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Finding a place to live

Started by kadams9 · 4 months ago

Hello all,

I am relocating to Frederick, MD (from Baton Rouge, LA) next month for a postdoctoral appointment. From what I hear, downtown Frederick is where I want to live. I am looking for a nice, secure apartment in the historic district, perhaps above a restaurant or coffee shop. Can anyone here suggest some places for me to start looking? I have checked the Frederick News Post, and Craigslist, but there doesn't seem to be much available. Is this an accurate observation? I would appreciate any advice those here can offer!

Thanks so much!

21 comments

  • lashed

    4 months ago

    Hi Baton Rouge! I moved to Frederick last year and there were lots of downtown apartments listed on Craigslist in and the FNP classifieds. Now I'm looking again (my apartment right now is *just* outside of downtown and I'd like to be right there on Market St) but just like you, I'm finding the listings are few and far between! I'm not sure why that might be, so I'm afraid I don't have much advice. However, you might want to consider the many apartment complexes that aren't in the historic district, because they're only about a 10 minute drive away and they have the advantage of lots of parking (something that's not always a given when you move downtown). They can be found on apartment websites like rent dot com.
    reply
  • guy1320

    4 months ago

    Not sure of your budget, but there is a condo on Carroll Creek for rent @ $1600 per month.
    reply
  • Frog

    4 months ago

    I would suggest the new condos @ Carroll Creek, too. The FSK Apartments (http://www.fskapts.com/) are right above a coffee shop and 1/2 block off Market look pretty nice, and brand new but I don't know if there are any vacancies.

    BTW, Guy, a friend of mine just moved out of a 1 BR in Wellington Trace and was paying around $1400/mo. I haven't looked for a rental in a long time, but I don't think you can do much better than $1500/mo downtown. We just hired a neubie scientist from Boston & she found a place on Third street this week (1BR, Bath Kitchen and sitting room) and I think she said it was $800/mo.

    If Baton Rouge is moving down for a post-doc, then they would enjoy the Creek, especially if their background is in cyanobacteria!
    reply
  • kadams9

    4 months ago

    Thank you all for the suggestions. I found the FSK apartments on the internet, but from what I can gather, they are rent-controlled. I'm not sure if they rent to people who don't fit the income criteria. I'm looking to stay around $1000/month for a 1 bedroom. Not sure that I can afford the condos at Carroll Creek on my salary, although they sound wonderful.
    reply
  • lily2905

    4 months ago

    I don't know how soon you need to move, but I love my downtown apartment but I'll be buying a house in a few months and my 1 BR will be available in August. It's very cute and right downtown!
    reply
  • Sculpturegirl

    4 months ago

    Unfortunately, many apartments for rent downtown are advertised only on signs at the actual location. I'd contact a realtor in town who can look for you. I wouldn' t pay over $1000 for a downtown apartment and know many people living in swanky old places for much, much less. Good Luck! If I see anything I'll post it.
    reply
  • Sculpturegirl

    4 months ago

    Living just outside of town and living in town are very different scenarios. I've done both and I felt like I've lived in different cities entirely! Being able to walk downtown is a big deal for me. I live about 20 minutes walking distance from the center of town, but I wanted to buy a house with a little yard for a garden. We can walk to Baker Park in only 10 minutes.
    reply
  • Sculpturegirl

    4 months ago

    OK: Here is a townhouse for rent for less than $1000 downtown: http://www.juergenhaber.com/441.html South Street isn't the best street in town, but I don't know that I would say that it is actually dangerous. (Can anyone weigh in on this?) Nonetheless, you can get a great old place for a steal and still be within walking distance to city center.
    reply
  • cityside

    4 months ago

    Remember, too, that while you may spend more on the real estate downtown, you can also potentially save, depending on where/how you work. I work at home and, if it weren't for trash night (we don't have off street parking) could often go a week without getting into my car. That starts to add up at $3.50 a gallon.

    In addition to the South Street area, it's worth looking on the North End (4th and above). Costs are lower and it's easily walkable to employers like Hood and the Hospital (Ft. Detrick's in easy biking distance, too. Although I'm not sure what the ride down seventh street would be like...)
    reply
  • cityside

    4 months ago

    Double post...whoops
    reply
  • kadams9

    4 months ago

    Thanks, all, for all of your help so far! I really appreciate it!

    I do have a question, about the South Market St/South St area. I have seen some advertised availability in this area, and from what I can gather, it is a relatively nice area. Is this an accurate observation?

    Thanks in advance!
    reply
  • Sculpturegirl

    4 months ago

    South Market/ South Street has in the past not been the best area, but builders have come in and put up fancy townhomes that look really nice and a little on the expensive side. And there is a swanky new Italian restaurant on the corner there. That link I posted about the townhouse for rent is a little farther away from Market Street, closer to Jefferson. I know the owner; he's quirky, but a really nice guy. I live just a five or ten minute walk away. There is a sketchy liquor shop on the corner of Jefferson and South that makes the neighborhood seem a little seedy, but South Street is really shaping up! People are cleaning up their own homes and new folks are moving in. I wouldn't have a problem living there. Heck, I lived on 5th Street with prostitutes drinking on my stoop and things were fine. You probably just want to stay away from Route 40 neighborhoods.

    Also, the city just refurbished Carrol Creek park, which is just up the street from Market and South. There are condos a long the park that are selling for buko-bucks! What was once a lousy part of town, is now the most sought-after!
    reply
  • cityside

    4 months ago

    Btw...just so you know, I don't see much in the way of hookers hanging out on stoops along 5th Street these days. The area is in the process of transition/gentrification (and I guess we count. Our house was a rental before we bought it). The change hasn't been quite as rapid as down closer to the creek - no massive upscale condo projects - but is occurring nonetheless.

    Hell, all three of the liquor stores within two blocks of us are now selling wine with corks...
    reply
  • Sculpturegirl

    4 months ago

    Yeah, not any more. I was there several years ago. Fifth street has cleaned up it's act. I still have a studio there and it is still my favorite street in town!!!

    Wines with corks!?! YAY! I used to go down to the one by the 7-11 when I had open studios and parties. They have a fairly good selection of wine.
    reply
  • kadams9

    4 months ago

    Thanks for all of your help! I found a nice apt to rent on S. Market St, near South St. So now that that's been squared away, I have to find a good gym close by...
    reply
  • phins2dleft

    4 months ago

    I'd love to invite you to contact my Allstate agency in Frederick. We could help you with both your auto and renters insurance.

    ahiggins@allstate.com
    reply
  • Liz

    4 months ago

    The YMCA is close by there (N. Market and 9th St.) and the city has a nice gym in the Talley Rec Center right in Baker Park at the corner of 2nd and Bentz St.
    reply
  • Sculpturegirl

    4 months ago

    What kind of prices does the YMCA have? The rec center is really cheap!
    reply
  • Liz

    4 months ago

    I haven't been a member of the Y in a long time so I don't know the prices anymore. They have different plans (single, family etc...) and I've heard they are relatively expensive. They also have a lot more to offer with the pools and excellent facilities.

    The Talley Rec Center is a very good bargain, especially for city residents. The price goes up if you are not a resident of the city of Frederick.
    reply
  • capsfan

    4 months ago

    My husband & I moved in to one of the new townhomes at South & Market over a year ago and absolutely love the neighborhood. It's great to be able to walk everywhere and I feel very safe in this area. Having lived here 25 years ago, I know how it's changed!
    reply
  • Edge

    4 months ago

    We're new and living in the Ft Detrick area. The 60 bus stops at 7th st, heading downtown in less than 15 mins. Bus drivers are very helpful to confused newbies. We take the 30 bus from the Marc station back, also a short ride. Between traffic, gas prices and parking fees, the bus can't be beat! Besides, we don't have our car shipped in yet.
    reply
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