Thinking about buying a home in Baltimore? Charm City is a scenic, historic city with a thriving real estate market and homes consistently gaining value over time. Check out these five best Baltimore neighborhoods to buy a home!
Canton
Photo via @thesimonegroup
- Home Price: $259,906 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 50% of Baltimore neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families
Nestled against the Patapsco River harbor, Canton is a quaint, trendy place to buy a home in Baltimore. The real estate market in this unique Baltimore neighborhood is perfect for homebuyers seeking historical properties without sacrificing access to modern city living. Homes for sale in Canton mostly consist of brick rowhouses, but you’ll also find Contemporary condos along the river. In fact, active young professionals and families, in particular, will enjoy the neighborhood’s bustling waterfront shopping areas and community events like the Canton Spring Festival. In addition to waterfront views, delicious seafood, and a variety of things to do, Canton also boasts practical amenities, including the presence of great Baltimore schools such as Hampstead Hill Academy.
Things to Do in Canton
Shop fresh local produce or try food from local vendors every Saturday from January through April at the Canton Waterfront Farmers Market. Go fishing off the pier, visit the Korean War Memorial, or take a walk on the trail at Canton Waterfront Park. See more than 20 unique art exhibitions year-round or attend a live music performance at Creative Alliance. Gather with friends to shop, dine at a variety of eateries like the delicious HALFSMOKE, or enjoy community events like summer concerts at The Can Company. Have a brunch of Chesapeake Benedict or Crab & Corn Omelette at The Chasseur. Come on board for one of the most unique dining experiences in Baltimore and savor delicious seafood like Fish Tacos or Captain’s Crab Cake Sandwich from the city’s renowned boat-shaped restaurant, Captain James Seafood Palace. Split a Canton Vegelicious Pizza, have a Hamburger Sub to yourself, or order desserts like Oreo Cheesecake and Baklava from the late-night menu from midnight to 2 a.m. at Canton Pizza and Deli. Or chow down on some Vietnamese Meatballs, Island Salmon, or Pad Thai, and pair your meal with discounted beer, wine, and cocktails during Happy Hour at of Love & Regret.
Federal Hill
Photo via @emilyinbaltimore
- Home Price: $302,082 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 44% of Baltimore neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Federal Hill has a fun, urban feel and is one of the best places to buy a home in Baltimore for singles looking to live near the action, and young professionals seeking short commute times. Great public transit options, including BaltimoreLink bus lines, make it easy to travel throughout the city. This Charm City neighborhood is less than a mile south of Downtown Baltimore, where additional jobs and things to do await, and is a more affordable alternative for homebuyers moving to the area. However, there are plenty of fun things to do within Federal Hill itself, like grabbing drinks or a bite to eat from one of the merchants at Cross Street Market. Homes for sale in Federal Hill mostly consist of historic rowhouses, some with updated features like rooftop patios and covered decks!
Things to Do in Federal Hill
Shoot some hoops on the basketball court, see Civil War-era cannons, and enjoy views of the Inner Harbor at Federal Hill Park. Get tickets to see remarkable sculptures, paintings, and multi-media pieces in permanent collections like Bling Universe, or tour rotating exhibits at the American Visionary Art Museum. Shop rare, used, and new books, or check out staff picks at The Book Escape. Share Mozzarella Caprese to start your meal or have authentic Italian dishes like Chicken Cacciatore or Veal Piccata at Brendali Italian Ristorante. Pick and choose from a vast sushi menu with offerings like Ika Sashimi, Tuna Roll, and Lobster King Roll at Matsuri Restaurant. Get your soul food fix with dishes like Catfish Nuggets, the Sweet Peaz Po Boy, or Slow Baked Turkey Wings from Sweet Peaz Southern Kitchen. Eat your fill of seafood like Shrimp & Grits, Blackened Salmon, or Cajun Catfish from Nola Seafood & Spirits. Or hit the dance floor and enjoy live music and delicious drinks like the See Ya Never Boilmaker or Flying Dog Fruit Punch Sour at PALM Baltimore.
Hampden
Photo via @carolinekuntz_homes
- Home Price: $163,077 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 59% of Baltimore neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Colorful properties and a quirky vibe make Hampden an attractive, unique place to buy a home in Baltimore. Homebuyers moving to this Baltimore neighborhood can choose from a variety of affordable townhomes and rowhouses, and will enjoy the area’s abundant amenities and recreation opportunities, like the fun-filled Hamdenfest. So though Hampden is excellent for retirees and established families, this Baltimore neighborhood is ideal for young families and recent graduates looking to settle down in a budget-friendly area. Indie galleries and trendy cocktail bars attract an artsy crowd, while families moving to the area can appreciate the presence of high-quality schools like Hampden Elementary School and Robert Poole Building.
Things to Do in Hampden
Drop into the halfpipe or practice your kickflips at Skatepark of Baltimore. Buy books, gifts, and more, or check out the John Waters Collection at Atomic Books. Shop casual apparel, accessories, and other unique items from Hunting Ground. Browse unique furniture and home goods, or sip on a latte in the coffee shop at good neighbor. Try the Scone Flight, Wicked Egg Sandwich, or Steak & Eggs for brunch at Wicked Sisters. Get your pasta fix with plates like Blackened Salmon Pasta, Jamaican Rasta Pasta, or Penne Duo Blast Pasta at Chef BobbyD. Savor mouthwatering New American eats from Scallops Deluxe to Grilled Bronzini at The Food Market. Indulge in delicious Japanese fare like Gyoza, Scallop Tempura, or a Yellowtail Roll at Yama Sushi Bar. Or crack open a Phantom Scream Double IPA, Faustinator, or any of the other draft beers at Nepenthe Brewing Co.
Locust Point
Photo via @themattwybleteam
- Home Price: $239,675 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 83% of Baltimore neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families
Locust Point is a peninsula neighborhood in Southern Baltimore with a quiet yet urban feel and real estate market full of striking brick townhomes and rowhouses. Many Locust Point rowhouses are some of the oldest properties in Baltimore, but the neighborhood’s bars, shops, and restaurants help balance the historical vibe with modern conveniences. Other historic features of the neighborhood include the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail and the Domino Sugar Refinery, which provides many jobs in the area and whose massive neon sign is a local landmark. In addition to a rich history, homebuyers settling down in Locust Point will be glad to know that properties there have steadily grown in value over time, which gives homeowners a chance to capitalize on their investment if they choose to sell in the future. This, along with the presence of high-quality neighborhood schools like Francis Scott Key Elementary Middle School, make buying a home in Locust Point a great option for families living in Baltimore.
Things to Do in Locust Point
Bring your four-legged friend to play and run free at Locust Point Dog Park in Latrobe Park. Visit the Battle of Baltimore site—which inspired Francis Scott Key to write the lyrics to America’s national anthem—and sign your kids up for educational events at Fort McHenry. Learn about Baltimore’s diverse roots and see stories of local immigrants who helped shape the city at the Baltimore Immigration Museum. Taste a variety of wines on the menu each week at Serenity Wine Cafe. Enjoy some of the best seafood in Baltimore, with menu staples like Lobster Tail and Fish & Chips at Locust Point Steamers. Spice things up with the Chicken Curry, Shrimp Vindaloo, or other Himalayan entrees from The Himalayan House. Turn up the heat with Peppa Shrimp, Jerk Salmon, or a Peppa Flame Jerk Burger at Peppa Flame. Or savor delicious Greek dishes like Sliced Gyro, Grilled Souvlaki Skewers, or Veggie Dolmades from Samos Greek Island Grill.
Mount Vernon
Photo via @andrew_cosentino
- Home Price: $127,800 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 37% of Baltimore neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families
In addition to being one of the best places to buy a home in Baltimore, Mount Vernon is also the cultural and historic center of Charm City. This historic aesthetic is continued within the Mount Vernon real estate market, consisting mostly of brick rowhouses. This Baltimore neighborhood is also known for the beautiful saucer magnolia trees of Mount Vernon Place. Boasting everything from historic sites and hip bars to amenities like the George Peabody Library, there’s something for homebuyers of all walks of life in the Mount Vernon neighborhood. Major roadways like MD-2, Jone Falls Expy, and Franklin-Mulberry Expy make this a great place to buy a home for commuting young professionals, while top-notch schools like The Loyola School and St. Ignatius Loyola Academy are a major draw for families.
Things to Do in Mount Vernon
Experience live performances, including concerts from artists like Be Steadwell and Darius Christian, plays, and more, at Baltimore Center Stage. Marvel at exhibitions and installations like Queering the Collection: Gender Fluidity and Buddhist Deities, and Activating the Renaissance, a six-artist exhibit exploring the connection between Contemporary art and the Renaissance and Baroque periods, at The Walters Art Museum. Listen to jazz, soul, and other live musicians play at Eubie Live! or learn about visual and performing arts through other events and exhibits at the Eubie Blake Cultural Center. See America’s first monument dedicated to George Washington, the Baltimore Washington Monument, at Mount Vernon Place Conservancy. Sample Asian fusion cuisine like a Spicy Tuna Bowl, Aged Tofu Bowl, or Hibachi Salmon Bowl at Gallery Grill & Poke House. Try unique Greek, Italian, and American entrees like a Greek Delight Pizza, Blue Cheese Burger, or Corned Beef Reuben at Never On Sunday. Sip cocktails like the Thai Tea Milk Punch and Sundance Kid during Happy Hour around the communal table at Sugarvale. Or dine on elevated dinner options like Vegetable Stir-Fry, Lamb Tagine, or Tunisian Salad at Cafe Fili.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
