Greetings!
Althought not there now, I spent most of my life in the Baltimore/DC world.
Baltimore isn't much different from any major city. It's got really nice/well-to-do areas, including the downtown/inner harbor area where you need six figures just to get by and only blocks away you can find low income/subsidized housing and the local drug scene. Downtown/inner harbor is relatively safe, but, like anywhere, you're smart to keep your eyes up and be aware. You might see a limo drive by as you notice a bum peeing in the alley behind an office building. Great places to eat abound, along with entertainment. The Orioles and the Ravens have stadiums right in the downtown area. You also have DC only 30 miles to the south (30 minutes to an hour drive) where you'll find a wealth of historic monuments, crime (politicians work there, as do street criminals), federal offices and some of the most diverse culture anywhere in the world.
In general, the DC/Baltimore region has some of the worst traffic congestion in the country. This has to do with the fact that there are relatively few freeways to the amount of people that have lengthy daily commutes. Most folks that work in the cities live outside the of the city in order to avoid the high property cost in the city. Very rich and very poor live in the city. Middle class usually opts to stretch their property dollar in the suburbs.
Both DC and Baltimore have everything you'll ever need and more. Of note are great colleges: Univ of MD (one campus in Baltimore, one nearer to DC in College Park, MD), Johns Hopkins (Baltimore), Georgetown and George Washington (DC). Both cities have major zoos and Baltimore has a renowned aquarium as well.
You'll need to consider your budget/income and housing needs against the market, but something can be found for most situations, thought many have to compromise on location or cost or quality to to match their resources.
One thing I can tell ya about Baltimore: You don't want to be anywhere neare Druid Park or Martin Luther King Ave and don't park your Hayabusa in the city if you don't have to...and if you have to, get full coverage and keep it paid up.
Big cities are big cities. They have everything, good and bad in terms of people, places, business, entertainment, food, work and everything else and Baltimore is no exception. But if you keep your wits about ya, exercise common sense and plan well, the city has a lot to offer and can be a home on most any budget.
Best of luck!
