Catonsville isiborderline of the West Baltimore. And as u know the infamous nature of WB. Plz Google. Dundalk comes under similar category. Fells point and federal hills are okay to live, have colleagues living there. But theirs kids go to private school or home schooled. Meaning public schools are not so great. County with great public school is Howard or Montgomery where Montgomery is closer to DC. Towns in Howard - elicott city and Columbia are the safest bet if u could find room/apts of that range. We could talk if u so wish.