I've been asked to come to Baltimore for a job interview, and I'm trying to see if I can get out there next weekend.

Do you guys know of any relatively cheap, safe places to stay in Baltimore or the Timonium area? The company's address is listed as being in Timonium, but I'd be flying into Baltimore International airport.

Also, what transportation would you recommend in terms of getting from airport to place to stay to interview place, etc?

Thanks. :)

That reminds me. How was your trip to Pittsburgh? Which area of Pittsburgh were you in?

So you are looking specifically at Timonium? The company you are interviewing with didn't set up any type of transportation from BWI? I assume they knew you are flying in, I would think that they could at least recommend this stuff for you.

If you stay in downtown Baltimore, stay in the inner harbor. In timonium, I haven't gotten a clue.

I don't know how cheap it is, but we had out-of-town folks stay here for our wedding:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/search/hotel_detail.html?propertyID=33

It's in Towson (close to Timonium), connected to the Towson Town Mall. Should be pretty safe, and there's stuff around to do (colleges nearby, so there are bars, restaurants...including a Melting Pot; and of course the mall).

Probably better off staying up there and out of Baltimore itself, if that's where you need to be anyhow. I'm sure there are Sleep/Comfort Inns and the like up there too.

Dola - I was going to ask if you were interviewing with Firaxis, but they list Hunt Valley as their address. ;)

That reminds me. How was your trip to Pittsburgh? Which area of Pittsburgh were you in?

Good! Very relaxing. :) I stayed with a friend in Butler, actually, so not really in Pittsburgh proper like I initially thought it was.

So you are looking specifically at Timonium? The company you are interviewing with didn't set up any type of transportation from BWI? I assume they knew you are flying in, I would think that they could at least recommend this stuff for you.

If you stay in downtown Baltimore, stay in the inner harbor. In timonium, I haven't gotten a clue.

Well, they just said to let them know when I'm going to be in the Baltimore area so they can arrange a personal interview. As far as transportation from BWI goes, the general consensus I'm getting is to take the shuttles.

I don't know how cheap it is, but we had out-of-town folks stay here for our wedding:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/search/hotel_detail.html?propertyID=33

It's in Towson (close to Timonium), connected to the Towson Town Mall. Should be pretty safe, and there's stuff around to do (colleges nearby, so there are bars, restaurants...including a Melting Pot; and of course the mall).

Probably better off staying up there and out of Baltimore itself, if that's where you need to be anyhow. I'm sure there are Sleep/Comfort Inns and the like up there too.

Thanks for the tip. :) I'll do some more looking around. BTW, the hotel's around $120 a night.

Good! Very relaxing. :) I stayed with a friend in Butler, actually, so not really in Pittsburgh proper like I initially thought it was.
Oh, yeah, Butler's way out of my way. I'm glad you enjoyed your time in Pennsylvania, though.

I work 2 miles north of Timonium in Cockeysville. Straight up York Road.
Here is one in Timonium:

RED ROOF INN

BALTIMORE NORTH - TIMONIUM
111 WEST TIMONIUM RD
I-83 AT W TIMONIUM RD, EXIT #16/16-A
TIMONIUM, MD, USA, 21093
410-666-0380
Number Of Adults: 1 Number Of Rooms: 1
Number Of Nights: 1

Room Description: ACCESSIBLE 2 FULL BEDS NON-SMOKING
RATE NAME PER NIGHT
Standard Rate $71.99 USD
*Tax not included and will be added upon check-in
Room Description: STANDARD 2 FULL BEDS SMOKING
RATE NAME PER NIGHT
Standard Rate $74.99 USD
*Tax not included and will be added upon check-in
Room Description: STANDARD 2 FULL BEDS NON-SMOKING
RATE NAME PER NIGHT
Standard Rate $74.99 USD
*Tax not included and will be added upon check-in
Room Description: BUSINESS KING NON-SMOKING,LRG DESK,MICRO-FRIDGE
RATE NAME PER NIGHT
Standard Rate $79.99 USD

Here is another one:

Ramada Limited Cockeysville (Econo Lodge)
10100 York Rd.
Cockeysville, MD 21030 US


Ramada Limited Cockeysville from $66.00 USD
This Ramada is located approximately 25 miles from Baltimore/Washington International Airport, Baltimore Inner Harbor, and Baltimore Zoo.

MORE DISCOUNTED RATES AVAILABLE

Room Type Thu Avg Nightly Rate
Standard with 1 King Bed Smoking $66.00 $66.00 Book Now
Standard with 2 Double Beds Non Smoking $66.00 $66.00 Book Now
Standard with 1 King Bed Non Smoking $66.00 $66.00 Book Now
Standard with 2 Double Beds Smoking $66.00 $66.00 Book Now


Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll try to answer them.

Thanks, MCK. :) Another question I have is about the cost of living in that area. During some pre-qualification questions I asked the recruitment manager on the phone, she mentioned that starting employees make about 35-40K a year on average, 50K for the people who work a little harder than the norm (It's comission-based). How does that compare to the COL for the area? Oh and benefits are included, health and dental with Blue Cross/Blue Shield apparently.

The onlly piece of advice I have is that you better hope that it's not windy when you fly in, as I believe that BWI's runways run east to west, and those U-turns in Mid-air are not fun when it's windy.

Not exactly sure what the cost of living is in this area because I live 30 min away. I've always thought it was more expensive then the areas I have lived in.
Half the employees I work with live up in Pennsylvania. Homes are 30-50k cheaper up there. It's about a 45-1hr ride depending on traffic to get down to Timonium.
This is not a run down area. Very busy area with many corporations.
Your only about 20-30 min away from Baltimore's Inner Harbor which is where both stadiums are for the Orioles & Ravens. This area also has 2 of the best hospitals around with GBMC & St. Joes.
For Homes: You can look up Longandfoster.com for these zip codes 21093, 21030, 21031, 21086 all within 15 minutes of Timonium
Renting: at the very minimum $1000 probably more (all depends on what you need)

I've been working in this area for 13 years. In my situation with wife and 2 kids, I felt the need to live in a less expensive area. But if we had the money, I would have no problem moving to this area. Places to eat, things to do, great location, events within a 30 min drive.

Hope this helps you out.

MCK's recommendations look like good ones. I figured there were some options around there, just didn't know of specific ones.