a residential offshoot to the busy York Road business route, Mid-Govans offered its earliest residents the ease of being within walking distance of area merchants, shops and churches. Today's residents still find those features inviting.

"I brag about the neighborhood all the time. The quietness, the cleanliness of it," said Irvin Johns, president of the Mid-Govans Community Association. "It's convenient to pretty much everything."

Located along the east side of York Road just south of the historic Senator Theatre, the tucked away residential community consists of 866 homes. Mid-Govans, bounded by Woodbourne Avenue and York, Benninghaus and Lothian roads, is just one neighborhood that makes up the larger Govans area.

Louise Harris, a Mid-Govans resident for 27 years, said it offers a true mix of people and a good variety of "quaint" homes.

"I call it the hidden gem," said Harris, who serves as the vice president of the Mid-Govans Community Association. "A lot of people don't know we exist. But it's definitely a place to keep on your radar if you're looking for an affordable home."

Lined with mature trees and mixed-matched streets, Mid-Govans has little cut-through traffic from busy York Road, Harris said, so it's a quiet neighborhood where people enjoy getting out and walking around.

Community leaders say the neighborhood holds promise and maintains a high 70 percent home ownership rate.

"It's one of those un-mined resources," said Shirl Byron, the executive director of the North East Development Alliance. "It's being discovered slowly."

Housing stock // Mostly modest single-family homes, especially bungalow-style houses, are associated with the neighborhood. Front porches, over-sized front lawns and 1920s architecture are attractive features. Restored and well-kept homes are mixed in with those still in need of renovation.

Melvin Knight, an agent in Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage's Roland Park office, believes the area offers a lot of value and amenities for the asking price. He said small pockets and particular streets in the area are hot real estate spots. Prices in the general Govans area have gone up in the past year.

A typical home in Mid-Govans starts in the low $100,000 range, with restored homes fetching prices in the low $200,000 range.

"It has the advantage of being in the city, but it's green and has trees and it's very convenient," said Knight. "That's what people like about it."

Rentals // Lothian Apartments is located on the edge of the neighborhood and offers one- and two-bedroom brick duplexes that start at $600 per month.

Crime // Theft from cars and other property crimes are the main concern in Mid-Govans, said John Walter, the Baltimore City Northern District community relations officer. Most major crimes were down from the year before. "The community association is very active, which really is a bonus and a plus for that neighborhood," said Walter.

Kids and schools // The public school choices for children in Mid-Govans include Govans Elementary, Chinquapin Middle and W.E.B. DuBois High School and Reginald F. Lewis High School. While the elementary school has met state Adequate Yearly Progress standards, the middle and high schools have not. St. Mary of the Assumption School is the closest private alternative.

Shopping // The neighborhood is walking distance to Belvedere Square, which features many specialty shops, including home furnishings, children's boutiques and an independent bookstore. Other stores and services line York Road and Towson Town Center is a short drive north.

Dining in // The Belvedere Square Market is 5,400 square feet of gourmet and fresh food, offering a European-style shopping experience. Mid-Govans is also located between two Giant Food stores, one on York Road north of Northern Parkway and the other on 33rd Street.

Dining Out // A wide selection of neighborhood restaurants cover just about any craving, including wood-fired pizza, bagels, Irish fare, sushi, Tex-Mex and Chinese. A neighborhood favorite is Atwater's, a gourmet sandwich, cheese and soup shop located at Belvedere Square.

Nightlife // The neighborhood is just across the street from the Senator Theatre, one of the few remaining art deco movie houses in the nation. The theatre opened in 1939 and is widely considered a neighborhood anchor. During the summer, Belvedere Square offers a free outdoor concert series.

Recreation // Located in the heart of Mid-Govans is DeWees Park, a 14-acre facility that houses the Northeast Football League, a Police Action League and a City Farms program. Residents continue to upgrade the park, recently planting 40 trees with help from a grant.

Copyright © 2008, The Baltimore Sun

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