All depends on the neighborhood. We moved there in '87 from another state, NE part of town above the old Memorial Stadium. We are white and moved into a predominately black area - 90% black. The only whites left didn't leave with the rest of the white flight back in the late '60s and '70s.

I'm sure we were treated much better by our black neighbors than they were treated by the whites when they first moved to the neighborhood.

We were there 13 years and though we had a neighborhood covenant agreement (like a homeowners association agreement) to keep properties repaired, the neighborhood continued to deteriorate. Though prohibited by the covenant, section 8 moved in. As welfare, section 8 and drugs moved in, things waxed worse. Anyhow, we were able to get out at a decent time with decent appreciation on our townhouse. However, as I tell the story, the gunfire I hear at my farm in WV is quite a bit different than that I heard in Baltimore.

It was a good experience for me and my family. My kids are quite a bit more familiar with black culture than the average white kid. I also learned quite a bit about institutionalized racism, dominant culture vs minority and perceived black inferiority. By the way, the covenant agreement still said Negros had to be out of the neighborhood by 6:00 PM.

Though the NE part of the city probably had the lowest crime rate, much of Baltimore is a hell hole. If one had to live there you should go out to the suburbs or in a gated secured area. Some areas have decent security.

Nevertheless, I would not move back to a big city like Baltimore by choice. Though on beautiful spring days like today, I miss watching the skirts walk by at the Inner Harbor at lunchtime....