Thinking of moving to Baltimore Maryland but not sure where to start? Or maybe you’re the cautious type who wants to know the ins and outs of the city before you decide if you’re going to relocate there?
Whether you’re already packing your bags while you’re thinking of relocating to Baltimore Maryland, or you’re simply exploring your options first, this article is for you!
But before we let you in on the juicy and valuable secrets about moving to Baltimore MD, let’s have a very brief introduction to the city so that you know the fundamentals.
You probably already know Baltimore for some of its attractions like the Baltimore Museum of Art, Inner Harbor, Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum, as well as the National Aquarium.
But let’s get to know the city better beyond its attractions.
Located on the east coast, Baltimore, aka Charm City, is the largest city in the state of Maryland in the U.S.
The state has plenty of waterways and coastlines on the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, and Baltimore has a long history as a major seaport. At the mouth of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor sits Fort McHenry, aka the birthplace of the U.S. national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner”.
OK, that’s it for a brief introduction. Let’s get right to the most valued secrets about moving to Baltimore, shall we?
First up, neighbourhoods.
1. Settle The Basics First: Your Ideal Baltimore Neighbourhood
If you only pay attention to one thing before choosing to relocate to Baltimore (or anywhere, really), let neighbourhoods be that one thing.
The topic of neighbourhoods is, without a doubt, of utmost importance when it comes to moving. Different neighbourhoods provide different housing options and amenities, and thus the lifestyle and expected expenses are likely to vary from neighbourhood to neighbourhood.
So bear these in mind when you are looking for an ideal neighbourhood to move into in Baltimore MD!
Federal Hill
Located south of Downtown Baltimore, Federal Hill is a popular neighbourhood with various housing options, including:
- luxury condos,
- historic brick rowhomes,
- new-construction townhomes, and
- apartments.
Homes in Federal Hill, Baltimore have a median price of about $290K and an average price of $369K. However, the price can be said to be justifiable when we take into account the amenities the neighbourhood provides.
Characterised by cobblestone sidewalks, historic homes and buildings, locally-owned shops and restaurants, as well as picturesque views of Inner Harbor, this neighbourhood appeals to many interests.
The best part is that Federal Hill is one of Baltimore’s most walkable neighbourhoods with a Walk Score of 96 out of 100, making it a “walker’s paradise”!
This means that you can literally
- walk from your home in Baltimore to shop at the quaint boutiques and Cross Street Market,
- then head on over to the American Visionary Art Museum (if you’re in the mood for some unusual exhibits),
- before spending some time to appreciate the views of Inner Harbor from the Federal Hill Park, and lastly,
- restaurant-hopping for dinner, dessert and drinks — all in one day and without a car!
Spending less time commuting means you get to experience the local streets and people first-hand!
Canton
In southeast Baltimore and on the other side of Patapsco River is Canton, a trendy harbourside neighbourhood that offers housings such as:
- traditional Baltimore rowhouse,
- new-construction townhomes,
- waterfront condos, and
- apartment buildings.
Slightly pricier than homes in Federal Hill, the median and average price of homes in Canton is $327K and $349K respectively.
Known for its streets of brick row homes, Canton is a family-friendly neighbourhood that gives off a modern and hip vibe.
In close proximity to residents of Canton are Patterson Park, Saint Casimir’s Park, Boston Street Pier Park, as well as Canton Waterfront Park, making it ideal for outdoor recreation and those who love and appreciate nature.
Additionally, many events and festivals are also held at Canton Waterfront Park such as WTMD’s First Thursdays, the city’s biggest free live music series, which takes place — yeah you guessed it — on the first Thursdays of every month!
WTMD is the name of a public radio station serving Baltimore, Maryland and Washington D.C., by the way.
On top of the First Thursdays series, Canton Waterfront Park also hosts annual food and drinks festivals! When you’re living in Baltimore Maryland, make sure you stay up to date about the latest events and festivals!
Hampden
If you’re more into an artsy and hip neighbourhood, then look no further as Hampden is the ideal neighbourhood for you!
Located in North Baltimore between the Jones Falls Expressway and Wyman Park, Hampden is a tight-knit neighbourhood where everyone knows each other, making it easy for newcomers like you (if you choose to relocate to Baltimore) to meet people and settle in!
Hampden offers a variety of housing options including:
- condominiums,
- rowhomes,
- detached homes, and
- apartment buildings.
The average and median prices of homes in Hampden are $279K and $301K respectively, making it more affordable for those with a tighter budget.
Despite more affordable housing options, residents of Hampden are not deprived of amenities like restaurants, bars, local shops, and festivals!
In fact, when it comes to festivals, Hampden is well known for its Hampdenfest and Honfest!
The former is an annual one-day festival which takes place on the 2nd or 3rd weekend of September which features art, music, cook-offs, toilet races (yes, you read that right!) and arts and crafts vendors.
Honfest, on the other hand, is an annual celebration in honour of the historic working women in Baltimore.
Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon is a lively neighbourhood located in Central Baltimore directly north of Downtown, perfect for those who appreciate the convenience, as well as history and culture.
Convenience because of its strategic location that is walkable and allows for easy commutes; history and culture because of the historical landmarks such as the original Washington Monument, the George Peabody Library and the Walters Art Museum.
Housing options you can find in Mount Vernon are:
- historic single-family Victorian row homes,
- carriage houses,
- condominiums, and
- high-rises.
You know the drill: we’ll always let you know the median and average prices of the homes.
But, this time around we’re in a little bit of a pickle, and we only have the average price of houses in Mount Vernon. However, you need to read this properly and not just skim past the numbers because it’s a tiny bit more complicated. Ready?
OK, so, according to RedFin.com at the time of writing this, the average price of homes in Mount Vernon, Baltimore is $432K.
IT MAY LOOK WAY TOO PRICEY BUT HOLD ON.
This huge number ($432K) is likely skewed by a couple of homes that are listing for AT LEAST $995K (yes, almost a million dollars). These are houses (more like mansions) with at least 7 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms so we believe that explains the sky-high prices right?
Excluding these mansions, the average price of the other (ordinary) homes is about $232K, on par with other neighbourhoods we’ve gone through above.
Isn’t that a sigh of relief? 🤭
2. Cost Of Living In Baltimore Maryland
We’re going to be honest here — the cost of living indices in Baltimore is, in general, higher than that of the national average in terms of housing, utilities, transportation and food. The good news is healthcare in Baltimore is lower than the national average!
But, if you’re thinking between moving to Baltimore and moving to other nearby cities like Philadelphia and especially Washington D.C., then Baltimore has got the upper hand in terms of a more affordable cost of living!
Considering consumer prices, rent prices, restaurant prices, groceries prices and local purchasing power, the cost of living in Baltimore is, on average, about 13.5% and 18.8% lower than that of Philadelphia PA and Washington D.C. respectively.
3. Is The Job Market In Baltimore Right For Your Career?
Technology is a booming industry in Baltimore’s economy.
Charm City ranks 15th among 50 U.S metro areas in terms of the growth rate of the industry and the number of tech professionals according to CBRE’s 2021 Scoring Tech Talent report. This is especially so in Downtown Baltimore, the city’s primary economic asset.
Other notable industries include:
- Healthcare and bioscience
- Defense contracting
- Financial services
- Sports
Major employers in Baltimore include Johns Hopkins University, Under Armour, M&T Bank, Exelon and FutureCare.
4. Education
Baltimore boasts 2 notable universities, Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and University of Maryland–Baltimore County (UMBC) which rank at #9 and #160 in national universities respectively.
To give you a better idea on which university to apply for based on which major you’re interested in, here are the most popular majors in each university:
Johns Hopkins University:
- Neuroscience;
- Public Health, General;
- Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology;
- Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering; and
- Chemical Engineering.
University of Maryland–Baltimore County:
- Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services;
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences;
- Psychology;
- Engineering; and
- Social Sciences.
With a whole range of courses offered by the top universities in the U.S., you’d certainly be able to find one to your liking!
5. Getting Around Baltimore Maryland (Traffic And Transportation)
Although Baltimore is not known for having an efficient public transport system, Charm City provides its residents with a variety of affordable ways to commute around the city. Under the Maryland Transport Administration (MTA) is BaltimoreLink which offers residents 3 local bus services:
- CityLink – color-coded, high-frequency routes that offer frequent, 24-hour service. Its route forms a downtown grid, and radiates out from the city on major streets.
- LocalLink – which operate on neighborhood streets between the CityLinks and form crosstown “rings”
- Express BusLink – offers limited-stop service from suburb-to-suburb, and suburb-to-downtown.
As these local bus services mostly bring people from the suburbs towards downtown Baltimore, Commuter Bus Services were introduced for the reverse — bringing people from central Baltimore outwards!
Additionally, you won’t have to worry about bringing your children to school. The School Services by BaltimoreLink ensures that all of the Baltimore City Public Schools that have transit service will continue to have transit service.
6. Crabs And Ravens: Know The Culture Before Moving To Baltimore Maryland
Moving into a new city can be an overwhelming experience. But, it helps to know beforehand what the community and culture are like so that you’d be more prepared for what’s to come in your first few weeks in the new city.
And so, we’ve put together the most important things you should know about the people and culture in Baltimore so that you know what to expect when you move in!
Food In Baltimore
If you’ve been reading up on Baltimore, we bet you would’ve come across this word multiple times: “crab”.
Crabs, and in particular blue crabs, are well-loved and highly-regarded in this city. Tourists and locals both flock to markets and restaurants to feast on these delicious and succulent crustaceans during the blue crab season!
When is the crab season, you say? We’ve got you, so take notes: the peak season for Maryland Blue Crabs is from April to the end of November.
But here’s a secret: If you want the biggest and heaviest blue crabs for your crab feast, then wait a little longer as they are typically harvested during the fall months from September to mid-November.
So before moving to Baltimore, make sure you know how to choose your crabs, and how to eat them as it’ll make it easier for you to fit in with your neighbours!
The Sports Scene In Baltimore: Ravens And More
If there’s one thing you need to know about the culture in Baltimore, is that it’s home to the Baltimore Ravens, a National Football League (NFL) team with an impressive track record!
It is one out of only 2 NFL teams with multiple Super Bowl appearances and no losses, and the Baltimore Ravens boasts 2 Super Bowl Championships, in years 2000 (XXXV), 2012 (XLVII).
It is no surprise that the Ravens are well-loved in Baltimore. Many offices have “Purple Fridays” to show support for the team, so make sure you have a purple top in your closet!
Slightly Northwest of Federal Hill sits Oriole Park on Camden Yards, a Major League Baseball ballpark home to the Baltimore Orioles, an American professional baseball team.
The park is a few blocks away from the birthplace of George Herman “Babe” Ruth, one of the greatest sports heroes in American culture and is considered by many to be the GOAT (that’s slang for “greatest of all time”) in baseball.
So when you move to Baltimore, make sure you’re aware of these iconic teams and names!
Conclusion About Moving To Baltimore
So there you have it! 6 most valued secrets about moving to Baltimore and what you should know if you’re thinking of relocating here! From the neighbourhood and economy to transportation and culture, these are the fundamentals to settle in like a true Baltimorean!
That being said, have you made up your mind yet? If you have, then Sanelo is ready to carry you through your relocation process by doing all the heavy lifting!
For more information about other cities in the area:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Moving To Baltimore Maryland
Is It Safe To Move To Baltimore? Which Neighbourhoods Should I Avoid?
Safety is an important factor in deciding which city to relocate to. Unfortunately, Baltimore is notorious for its significantly high crime rate.
However, like many cities known for their troubling crime rates, the key is to avoid dangerous neighbourhoods.
Here’s a list of neighbourhoods you should avoid:
- Grove Park
- Berea
- Greenmount East
- Madison-Eastend
- Greater Rosemont
- West Baltimore
- Cherry Hill
- Orangeville
- Monument Street Area
- Fairfield
How Is The Weather And Climate In Baltimore MD?
When you’re living in Baltimore MD, expect hot and humid summers at about 80.7 °F (27.1 °C), with frequent thunderstorms.
Winters in Baltimore are cool, though snowfall is more significant in the northern and western suburbs. So if you’re moving into neighbourhoods like Mount Washington or Howard Park, be prepared for at least 30 inches (76cm) of snow per winter!
Spring and autumn are warm, with spring being the wettest season of the year, so get ready your umbrellas!
How Much Does It Cost To Relocate To Baltimore If I Engage Sanelo’s Services?
There is no fixed cost for Sanelo’s relocation services because it depends on several factors like where you’re moving from, how many items you intend to bring, and so on.
But we understand that knowing an estimated cost beforehand is important for customers to avoid a shock at the end of the moving process.
As such, Sanelo provides a binding quote or a not-to-exceed estimate for your convenience:
How Early Should I Engage Sanelo For My Relocation Process?
Once you have a relocation date in mind, you should contact us as soon as possible so that we can settle your logistics in time for your move! Simply call us or email us and we will help you out! Remember, the earlier, the better!