Baltimore, the largest city in Maryland, is an old port and industrial town which is well known for its diversity of neighborhoods. The city is situated on the Chesapeake Bay, and its beautiful Inner Harbor is at the center of restaurant, shopping and business districts. Baltimore is a city of contrasts. The skyscrapers that dominate the downtown commercial district are only a short walk from the small town charm of low rise residential neighborhoods and the world famous Lexington Market which has been in operation since 1782.
Baltimore was second only to Ellis Island as a port of entry during the mass migration to the United States of the 18th and early 19th centuries. People of many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds give the city a melting pot vitality which is reflected in the wide variety of restaurants, shops and ethnic festivals.
Further, Baltimore also offers a rich cultural diet. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performs under the baton of Marin Alsop in Meyerhoff Hall. The Choral Arts Society and the Baltimore Opera Company present wonderful programs throughout the year. And, The Peabody Conservatory of Music also hosts ongoing concert series. From Eubie Blake to Billie Holiday to Cab Calloway and Cyrus Chestnut, Baltimore has produced many influential Jazz musicians. And, organizations such as the Baltimore Jazz Alliance and the Chamber Jazz Society seek to keep this rich tradition alive. In addition, the Walters Art Museum and the Baltimore Museum of Art have fantastic collections to explore.
A wide variety of interesting institutions are located in the city such as the Maryland Science Center and the live theater of Center Stage. The National Aquarium features full scale rain forests. The 160 acre Maryland Zoo was established in 1876. You can learn about the birth of our National Anthem at Fort McHenry. Or, the birth of the railroad in the United States at the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum. And, if all of the above is too boring for you, perhaps you might be interested in the outsider art on display at the American Visionary Art Museum or the Kinetic Sculpture Race which it sponsors annually.
For sports fans, Baltimore is home to the Super Bowl Champion Ravens and the Orioles who play at M&T Bank Stadium and Camden Yards respectively when they are in town. When you go to see either of these great teams play, be sure to set aside enough time to stop by the Babe Ruth and Sports Legends Museums located nearby. Another museum of note is the Lacrosse Hall of Fame where you can learn about the origins of “America’s oldest sport.” In the Spring, horse racing fans can enjoy wonderful events such as the Preakness triple crown race at Pimlico, or the traditional Hunt Cup steeplechase. Further, the city is about three hours drive from resorts on the Atlantic Ocean such as Ocean City and Rehoboth.
In terms of education, Baltimore’s Enoch Pratt Free Library is considered to be one of the best in the country. Further, there are a large number of high quality schools and institutions of higher learning to choose from in and around Baltimore.
Living in Baltimore can be much more affordable than many other large cities in the Northeast United States and beyond. There are numerous attractive and stable neighborhoods throughout the Baltimore area which offer an easy commute to downtown Baltimore by light rail, subway, bus or car. You can also use your car, the MARC train, or the AMTRAK train to easily gain access to the many cultural and employment opportunities in Washington, DC ,Philadelphia and New York City. In addition, Baltimore Washington International (BWI) airport can be reached by light rail, MARC or AMTRAK, so even efficient national and international travel is only minutes away.
Throughout the city, neighborhoods dating as far back as 1799 offer a diverse mix of housing. The type of housing available can range from 12 foot wide rowhouses (What is a rowhouse? See Culture of Baltimore), to multi-wing mansions on 1/2 acre lots, original mid century modern split level homes, new construction condos, etc..
For example, Fells Point is a beautiful, historic residential waterfront community. Many of the townhouses and condominiums in neighborhoods such as Butcher's Hill and Canton feature dramatic views of the harbor and city skyline. Along with the Patterson Park area, these neighborhoods are located near to the huge Johns Hopkins Biotech Park project.
Also located near the gleaming water of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, the historic neighborhoods of Locust Point, Federal Hill, and Otterbein have undergone extensive renewal in recent years and offer a charming mix of both new and historic homes.
Mount Vernon is an elegant community of streets lined with restaurants, local shops and galleries. This neighborhood is the site of the first monument erected in honor of George Washington in the nation, and offers a variety of historic townhouses, modern highrises, and condominiums. Station North Arts and Entertainment District offers both new construction and historic homes to those with a more pioneering spirit. Your efforts will be rewarded because your new home will be steps away from some of the hottest entertainment in town as well as AMTRAK’s Pennsylvania Station where you can access both MARC and AMTRAK trains. Another very interesting nearby neighborhood is Bolton Hill where it is easy to find beautifully restored Victorian era townhomes and quiet tree lined streets. And, if your interests run toward the revitalization of historic neighborhoods, one more area that you might want to consider is Reservoir Hill located just North of Bolton Hill.
The neighborhoods surrounding Johns Hopkins University present an eclectic mix of students, professionals and families. Housing ranges from the rowhouses and high-rises of Charles Village to the quiet tree lined streets of Oakenshawe, Roland Park, Homeland and Guilford.
Ednor Gardens, Mayfield and Greater Lauraville are a collection of stable, residential neighborhoods located near the excellent jogging, biking and people watching at Lake Montebello reservoir.
The historic neighborhood of Union Square is conveniently located near to the massive University of Maryland BioPark project. The neighborhood of Hampden works hard to live up to its reputation as being the spiritual heart of the city. And, finally, for those in search of a more suburban setting Mount Washington might be a place to consider.
Whichever neighborhood you choose to live in, a touch of open space is never far away. Parks are scattered throughout the city and range from the rolling landscapes of Druid Hill Park and Patterson Park to the wilderness-in-the-city feel of the Gwynns Falls Trail.
-Vernon George & Tirza Chávez
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Vernon George/Tirza Chávez
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Vernon George & Tirza Chávez
