Affectionately known as "Charm City," Baltimore beckons prospective homebuyers with its wealth of art, culture and history, intertwined with its maritime heritage.
There are over 250 distinct neighborhoods throughout the city, several designated as historic districts, all of which contribute to its appeal. The streets are lined with signature rowhouses, and the skyline prominently features a bustling district around Downtown Baltimore.
Maryland's most populous city is home to nearly 570,000 residents, with over 2.8 million in the broader Baltimore metropolitan area. It sits on the banks of the Patapsco River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. This brackish water helps create the perfect ecosystem for Baltimore’s famous blue crabs, an iconic regional seafood served in restaurants throughout the city.
Summers here are muggy and hot, reaching humidity levels of nearly 80%. These give way to crisp autumns and cold, rainy winters. Baltimore only experiences significant snowfall occasionally but can expect flurries in late winter and early spring, which can cause severe traffic disruptions.
Despite its considerable size, Baltimore inspires a fiery passion in its residents more typically associated with small-town America than a booming metropolis. “Baltimoreans are fiercely loyal to their city,” says Charles Billig, owner of A.J. Billig and Company and lifelong Baltimore resident, who has sold real estate in the city for 18 years. “It has its warts and scars, but there’s a lot of good here, as well. It can just take a little more work to find it sometimes. It’s a sticky city in that people who live here usually stay here, and if they move away, they tend to come back.”
One annual tradition that draws visitors from all over the city and state to the Hampden neighborhood is the Miracle on 34th Street, when residents go all-out decorating their three-story rowhouses with Christmas lights and open them for the public to explore.
Old West Baltimore is steeped in a significant African American legacy that includes legendary figures like crooner Cab Calloway, jazz singer Billie Holiday and Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States. Neighborhoods such as Little Italy near the Inner Harbor and Greektown on the east side, exhibit their residents' heritage through lively shops, eateries and festivals.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore is the oldest Catholic institution in the United States, established in 1789. The Baltimore Basilica, the seat of the archdiocese, was the first Catholic cathedral built in the country. Although the percentage of practicing Catholics has declined in the interim, 50% of adults still say that religion is very important in their lives today, according to a Pew Research poll.
As a waterfront city, Baltimore thrives as a vibrant urban hub. It boasts over 20 parks, striking architecture, major NFL and MLB sports teams and a myriad of cultural events. Additionally, the city has a robust literary scene, evident in its cafes, libraries and museums.
Charm City is also a well-regarded capital of higher education and of the healthcare industry in Maryland, with Johns Hopkins University and Hospital employing almost 45,000 people in the area. There are nearly 20 colleges within the city itself and even more just across the county line.
Downtown Baltimore is only a 10 minute drive for residents in Better Waverly.
Forest Park's great location makes it easy to enjoy all of Baltimore's attractions.
Celebrate the Hampden neighborhoods holiday tradition called the Miracle on 34th Street.
Celebrate the "Squeakness" at the Annual Pigtown Festival in Pigtown, Baltimore, Maryland.
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Expansive parks and outdoor festivals
Baltimore has over 4,000 acres of lush green spaces, with Druid Hill Park as a prominent feature. Spanning 745 acres, it holds the distinction of being one of the earliest large public parks in the United States and is among the three oldest parks in the country. It offers a myriad of amenities, including athletic fields, tennis courts and walking paths around Druid Lake. The Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens and the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore are also located on the grounds.
Various events occur at Druid Hill Park throughout the year, including the AFRAM festival, one of the largest African American festivals on the East Coast, typically coinciding with Juneteenth weekend. Additional festivities are the Charm City Lights show in December and Artscape, a three-day celebration of local artists and performers that usually takes place in either August or September.
Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park makes up around 1,200 acres of Baltimore’s green space by itself. This woodland park sits on the west side of the city and is the second largest of its kind in the United States. While the park has developed a reputation as a high-crime area, the city has dedicated significant resources to revitalizing its image through the installation of several municipal amenities such as the Cahil Recreation Center and the Carrie Murray Nature Center.
On the southeast side of the city, Patterson Park is threaded through by paved walkways leading to the swimming pool, the ice rink and several athletic fields. These are towered over by an observatory that residents have dubbed “The Pagoda.”
Canton Waterfront Park, in the Canton neighborhood, offers picturesque views of the city and stunning sunsets. Notable features include the Maryland Korean War Memorial and glimpses of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, which historically inspired the lyrics of the Star-Spangled Banner.
Come watch a game of baseball at the baseball field at Clifton Park in Baltimore, Maryland.
Relax on the benches and enjoy the green space at Rawlings Conservatory near Walbrook.
With events like Flicks From The Hill, locals can enjoy a free night of movies at Fed Hill.
Artscape is one of America's largest free outdoor art festivals in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Literary landmarks, cultural sites and the Inner Harbor
Baltimore stands out as a city that truly values the written word, evident in its dedicated literary culture. The George Peabody Library, located at the Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute, is a special collections library with awe-inspiring interior architecture. Featuring five tiers of ornamental cast-iron balconies leading to an elongated skylight 60 feet up, the library houses 300,000 volumes and hosts the In the Stacks Concert Series. The Peabody Institute is considered one of the top 10 music conservatories in the country.
This commitment to the arts extends to independent bookstores like Charm City Books and Everyone’s Place African Cultural Center. The city is dotted with literary landmarks, including the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s House and Gertrude Stein’s House. Literary-themed dining establishments include the Annabel Lee Tavern, a Poe-themed restaurant and the moody, bistro-style Bluebird Cocktail Room. Literary festivals such as the CityLit Festival further showcase this passion.
Art districts are plentiful in the city. The Bromo Tower Arts & Entertainment District spans 11 blocks along Howard Street. Highlandtown Arts & Entertainment, located on the southeast side of Baltimore, offers an eclectic vibe with First Friday Art Walks. Mount Vernon is home to the Walters Art Museum, which houses an extensive exhibition of ancient and modern artworks. Just up the road from the Walters, visitors can find the original Washington Monument.
The Inner Harbor serves as a central arts and culture hub as well, hosting The National Aquarium with its award-winning marine life exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, featuring a planetarium and one of the country’s largest IMAX theaters, provides science education on subjects from paleontology to physics. Baltimore’s World Trade Center, the world’s tallest pentagonal-shaped skyscraper, offers sweeping views of the city and the bay.
The Washington Monument is the heart of the Mount Vernon neighborhood.
Ancient art, Sculpture and more can be found in the Walters Art Museum in downtown Baltimore.
The National Aquarium has over 20,000 aquatic animals from more than 700 species.
Maryland Science Center is a great place to take the family for some weekend fun.
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A glimpse of Baltimore’s housing market
Baltimore's housing styles vary throughout the city. Two- and three-story brick rowhouses are hallmarks of the city's architecture and are often accompanied by modest backyards. These are most common toward downtown and the center of the city. Moving further out, colonials are prevalent, while a few outliers, such as American foursquares, farmhouses and Tudors offer more expansive living spaces in both front and backyards. New housing developments, particularly concentrated in West Baltimore and Southwest Baltimore, have been constructed regularly over the past few years.
Well-maintained homes in northern Baltimore communities like Glenham-Bedford and Morgan Park typically range from the low to mid $300,000s. Newly constructed or renovated homes, along with townhouses and condominiums near the harbor, can command prices in the mid $500,000s and beyond. Throughout the city, there are homes requiring varying degrees of attention and care. These properties present appealing options for investors and homebuyers eager to personalize their living space, with prices ranging from $25,000 to $100,000.
The BuyIntoBmore Fixed Pricing Program has also proved popular with investors and owners, as they can qualify to purchase specific city-owned vacant houses and lots for as little as one dollar. This program requires applicants to show proof of available funding for completion of renovations, with the minimum requirement set at $90,000.
The Stonewood-Penwood-Winston neighborhood is a rowhome community in Baltimore, MD.
Luxury condos and apartments line the streets of downtown Baltimore.
Tree lined streets are a common sight in Central Forest Park.
Traditional style homes in Central Forest Park are a timeless beauty in the area.
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Public schools and award-winning universities
Baltimore Public Schools serve a student population exceeding 75,000, spread across more than 150 schools and programs. This includes over 70 middle schools, more than 40 elementary schools and nearly 40 high schools. The school district has received a C-plus rating from Niche, with commendations for its diversity, robust offering of clubs and activities and strong sports programs.
There are nearly 20 colleges and universities in the city, including private institutions such as Notre Dame of Maryland University, Loyola University and the Maryland Institute College of Art. Established in 1876, Johns Hopkins University is America’s inaugural research university, with a prestigious list of alumni that includes film director Wes Craven and Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The university has earned over 30 Nobel prizes, boasts nearly 80 members in the National Academy of Medicine and has received eight National Medals of Science from U.S. presidents.
Public institutions in Baltimore include the University of Baltimore and the University of Maryland-Baltimore. Additionally, the list includes historically Black universities Morgan State University and Coppin State University.
Carver Vocational High School has a vibrant and diverse community of students and staff.
Frederick Douglass High School is a public school located in Baltimore MD.
Less than 4 miles from Cedmont, Morgan State University offers a variety of degree programs.
MICA is a nationally recognized art university in Bolton Hill.
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Major sports teams, live concerts and diverse dining
Baltimore offers a wealth of entertainment, prominently featuring their pair of professional sports teams. “People here are pumped about the Orioles and the Ravens,” Billig says. “Downtown has always been crowded on game days, but lately it’s been even crazier since both of them are good.”
The Orioles play out of their storied home arena, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, commonly known as just Camden Yards. This 85-acre stadium can accommodate over 45,000 spectators.
The Pigtown neighborhood in the shadow of the stadium holds historical significance as the birthplace and early career setting of baseball icon George Herman "Babe" Ruth, who played one season with the Orioles.
Adjacent to Camden Yards is M&T Bank Stadium, the home field of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, which has a seating capacity exceeding 71,000.
CFG Bank Arena, formerly known as Royal Farms Arena, is located downtown and serves as a multipurpose venue, hosting major shows by artists like Janet Jackson and Pearl Jam. It also features events like Disney on Ice and the Jurassic World Live Tour, accommodating over 14,000 people. Additionally, Gervonta "Tank" Davis, a revered professional boxer who hails from West Baltimore, retained his undefeated world championship title at CFG.
The Inner Harbor boasts numerous entertainment establishments, including concert venues like Power Plant Live! and Pier Six Pavilion. Indulging in dining experiences along the harbor walk reveals many seafood restaurants celebrated for their crabs, oysters and craft beer.
Baltimore’s culinary scene mirrors its diverse population, with areas like Little Italy, Greektown and Highlandtown offering authentic cultural restaurants. The public market system is a trademark of Charm City. Six such markets currently operate in different neighborhoods around town, offering everything from seafood and sandwiches to sweets, all with local flair. “I like that Baltimore has been resistant to the ubiquitousness of other towns,” Billig says. “In other places, you’ll find the same chains, but here we really lean on the local.”
Different shopping districts cater to a range of preferences. Hampden is known for its quirky locally owned boutiques, the Patapsco Flea Market is a Cherry Hill destination for pre-loved finds and Towson Town Center houses high-end fashion shops. Fells Point is home to trendy record shops, upstart eateries and live music pubs, and Canton is a revitalized bayside community known for cozy coffee shops, popular bars and vibrant nightlife.
M&T Stadium is never far when you live in Poppleton.
Camden Yards is a quick walk from the Inner Harbor, and is home to the Baltimore Orioles.
Enjoy seasonal events and live performances at the Power Plant Live in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Inner Harbor is a great spot to chill and have some fun for any local or tourist.
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Traveling around Baltimore and beyond
The Maryland Department of Transportation services the city with major bus routes and metro train stops. This includes the free downtown bus system known as the Charm City Circulator, which makes stops approximately every 15 minutes along four main routes.
Alongside the bus system, Metro SubwayLink covers downtown Baltimore and its northwestern suburbs, while the Light RailLink extends to the northern and southern suburbs and to Baltimore/Washington International Airport.
For convenient commuting, the Amtrak or the MARC Train Penn Line provides a reliable connection to Washington, D.C. Situated in the southwest suburbs is the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, most often called BWI by locals. This airport offers direct rail service to Washington, D.C. and serves over 20 million passengers. With over 30 airlines, including top carriers like Southwest, Delta, American and United, BWI provides both international and domestic nonstop flights.
Crime ratings and future developments
According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, Baltimore's violent crime rate in 2023 was significantly higher than the state or national average. The property crime rate falls in line with the nationwide average. In January 2025, the Baltimore Police Department reported that overall arrests were up by 14% but that violent crime rates have dropped.
The city is simultaneously embracing new development projects like The Baltimore Peninsula, which aim to bolster its appeal. This revitalized area hosts events like the Charm City Bluegrass Festival and Reggae Rise Up Maryland Festival. The site's transformation includes additional plans for 1.1 million square feet of office space, shops and mixed-income housing.
Efforts are also underway to reconstruct the Pimlico Racetrack, which has hosted the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, since October 1870. The project, which will transform the racetrack into an events venue, is expected to increase community engagement with it and enhance its status as one of the three largest venues in American horseracing.
As Baltimore continues to evolve with these new projects, it remains fervently committed to its unique identity. Charm City is poised for a future that builds dynamic elements on top of its existing strengths.
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