Moving to Baltimore? With rich historical roots, great amenities, and affordable housing, Charm City has a lot to offer—in fact, it’s one of the most affordable places to live on the East Coast. If you’re moving to Baltimore, here are five safe, affordable neighborhoods to consider!
Inner Harbor
![Glass and metal high-rise apartment in Inner Harbor Baltimore](https://www.extraspace.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/414lightst-1024x1022.jpeg)
Photo via @414lightst
- Home price: $213,683 median purchase price; $1,288 median monthly rent
- Crime rate: Safer than 91% of Baltimore Neighborhoods
- Perfect for: Singles, young professionals
Situated just five minutes from Downtown Baltimore, Inner Harbor is home to many popular attractions and restaurants. This neighborhood’s close proximity to the water means residents can enjoy outdoor recreation alongside more urban amenities, making it an excellent choice for active lifestyles. Public transit is highly accessible in this safe Baltimore neighborhood, with several Charm City Circulator routes, bus stops, and light rail stations close by. This is ideal for commuting young professionals, as well as singles looking for things to do in Baltimore on the weekends. Those moving to Inner Harbor can find housing options consisting mostly of apartment-style rentals and homes for purchase in sleek apartment towers and affordable modern condos.
Things to Do in Inner Harbor
See fossils, gaze up at the stars in the planetarium, or check out the IMAX theatre at the Maryland Science Center. Climb aboard real military vessels like the USS Constellation for a tour at Historic Ships in Baltimore. Play a game of beach volleyball or join a league at Baltimore Beach. Experience a breathtaking, sky-high view of the city from the Top of the World Observation Deck. Get fresh seafood like Twin Lobster Tails or a Baltimore Fish Fry while you enjoy waterfront views at Rusty Scupper. Slurp down a bowl of Classic Shoyu or Chicken Paitan at Ramen Utsuke. Order Irish-inspired food like Guinness BBQ Pork and Shepherd’s Pie at Tir Na Nog Irish Bar & Grill. Or head to nautical-designed Blackwall Hitch for elevated dishes like Grilled Swordfish or Seared Scallops.
Locust Point
![Apartment complex with brick face and tree in front in the Locust Point neighborhood](https://www.extraspace.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/homefusionrealtors-1024x684.jpeg)
Photo via @homefusionrealtors
- Home Price: $239,675 median purchase price; $1,939 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 83% of Baltimore neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families
Located in the Patapsco River, Locust Point was once the harbor entryway for Polish, Irish, and Italian American immigrants, giving this area a vibrant multi-cultural feel. This historic Charm City neighborhood is also home to Fort McHenry, where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write The Star-Spangled Banner. As for modern conveniences, Locust Point has a variety of restaurants, coffee houses, and bars, so people moving to this Baltimore neighborhood will always have plenty of things to do. Commuting is easy in this affordable East Coast neighborhood, whether by bus or water taxi. Homes for sale in Locust Point range from rowhouses to condos, and more. Also, parents living in Locust Point can send their kids to local schools like Francis Scott Key Elementary School.
Things to Do in Locust Point
Experience a piece of American history first-hand and take a self-guided tour of the fort or stroll through the park at Fort McHenry. Play a game of tennis or give your four-legged friends some fresh air at the dog park at Latrobe Park. See everything from Atlantic bottlenose dolphins to zebra sharks at the National Aquarium. Learn about the stories of immigrants from around the world through authentic letters on display at the Baltimore Immigration Museum. Order a Santiago Wrap or Huevos Rancheros from the All-Day Brunch menu at Little Havanas. Get a plate of Chicken Biryani, Tandoor Shrimp, or other delicious Indian food at the Himalayan House. Visit the tasting room at Diamondback Brewing to try craft beers like a Maple Thief oatmeal stout or Resplendent stout. Or fill up on a Samos Platter made with your choice of protein at Samos Greek Island Grill.
Mount Washington
![White home on green lawn and landscaping in](https://www.extraspace.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/historichomesofbaltimore-819x1024.jpeg)
Photo via @historichomesofbaltimore
- Home Price: $219,100 median purchase price; $839 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 80% of Baltimore neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Located at the northwestern edge of the city, Mount Washington is one of the safest Baltimore neighborhoods. With bountiful green space from expansive Ivan Luckman Memorial Park and more, Mount Washington is also full of family-friendly activities for people moving to Baltimore with kids. Neighborhood parents will love the presence of the Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, as well as schools like The Mount Washington School and nearby Summit Park Elementary School. The friendly, quiet vibe gives Mount Washington a country feel while still having a city zip code. Home styles in Mount Washington range from Colonial and Tudor homes to Craftsman ranches, so there’s something for everyone living in this cozy Charm City neighborhood.
Things to Do in Mount Washington
Enjoy breathtaking views of a pond, waterfall, plant life, and more along the 250-yard trail at the Mt. Washington Arboretum. Get a membership and cool off in the summer with a dip in the pool at the Meadowbrook Swim Club. Browse books for sale or attend events like author appearances and poetry readings at The Ivy Bookshop. Take a pottery class, explore ceramic art in the gallery space, or attend art shows and other events at Baltimore Clayworks. Sign your kids up for Little League at Roland Park. Get a table at Ethel’s Creole Kitchen and order up some Jambalaya or Maryland Crab Cakes. Make a reservation and savor Crispy Soy Glazed Wild Caught Salmon or Chesapeake Rockfish at Mt Washington Tavern. Or chow down on Edamame, Chicken Tempura, or one of the many sushi rolls available at Chiyo Sushi.
Riverside
![Brick rowhouse in Riverside, Baltimore](https://www.extraspace.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/suregrouprealestate.jpeg)
Photo via @suregrouprealestate
- Home Price: $257,315 median purchase price; $1,884 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 93% of Baltimore neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles and young professionals
Riverside is prized for being a safe, affordable place to live near the heart of Downtown Baltimore. Row houses and apartment living allow residents to live close to the action, with plenty of restaurants and things to do right outside their door. This neighborhood in Baltimore is still quiet and peaceful, however, compared to the more constant hustle-and-bustle of downtown. Riverside is highly walkable, and it has easy access to the Northwest Harbor as well as major roadways like I-95 and Cal Ripken Way—making it easy to travel around the neighborhood for both recreation and work. That said, if you work the MTA Maryland Commuter Rail is the perfect solution for quick commutes throughout the rest of Charm City.
Things to Do in Riverside
Purchase fresh-cut flowers, locally-grown produce, sweet treats, and more at the BMI Farmers’ Market. Take a dip in the pool, enjoy a picnic in the pavilion, or walk down a trail at Leone-Riverside Park. Engage with the interactive exhibits focused on the city’s manufacturing roots at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. Tour Sagamore Spirit Distillery to learn about the history of the grounds and to sip on distilled spirits, including whiskey and rye. Have a waterfront dining experience with delicious entrees like Butcher’s Hill Cheesesteak or a Cheese Pizza at Di Pasquale’s Harborview. Browse the menu and order authentic Italian favorites like Pesce Spada or Gnocchi al Telefonso at Limoncello Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar—and don’t forget to sample the Coravin Wine menu! Or sink your teeth into filling plates like Cheeseburger Egg Rolls or a Fat Boy Fried Chicken Sandwich at Riverside Taphouse.
Roland Park
![Red brick and white-siding house against a sunset background](https://www.extraspace.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/beatrizchevez.re_-1024x1024.jpeg)
Photo via @beatrizchevez.re
- Home Price: $314,367 median purchase price; $1,064 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 96% of Baltimore neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
An historic North Baltimore neighborhood, Roland Park has the honor of being the first planned suburb community in the U.S. Today, fantastic restaurants, retail shops, and a close-knit community make Roland Park a great spot to call home for anyone looking to buy a home in Baltimore. Houses for sale range from historical late-Victorian properties to more modern Craftsman-style homes, with a variety of other options in between. The presence of the well-performing Roland Park Elementary School, as well as a number of private schools nearby like the Waldorf School of Baltimore, make this neighborhood perfect for Baltimore families with young children. Meanwhile, public transit is easy to access with light rail and bus stations nearby, which makes Roland Park an ideal Baltimore neighborhood for commuting young professionals, as well.
Things to Do in Roland Park
Tee off at one of the best courses in the nation, at Baltimore Country Club’s The Five Farms Golf Course. Attend make-and-take crafting events like a build-your-own board game night, or check out books for the whole family to enjoy at the Roland Park Branch of the Enoch Pratt Library. Enjoy more than 200 acres of gorgeous gardens and towering trees in the natural oasis of Clyburn Arboretum. Share a round of Miss Mimosas with friends and order a plate of Chicken n’ Cheddar Green Onion Waffles for brunch at Miss Shirley’s Cafe. Try the Salade De Coeur De Palmier and Black Forest Gateau at Petit Louis Bistro. Get delicious Indian dishes like Vegetable Korma and Chicken Tikka Masala at the family-owned Namaste Baltimore. Or heat things up with a plate of hot wings from Belvedere Towers Cafe.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes