North Baltimore blends farmland with commuter convenience
In the 1870s, a railroad ran from Maryland to Ohio, reaching a rural community known as North Baltimore. About 35 miles south of Toledo, residents have direct access to Interstate 75, providing an easy commute to nearby cities. With a traditional Main Street center and historic homes, North Baltimore offers a quintessential small-town atmosphere surrounded by farmland in Northwest Ohio. "North Baltimore is a small town where church and family are important," says Christina Corron, an area local and real estate agent at Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Koehler Realty. "Outside of town, there's farmland and fields of corn. It has a country feel to it."
Renovated 1800s homes and DIY gardens
Houses rest on spacious lawns with young trees and DIY gardens. North Baltimore features historic Craftsman and ranch-style homes, many dating back to the late 1800s. Prices range from $60,000 to $260,000, and homes over 1,500 square feet typically exceed $150,000. "You don't have a lot of new builds, but there is a lot of home renovations happening," Corron says. "Even if it's from the 1800s, they've gone down to the studs to rebuild it."
All three Van Buren schools earn B-plus Niche grades
Van Buren Elementary School offers STEM-focused classes and resources to support student literacy. Van Buren Middle School features extracurricular “exploratory mods” for students to learn about technology, health and physical education. Van Buren High School offers a gifted program, and students can graduate with the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy. All three schools receive B-plus grades from Niche.
Main Street with pizza and pub-style restaurants
North Baltimore has a downtown area with 20th-century brick brownstones, featuring several local pizzerias. Mak & Ali's Pizza is a well-established, family-owned eatery that has served Italian dishes and subs for over 20 years. Residents can also get a table at the Whistle Stop Pizza Pub & Grill, which serves American food in a sports bar environment with neon signs. Downtown is home to Virginia Motion Pictures, a movie theater with arcade games and family-friendly movies. The community's grocery store is Great Scot. There is also a Walmart Supercenter and more retail in Findlay, about 13 miles south.
Golf course and hiking the Slippery Elm Trail
Birch Run Golf Club features an 18-hole golf course and a clubhouse. The Slippery Elm Trail is a 13-mile out-and-back paved trail ending in Bowling Green. Van Buren State Park is a 300-acre woodland green space with a disc golf course, campgrounds and 14 miles of trails.
Easy access to I-75 and nearby cities
Because North Baltimore does not have a public bus system, most residents use personal automobiles to reach the surrounding cities. "North Baltimore is conveniently located to Findlay and the interstate," Corron says. "You can get a lower price if you're willing to drive the 10 minutes to Findlay." Within 10 minutes, you can get wherever you want to go. Findlay is about 13 miles south on Interstate 75, while Toledo is approximately 35 miles north. The Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport is roughly 40 miles north, with passenger flights to cities like Orlando and Tampa.
