Baltimore Apartments for Rent

At about 45 minutes by rail from Washington DC, Baltimore has become an attractive choice for those working in the nation’s capitol. It’s not just a DC suburb, Baltimore is very much its own city. Baltimore played an important role in the American Revolution – the harbor town has been an important trade hub since the 1700s. That makes it a city with rich character – it was once home to writer Edgar Allen Poe and singer Billie Holiday. The urban renewal of the late 70s brought new attractions – stadiums, museums, and office buildings to the Inner Harbor; it’s now home to financial services company T. Rowe Price and hardware giant Black and Decker.

Baltimore to DC commuters take the MARC (Maryland Area Regional Commuter) train between the two cities. The Acela Express also runs down to DC – and north to Philadelphia. A number of bus lines that make the run including Greyhound, MTA (Maryland Transit Authority), and Megabus.

The MTA operates light rail that serves BWI Marshall Airport. A subway line runs between Johns Hopkins Hospital and Owings Mills. It intersects with the light rail at Charles Center so you can get to Penn Station or Camden Yards for the MARC. Express bus lines serve some of the more heavily traveled commuter routes, and standard bus service operates throughout the city. The Baltimore Water Taxi runs three connector lines (they permit bikes on board) and a fleet that serves most of the harbor tourist attractions.

Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is home to many of the city’s attractions, big hotels, and Harborplace, the waterfront shopping center. It’s touristy, but that makes for a neighborhood that’s connected and has lots of services. Because this neighborhood was the center of revitalization efforts, a lot of what’s here is new construction – mixed use buildings with retail and restaurants at street level and condos or offices up above. Most of the housing here is in high rise condo complexes, a lot of them have spectacular views towards the water.

The University of Maryland is downtown and it’s easily accessed by Metro to Charles Center. There are some attractive loft style apartments in rebuilt warehouses and classic brick buildings with hardwood floors and gorgeous architectural detailing like arcade windows and elegant public spaces. There are plenty of newer condos, too, with amenities like stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, and on site gyms. Downtown has an active neighborhood association that’s focused on making the heart of the city a better place to live.

Charles Village, close to the Johns Hopkins campus, has more single family homes – many of them are two and three story row houses. It offers the diversity that university neighborhoods attract. An active neighborhood association is advocating to bring street car service to Charles Village, connecting it to downtown. Charles Avenue around 25th is a restaurant corridor and there are lots of nice coffee houses here too.

On the opposite side of Johns Hopkins and close to Wyman Park, there’s Hampden. A former mill district, now it’s retro-hipster chic with independent coffee houses, bars, and restaurants.

Hamden’s got a reputation for being quirky; there are lots of one of a kind shops that express the neighborhood’s unique personality. It’s also a very walkable place to live, restaurants line 36th Street and major bus lines cross the neighborhood.

Baltimore – or “Charm City” as it likes to call itself – has dozens of unique neighborhoods that offer walkable living. And with its focus on improving transit and street life, a move to Baltimore can get you in early on something good.

With 48% of Baltimore residents renting, you’ll find no shortage of apartments for rent, from cheap studios to colonial townhomes and classic row houses. Use Walk Score to search for one bedroom condos or two bedroom apartments close to the MTA – try Hamden for lofts and studios with easy access to light rail.

Federal Hill has some nice renovated row houses; in Guilford, you’ll find luxury single family homes with gardens. Charles Village offers diversity, high rise secured apartment buildings, luxury condos, and renovated row houses.