Are you looking for the perfect place to call home in Baltimore County? With so many neighborhoods to choose from, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. To make the process easier, we've put together a comprehensive guide to the most popular neighborhoods in Baltimore County. We'll look at housing types, costs, general environment, neighbors, quality of schools, and popular things to do so you can compare it to your personal wish list and set of priorities. Let's start with some useful statistics on housing and rent prices in Baltimore for reference.
According to real estate agent David Orso, buyers flock to Severna Park for two things: access to water and schools. During the period from 2010 to 2019, Baltimore City lost more than 10,000 residents. By contrast, during that same period, Baltimore County attracted more than 26,000 additional residents, and Anne Arundel and Howard counties experienced similar growth. Now let's dive into our favorite neighborhoods. First up is Hampden.
Located in North Baltimore between the Jones Falls Highway and Wyman Park, this neighborhood is full of young hipsters and long-time residents. The main thoroughfare runs along W 36th Street, where you'll find a lively scene of restaurants and bars, independent stores, and people who like to stay out late. Some local favorites include The Bluebird Cocktail Room, Atomic Books, and The Charmery. Canton is located in Southeast Baltimore and offers a wide range of residents, things to do and the community atmosphere of a small town. People here are more than happy to take advantage of the beachfront location, access to parks, good walking accessibility and spectacular seafood offerings.
Even if you don't end up living in Canton, come here for your sweet and savory crab fix at the favorite Captain James Seafood Palace, approved by Oprah. There's plenty to do here too - walking tours, visits to the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park Museum or eating at the Thames Street Oyster House. Mount Vernon is a melting pot of emotions located in downtown Baltimore just north of the city center. This lively neighborhood is full of things to do - historic charm, modern amenities, easy walking access, culture - plus easy access to work. Surprisingly it's still relatively affordable for now.
There are also a good variety of house types available in Mount Vernon from historic single-family Victorian townhouses and carriage garages to contemporary condominiums and skyscrapers. Mostly families live here with an atmosphere that's quite suburban but not too far from the hustle and bustle of the city. The city's services are decent with restaurants, cafes, parks and consumer chains. There are also 22 public schools (and 10 private schools) serving Ellicott City including several that are among the 10 best in the state according to Niche in terms of their grade levels. A little further away from Baltimore is Columbia - a great suburb to consider if you're looking for a slightly larger city with slightly better nightlife options. Niche rates Columbia as the 5th best city to raise a family in the United States with an overall rating of A+.
The environment here is dense and suburban with many young families plus several young professionals living in Columbia. Travelers can expect about a 20-minute drive to Baltimore which is about 20 miles away. Rodgers Forge in Towson is such a clean and dated neighborhood that everyone loves it. The old homes tree-lined streets and shops on York Road make these homes very popular with new tenants moving to Baltimore. These rentals are affordable compared to other communities so once again they tend to sell out quickly. With a subway line that runs from Owings Mills through downtown to Johns Hopkins Hospital Owings Mills is the ideal neighborhood for those who want to live in the suburbs and use public transportation to get to the city.
A wonderful area with a variety of homes shops and recreational services Owings Mills is a popular choice for those traveling to Baltimore Howard County and beyond. As for schools in Hampden while Niche gives the neighborhood's 58 public schools an overall grade of C- the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Baltimore City College are among the 100 best public high schools in Maryland. It's worth noting that their list includes neighborhoods farthest from the city center and some are located in Baltimore County rather than in the city of Baltimore proper. Start by consulting more information on the PODS blog where we share useful tips and tricks for your move. From an overview of essential moving and packing supplies or what to ask when researching a moving company to advice on moving with portable storage containers for the first time we've got you covered every step of the way. If you're looking for an ideal place to call home in Baltimore County then this guide should help you make an informed decision about which neighborhood best suits your needs. We've looked at housing types, costs, general environment, neighbors, quality of schools, and popular things to do so you can compare it against your personal wish list and set of priorities. Alex Keight is a frequent contributor to the PODS blog and has moved more than 20 times because she loves seeing new places.