Living in Baltimore

Housing

With more than 300 years of history behind it, Baltimore is a cosmopolitan city rich with cultural and social events, and Johns Hopkins is a significant contributor to the city’s academic and professional activities. Baltimore is staking its claim as a great American city with attractions that make it sparkle. The new wing of the Baltimore Museum of Art, the acclaimed Science Center, National Aquarium, American Visionary Art Museum, Black History Museum and professional sporting events—as well as the city’s deep historical links and 200 neighborhoods—all add up to a great place to live. Moreover, Baltimore is centrally located, so that weekend trips to the mountains or the beach are easy! It’s also an easy commute to many other attractions such as Washington, D.C., which is just a short drive or train ride away.

Visit these sites for more information:
Frommer's Review Baltimore Collegetown Live Baltimore Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts Baltimore Magazine JHSPH Student OUtreach Resource CEnter Maryland Department of Transportation Baltimore Sports & Social Club  Washingtonian Magazine

Should I live off campus or on campus?

Students have different housing options available to them in the Baltimore area. Off-campus housing provides the most options, from apartment complexes and rooms to rent to rowhouse rentals. On-campus housing is limited to one residence hall, Reed Hall, on the East Baltimore campus. [Please note, the West Wing of Reed Hall does not have any cooking facilities.] The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions’ Housing Office website provides information about on-campus and off-campus housing and related resources.

When considering location and type of housing, also consider your method of transportation to the JHSPH campus. Without a car, you will need to rely on city public transportation or the JHU/JHMI shuttle service. Many students prefer to plan their housing within walking distance of a JHU/JHMI shuttle stop. The Homewood/JHMI shuttle service runs from the Homewood campus to the East Baltimore campus, making stops at several locations along the way. This service is free to JHU/JHMI students.

Off-Campus Housing

Off-Campus Housing is preferred by most public health students and can be found in many different locations.

As a reference:
The Homewood campus refers to the Johns Hopkins University’s School of Arts and Sciences and School of Engineering. The Homewood campus is located at 3400 N. Charles Street, in the Baltimore neighborhood of Charles Village.

The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions (JHMI) refers to the Bloomberg School of Public Health, the School of Medicine, the School of Nursing, and the Hopkins Hospital located in East Baltimore, east of the Inner Harbor area.  

Several popular neighborhoods for Hopkins students include:

Charles Village is adjacent to Hopkins Homewood campus. Charles Village is several miles north of JHMI/East Baltimore campus, where the Bloomberg School of Public Health is located. It welcomes students with grass, wide-spreading trees, brick residence halls and classroom buildings, and interconnecting walkways that combine to create a comfortable country atmosphere in the heart of a major city. Bloomberg School students who live near or visit the Homewood campus can enjoy access to libraries, performing arts events, guest speakers and more. The neighborhood has a strong small-business climate and an abundance of well-known cultural and educational resources, including the Baltimore Museum of Art. There is an eclectic mix of ethnic restaurants and professional firms, especially those in the fields of graphic design, advertising, architecture and printing. In addition to Charles Village, other neighborhoods adjacent to the Homewood Campus include Roland Park/Guilford and Canterbury/Tuscany. The Hopkins shuttle runs from Homewood to JHMI throughout the day.

Mt. Vernon is located approximately 20 blocks south of Charles Village and 10 blocks north of Baltimore's Inner Harbor near the Hopkins Peabody campus and also has a Hopkins shuttle stop. This lively neighborhood serves as the cultural center of Baltimore. Living spaces include single-family Victorian row homes, carriage houses, condominiums, apartments in row homes, and several high-rises. The Walters Art Gallery and the Enoch Pratt Free Library are located in Mt. Vernon. The rejuvenation of the many historic and architecturally significant buildings has enabled Mt. Vernon to remain not only a diverse residential neighborhood, but also a cultural center and restaurant district.

Canton, Fells Point and Butchers Hill are located along Baltimore’s waterfront to the south and west of JHMI. There is limited Hopkins shuttle access to these neighborhoods, but they are a reasonable distance for students to walk or bike to campus.
 
There are other areas outside of the city that are mostly accessible by car. Some of these neighborhoods include:

Rodgers Forge / Towson—just north of the city in Baltimore County
Mt. Washington/Pikesville —northwest Baltimore City and County
Columbia—west of Baltimore in Howard County (Columbia is midway between Washington and Baltimore)

Some off-campus housing resources include:

• Baltimore Sun newspaper
• City Paper
• Craig’s List
• Baltimore CityGuide
• JHU Off-campus Housing Links

House Hunting Tips 

Members of the Student Assembly Quality of Life Committee put together the following list of helpful "House Hunting Tips". While Baltimore is full of amazing places and charm, it is important to remember that Baltimore is a city and safety should always be a top priority. Here are some things to keep in mind while searching for your new home:

1. If possible, talk to current students for specific housing recommendations

2. Visit the location in person before you sign the lease

3. Identify nearby grocery stores, places to eat, etc.

4. Find out what security measures are in place (front door security, door/window locks, alarms, etc.)

5. View crime reports by specific location at http://crimebaltimore.com/

6. Look into proximity to Hopkins Free Shuttle Service

7. Find out about parking options

8. Try to live on a busy street

9. Ensure that proper security is in place when looking at ground floor housing

10. Check out the other important links on "security", "transportation", and "disability support services" on the JHSPH Prospective Students website

On-Campus Housing

On-Campus Housing is available at Reed Hall for full-time MPH students. Reed Hall is an older residence hall for single students or those unaccompanied by their spouse and family. It provides modest accommodations. Reed Hall consists of the East Wing and West Wing. The biggest difference between the two is that the East Wing offers kitchen/cooking facilities and the West Wing does not. The West Wing only has a microwave on each floor for student use. East Wing residents must provide their own dishes, silverware and utensils for the kitchen. Students are permitted to have small dorm-size refrigerators in their rooms. All rooms in both wings are furnished with a bed, chest of drawers, desk and desk lamp, chair, book shelves, and closet space. Students must provide their own bedding and towels. A telephone is also available in each room. Availability in Reed Hall is limited, so interested students should submit a housing application as soon as possible.

Short Term Housing Options

• Local hotels/motels
• Baltimore Hostel in Mt. Vernon
• University Housing Resources
• McElderry House

Childcare and Schools

If you wish to enroll children in a public school system, you should make inquiries as soon as possible in order to complete the registration process by the start of the new school year (August/September). To enroll children in the Baltimore City school system, contact the Office of Student Placement, Baltimore City Public Schools, 200 E. North Avenue, Room 106Q, Baltimore, MD 21202, or by phone at 410-396-8600. To enroll children in the Baltimore County public school system, contact the Office of Student Data, ESS Building, 6901 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21204, or by phone at 410-887-7846. Information about parochial schools is available at www.archbalt.org. Information about private schools is available at www.aimsmd.org, while www.livebaltimore.com has information about both public and private schools.

    Daycare/childcare resources:

• http://www.daycareresource.com/maryland.html
• http://www.mdchildcare.org/mdcfc/mcc.html
• http://www.cotwcoop.org/
• http://www.baltimoreschild.com/home/index.cfm