Thinking about moving to Baltimore? Charm City has many fantastic suburbs that offer family-friendly amenities, amazing restaurants, and quality schools. Consider settling down in one of these five Baltimore suburbs!
Bel Air
Photo via @maryjonesteam
- Home Price: $241,700 median purchase price; $1,110 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 62% of Maryland cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Located about 45 minutes away from Baltimore, Bel Air is a quiet suburb that offers the perfect mix of rural and city life! This Baltimore suburb has a downtown area with its own Arts & Entertainment District where residents can enjoy art galleries, dance performances, festivals, and cultural events. Bel Air residents don’t just support the arts, but local events, too, like the Bel Air Kite Festival and Independence Day Parade! History sprawls across the suburb with buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, but the impressive architecture is also found in the area’s Colonial-style homes and spacious brick ranches. Whether you choose an older house or a modern townhome, Bel Air offers affordable real estate in the Baltimore metro!
Things to Do in Bel Air
Take a jog, go for a walk, or embark on a family bike ride on the three-mile MA & PA Heritage Trail. Visit Rockfield Manor for fun annual events like an Easter egg hunt, the Rock & Blues Festival, and Wine Festival. Attend historical lectures like The Life of Harvey Ladew and Meet Thomas Hays at the Hays House Museum. Learn more about prehistoric Native American culture at The Ice House Museum located at the Liriodendron Mansion. See various sculptures, murals, and pieces of public art by taking a self-guided Art Walk through Downtown Bel Air. Check out the MD State BBQ Bash, a barbecue-themed street festival featuring over 50 teams who compete for the Maryland State BBQ Championship. Order a Blueberry Frost White Tea, Cream Tea Scone, or Windsor Salad at Tea for Two. Grab a Stuffed Chicken Parm Pizza, a Pizza Steak Sub, or a Veggie Calzone at Buontempo Brothers Pizza. Or try tap beers like a Blue Eyed Blonde or Carpe Diem at Independent Brewing Company.
Columbia
Photo via @suresalesgroup
- Home Price: $364,900 median purchase price; $1,604 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 47% of Maryland cities
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Wanting to live in a larger Baltimore suburb? Columbia may be the place for you! This vibrant suburb has access to beautiful parks, theaters, and restaurants—and even more entertainment like concerts, shopping, community events, and festivals can be found in Downtown Columbia or the Merriweather District. Plus, Columbia’s southern-most border is about halfway between Baltimore and Washington, DC, which allows for even more things to do. As for its housing, there’s a wide range of options like traditional single-family homes, townhomes, and ranches. Families can find great Columbia schools like Atholton Elementary School and Columbia Academy, and students looking for higher-education opportunities can attend Howard Community College and Johns Hopkins University.
Things to Do in Columbia
Check out exhibits like Life of the Forest or test out your scientific skills in the Discovery Room at Robinson Nature Center. Take a walk around the lake or have a picnic with the family at Wilde Lake Park. Attend a concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion where popular musicians like Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, and James Taylor have performed. Catch an outdoor showing like Wonder Woman or Godzilla Vs. Kong at the Lakefront Summer Festival. Shop from over 200 stores like Macy’s, Nordstrom, or Anthropologie at The Mall in Columbia. Visit Toby’s Dinner Theatre to enjoy a meal while watching performances like Elf the Musical, Godspell, or Spamalot. Start off your morning with a House Bloody Mary and Eggs Benedict at Iron Bridge Wine Company. Treat your tastebuds to Greek dishes like Seafood Pasta, a Greek Salad, or Lamb Chops at Xenia. Or play board games and try new dishes from the food trucks at Black Flag Brewing Company.
Ellicott City
Photo via @boblucidoteam
- Home Price: $515,500 median purchase price; $1,582 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 70% of Maryland cities
- Perfect For: Families, retirees
As the top place to live in the Baltimore area, Ellicott City is an excellent choice for those looking seeking a family-friendly community! You can find plenty of things to do on Main Street like cafes, shops, and festivals like the Main Street Music Fest. A visit to Old Ellicott City can show you a glimpse of the suburb’s history, as the district is filled with historical sites like Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station, art galleries, vintage boutiques, and restaurants. Beyond its great amenities, there are brick ranches, modern townhomes, and Colonial houses to buy or rent, and families can can choose from the many top-ranked schools in this Baltimore suburb.
Things to Do in Ellicott City
Let the kids explore the Kids Zone, or take a real train ride at the B&O Ellicott City Station Museum. Go kayaking, swimming, or hiking at scenic Patapsco Valley State Park. Attend events like the Ellicott Silly Comedy Festival at the Museum of Howard County History. Catch a summer movie night with friends while wine-tasting at The Wine Bin. Find women’s clothing, jewelry, and home decor at Sweet Elizabeth Jane boutique. Wake up with a Cappuccino, Dirty Chai Latte, or Brewed Coffee at Little Market Cafe. Head to Alexandra’s American Fusion for brunch, where you can try Cinnamon French Toast or a Western Omelet. Fill up on a Boar to be Wild Pizza or Portabella Sandwich at Manor Hill Tavern. Or enjoy live music while sipping on draft beers like a Schlafly Summer Lager or Maine Peeper Pale Ale at The Judge’s Bench.
Lutherville-Timonium
Photo via @hghomegroup
- Home Price: $332,600 median purchase price; $1,201 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 53% of Maryland cities
- Perfect For: Families, retirees
Known for its tree-lined streets and Victorian architecture, Lutherville-Timonium is a great Baltimore suburb to call home! You can find housing options ranging from spacious single-family homes to modern brick ranches and Colonial houses in this Charm City suburb. Lutherville-Timonium is a great place to raise a family, thanks to highly-rated schools nearby like Timonium Elementary School, Ridgely Middle School, and Dulaney High School. Residents of Lutherville can also look forward to attending fun annual events like the late-summer Maryland State Fair, which has professional horse races and a variety of vendors. In addition, there are tons of things to do at Lutherville’s golf courses, cultural museums, trendy nightlife spots, and more!
Things to Do in Lutherville-Timonium
Learn more about Baltimore’s rich history and agricultural heritage at the Historical Society of Baltimore County. Head to the Fire Museum of Maryland to check out exhibits like the Great 1904 Fire or Rare Prints Gallery. Attend stand-up comedy shows by comedians like Jared Freid, Dan Soder, and Jackie Fabulous at Magooby’s Joke House. Play a round of golf while enjoying great views of the Loch Raven Reservoir at Pine Ridge Golf Course. Challenge your friends to a game of basketball at Orchard Hills Park. Indulge in seafood favorites like Calamari, Deep Sea Scallops, or Chesapeake Rockfish at BlueStone. Fill up on Shrimp Tacos, or Pork Rib Eye at The Peppermill. Attend Wine Down Wednesday or Trivia Thursday at An Poitin Stil Irish pub. Or catch live performances by Riverside Shakedown or the Carlos Cubas Band at Hightopps Backstage Grille.
Towson
Photo via @cheryl.deluca_realtor
- Home Price: $334,500 median purchase price; $1,337 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 36% of Maryland cities
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Enjoy a growing town in one of Baltimore’s best suburbs—Towson! This northern Baltimore area has a suburban feel with an escape from city life and offers many housing options like Colonial-style homes, ranches, and townhomes. Families can find top-rated Towson schools like West Towson Elementary and Towson High, while students and young professionals have access to higher education nearby at Towson University. Residents can find shops and restaurants at the Towson Town Center, as well as fun events in Towson like the Towsontown Spring Festival that has a carnival, beer garden, and food trucks.
Things to Do in Towson
Take your dog out to Paw Point community dog park to play and exercise. Stroll through Olympian Park in Downtown Towson to see statues and plaques recognizing Baltimore County Olympic and Para Olympic medal winners. Immerse yourself in Asian culture by checking out the art gallery or Asia North 2021 Exhibition at Asian Arts & Culture Center. Go to the Hampton National Historic Site, where you can learn more about Georgian architecture in America. Watch the Towson Tigers play a game of football or lacrosse while tailgating at Johnny Unitas Stadium. Enjoy a Sublime Smoothie, Ginger Boost Juice, or Acai Bowl from Plantbar. Chow down on dishes like Crab Nachos or Garlic Shrimp at Nacho Mama’s. Get your fix of Korean BBQ at Maimura, where you can try Premium Beef Brisket, Korean Style Beef Ribs, or Pork Chops. Or enjoy a night out on the town and try drinks like a Cacti Seltzer or Grapefruit Moscow Mule at Charles Village Pub & Patio.
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Suburb statistics from AreaVibes
