New Study Highlights An Increase Attraction To Charm City
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—A new study details what draws people to live in Baltimore, and what drives them out of the city.
Alex DeMetrick reports, it's information the mayor hopes will ultimately help grow Baltimore.
After decades of decline, people are moving into Baltimore.
"We are experiencing a renaissance. New families, millennials and new companies are increasingly choosing to make Baltimore home," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
A study detailing what attracts people to Baltimore breaks down the positives into pull factors.
Things like living close to work, entertainment options from baseball to the BSO, a sense of community within neighborhoods and affordable housing.
But then there are the negatives, or push factors, including public safety and crime, large areas of litter and vacant houses, taxes higher than surrounding counties and parking and transportation hassles.
And public schools remain a major factor in driving people out of Baltimore.
The study found a perception problem with parents who miss seeing high performing schools because of the system's overall negative reputation.
"And we're seeing more of our schools being able to perform at levels that exceed parent's expectations," the mayor said.
Still it's school age when for sale signs go up, sometimes in neighborhoods with schools equal to county schools.
"Wow, if we like Roger's Forge Elementary, then Medfield has the same performance and strong leadership and will have a newer facility in the next two to three years," said Steve Gondol, Director, LIVE Baltimore.
But to grow Baltimore by 10,000 families in 10 years, more neighborhood's will need higher performing schools.
