I nominate the Deep Harbour community in Cambridge, MD. on the Choptank river.
This waterfront community on Marylands eastern shore has lovely condo's and townhouses under $200,000. It's a short ride to Oxford, St Michaels, and Easton and just an hour away from the Maryland and Delaware beaches. People here are friendly and relaxed and all of Delmarva is your backyard.

Lake Walker (in the city) and Idlewylde (in the county) both near Belvedere and Towson. Great community, home styles and prices. Idlewylde has the added benefit of lower taxes and great schools.

this one might seem obvious considering your post last week, but I'll say it: Lauraville.

Thanks for the suggestions, folks! Keep 'em coming.

Observer, I'm looking for places in the Baltimore metro area -- but that does sound nice.

Annen Woods in Pikesville. Walk to Trader Joe's and Barnes and Noble.

The Villages of Homeland are a great townhouse community between Homeland proper and Radnor Winston. Contemporary three-bedroom townhomes, reasonably priced, with a community pool. HOA dues are reasonable and include the community cutting your lawn (!), snow plowing, and use of the pool and community gym.

I'd like to nominate Arcadia--lots of new restaurants, community activism, Herring Run Park, and friendly neighbors abound. Walk to local businesses and the local farmers' market--fresh, local produce. I can go a week without my car--no problems. It's a great place to live, and affordable, too! Check out my blog on salamanderpoints.com to read more about this cool 'hood.

Ednor Gardens is a nice, very affordable neighborhood. Typical prices are around $160,000 and it is a very diverse community (age, race, ethnicity, socio-economically, etc.). It is close to Hopkins and the YMCA on 33rd and has an informal dog park off of 36th. It is also within walking distance of the farmers market and the businesses along Greenmount Ave.

I nominate Perry Hall altough I think the avg price is little higher then the National avaerage. The community has many amenities including Honeygo Run Park with a track and walking trails close to shopping and commuter routes.

Hampden, hon! Just moved here. Love it! Close to all the things I love: restaurants, Roosevelt Park, the pool, bars, and action.

i'm gonna second the Lauraville/Arcadia nominations but extend my nomination to include the whole Greater Lauraville area: Hamilton/Waltherson/Bev Hills/Arcadia/MW and Morgan Park

great people +open space +old growth trees + booming businesses + diverse homes + new restaurants & bars + local markets + organized, collaborative and progressive thinking = baltimore's best kept secret! and for you commuters out there, there's fairly simple access to 95/895/695.

http://www.greaterlauraville.com/ourneighborhoods.html

PIGTOWN! Although some call it Washington Village, the name is less important than the great community within it's boundaries. You have Mt. Clare Museum House, Carroll Park, the B&O Railroad Museum, both Camden Yards and Ravens Stadium, the Inner Harbor and Federal Hill all within walking distance! There is as much diversity as history in this urban/industrial favorite. Minutes from I-83, 695 and I-95...you can go anywhere you want, when and if you need to drive. Don't forget about the Pigtown Festival which happens annually (www.pigtownfestival.org)!!!

I grew up in Violetville in southwest Baltimore City. It is a wonderful small community with it's own elementary school.

I'm loving the outpouring of suggestions, folks. More! More!

How about Wavery? Centrally located, close to Hopkins Homewood, Charles Village, and even Hampden. You can get downtown and to the County quickly. House prices are reasonable. There's walkable shopping, especially now since they put in the Giant. Beautiful new YMCA where the Stadium used to be. Borders Ednor Gardens, which has been mentioned already. There's trees! It's becoming more diverse too.

Lauraville! Walk to where you can buy books, groceries, the best coffee beans, ice cream, espresso, creative dinners made from items bought at farmer's markets, a classy happy hour, a fantastic crab cake, and more from independent, community-based places. Meet your neighbors at fun block parties. Enjoy porches, yards, trees, parks, and even a nearby university. We even have an art crawl now.

Adam,

I agree that Pigtown has a lot of potential. Unfortunately it seems like a neighborhood caught in limbo.

For each good street there is a bad street occupied with drug dealers, drunks, and other unpopular characters.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see it turn around but, I think the bubble pop has really hurt Pigtown more than other areas.

As an example - the high number for rehabs performed toward the end of the housing wave has caused a massive inventory of properties overpriced for the market today. The developer can't afford to reduce his price so now the property is rented at best or vacant and probably vandalized.

Pigtown had some promise to turn around when housing was big and a first time buyer could get a home for the faction of Federal Hill (that was fully rehabbed). But now, the price point is similar to other established areas (Federal Hill, Canton, Patterson) because those prices are falling while Pigtown seems stuck at some invisible pricing floor.

Pigtown developers need to whip out the red markers and start slashing prices to remain a competitive option.

SAVE PIGTOWN!

I'd like to second Waverly! In addition to the factoids mentioned above (for Waverly and EG) don't forget that this area also has glittering gems like the new Darker Than Blue Cafe, and well established spots like Thai Restaurant, and Pete's Grill, Normals Books/The Red Room, the Book Thing, and a Library that will someday move up on the list of those getting "face lifts."

Seton Hill! Largest green space downtown - St. Mary's Park. We've got Trinacria Italian Market, H&H, good community association. Close to Walters, Mt. Vernon, Main Library, Lexington Market. 20 min walk to Camden Yards. Houses are reasonably sized and priced for first-time buyers.

I nominate Riverside in South Baltimore. It is not just a geographic area, but a community of people. What I love about it: great active community association; walking distance to three large city parks (Riverside Park; Federal Hill Park; and 30 minute walk to Fort McHenry Park); quick walk to the restaurants, bars, and shops in Federal Hill; walking distance to the Inner Harbor, Camden Yards, and the Ravens Stadium; walking distance to two stellar private elementary schools; a variety of local churches to choose from; lots of great local pubs; family and dog friendly; 20 minute walk to the city's second dog park in Locust Point (scheduled to open in the fall); SoBo (southern Baltimore) sports offers weekend and evening kickball, football, softball, volleyball leagues for the young and old; SoBo running group (don't do your evening run alone); walking distance to Cross Street Market; community swimming pool; great fenced-in kids playground; good combination of longtime residents and newcomers; flowers in front of homes; and traditional South Baltimore stoop-sitting. Plus, despite the proximity to Federal Hill and the Harbor, the homes are reasonably priced -- and it's quiet!

Lauraville!!

Here's another vote for Greater Lauraville (Arcadia, Beverly Hills, Hamilton Hills, Lauraville,Mayfield, Moravia Walther, Morgan Park, Waltherson)!

Great affordable housing stock with big yards! Four or five convenient charter schools. Strong public schools. Hiking and athletics nearby at Herring Run Park and elsewhere.

Support for homeowners and rehabbers through the Healthy Neighborhoods Loan Program!

Destination restaurants like Clementine (newly expanded!) and the Chameleon Cafe. Fantastic bar restaurants like Parkside (co-owned by the inventor of Resurrection!) and the Hamilton Tavern. The best children's bookstore in the Baltimore area (Red Canoe). Also the best coffee (Zeke's).

Great people and very active associations. If you actually have to leave the neighborhood, it's 10-15 minutes to downtown, 6 minutes to 895/695, and 5 minutes to the Belvedere Square area. Though everything you really need is right here on Harford Road.

Oh, and of course we were named The Best Place to Buy an Old House in Maryland by THIS OLD HOUSE magazine. AND we're still affordable. And kid friendly. And green. And safe. And friendly. And . . . .

I'll throw another suggestion for the Lauraville area (and neighborhood of Waltherson)! Great new resturants, pubs friendly neighbors and a small town feel.

I have to agree with the Lauraville nomination. This Old House clearly feels the same way!

In the past week alone, I've been able to walk a few blocks from my house to get a 3/8" - 1/2" shower adaptor, Harold McGee's book On Food and Cooking, and Sylvan Beach ice cream (honey graham and fudge brownie, no less). We have great neighbors who share food and flowers with one another, and my wife is teaching art lessons to a couple of the neighborhood kids this summer.

I've lived in several neighborhoods in Baltimore, but buying our amazing house in Lauraville 6 years ago was the best decision we ever made.

Add me to the Lauraville tally!

When I bring my friends from other neighborhoods to Lauraville, they are always so impressed by our coffee shops and restaurants. And the big beautiful trees and proximity to downtown are a major plus!

And new to Lauraville- Market Connection, an outdoor gathering/market every Tuesday evening. Come and see why we all love Lauraville so much!

I'd like to nominate Hamilton. It's a nice quiet neighborhood, wonderful friendly neighbors, lots of great restaurants & shopping in walking distance & a new charter school opening this fall. You can't ask for more!

SBIC, better know as South Baltimore (between Fort Avenue and I-95), is a good candidate. It's the unknown sister of Federal Hill. You can access everything by walking or biking from there: Camden yard, Downtown, Grocery Store, Federal Hill restaurants.
You don't have to look for too long to find decent houses even below $200,000.00 . I just checked it in the internet, and there are at least 10 of them available for sale.

It's close to I-95, what means that you can get to the highway quickly without having to cross downtown.

Hanover street is a straight shot to Glen Burnie. That means easy access to all of department stores you can think of.

It is also a quiet and safe neighborhood with schools, and an active neighborhood association.

SBIC (South Baltimore) is the hidden undervalued gem in Baltimore.

Lauraville is a wonderful place to live. Great sense of community, a park, restaurants, grocery store all within walking distance! Beautiful houses as well!

Greater Lauraville! In addition to all the other pluses, Greater Lauraville is home to a burgeoning arts community: Herring Run Arts Network, Hamilton Arts Collective, Hamilton Gallery and most of the restaurants and businesses hang art by Baltimore artists on their walls. Did anyone mention our great haircuts? Chop Shop shapes our heads into works of art!

Lauraville is definitely where its at! For young couples/families I don't think there's a better deal in the city! We bought our first home late last summer and LOVE the neighborhood. We thought we'd miss being where all the action is in the city but have found so much here then we realized. Our new Tuesday Farmers Market is just another great example of the cool things happening here.

In the end though it comes down to what you get for your money--and Lauraville is quality and affordable!

DESTINATION LAURAVILLE!

I would like to second Ednor Gardens Lakeside. In addition to the already mentioned amenities don't forget about Lake Montebello (great rec path) and the 36 and 3 buslines to and from Downtown. Leave the car at home and let the bus take you to work.

I nominate Patterson Park Neighborhood, cos we have the best back yard in Baltimore! Not only do we have a strong, cohesive, sociable community of neighbors working hard to revitalize, we also enjoy great proximity to the waterfront, downtown cultural venues, Hopkins Medical Institutions and all that--and its still affordable for single young professionals and first time buyers. I wouldn't live anywhere else!

Violetville! this is a great community. more like a small town or suburb. but only 6 minutes from downtown. has its own school, park and churches

I would like to nominate Coldstream/Homestead/Montebello, otherwise known as "CHM"!!

CHM is home to the the flagship Baltimore City College High School and is close to Johns Hopkins and Morgan State Universities.

CHM is home to five parks, and is nestled between serene Lake Montebello, invigorating Clifton Park,(voted the best park by Baltimore's City Paper 2008) and traversed by scenic Olmstead
Brothers designed boulevards.

The natural beauty of the community's surroundings is only surpassed by the
enduring spirit of the residents who are the force behind the community’s
renaissance. Their energies are channeled through the Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello Community Corporation (CHMCC) a vibrant leader in community empowerment.

For fun, play a round of golf at Clifton Park Golf Course, or visit one of our many ball and soccer fields, tennis courts and bike paths or two community swimming pools. Relax by the lake, or immerse yourself in the tranquility of Mothers Garden, or sit back and relax at one of our outdoor summer movies - the best summer movie series in Baltimore!!

CHM is just a stones throw from great shopping, eating, hospitals, universities and the inner harbor.

Whatever you are looking for, CHM has everything you can want in a community!!

I agree, the Riverside area in South Baltimore is a great place to live if you want City life at an "affordable" price. You are close to the park, major highways, the water, camden yards, great bars and resaurants, and an easy cab ride to anywhere in the city. You can find a great place for under $250K.

I nominate Arcadia in Northeast Baltimore. People are very friendly, the houses are affordable with lots of character and charm and the area is safe. There are restaurants, farmers market and grocery shopping within walking distance. I regulary walk my dogs through Herring Run Park over to Lake Montebello and have never had any problems. I love this neighborhood!!

I also nominate Patterson Park! Fabulous affordable housing of different sizes (so families can grow without leaving the neighborhood), diverse neighborhood with a strong and active resident community, great proximity to the water, canton, fells, and major highways..and of course, the Park!

Patterson Park!!!!! We are so close to Fells, Harbor East, Highlandtown, Canton, the water, Hopkins, all major highways if needed, and we have the best community in the city - Close knit, diverse, and wonderful. It is the "best backyard" of baltimore!!!!!!! Check out the concerts this summer and see everyone out with the doggies and have a great time with the live music next to the beautiful pagoda! Can't say enough!!!!

Patterson Park, when I house hunted I looked all over the city and love where I have ended up. Its a great location just about anywhere in the city, the park is a great space with the best non-water views in the city and a variety of activities within. We have a diverse population working toward a common goal of stabilization, the charter school, neighborhood restaurants and a neighborhood association that have been recognized by the city as a model for other neigborhoods. Our work is not done but we are definitely headed in the right direction.

Agreed w/Riverside/SoBo. I love living here - easy to access everything you could need and much more affordable than Federal Hill.

I nominate Historic Union Square. They are many large, lovely brownstones for under $250,000.

I just paid less than that for a grand 3,500 square foot rowhome.

The actual Park is beautiful and is in close in proximity to downtown, UMB Schools/ UMB BioPark, and the new restaurants in Hollins Market, a few blocks away.

Many families and young couples have been joining the nabe over the past several months.

Don't know if it's exactly "hidden," but I choose Woodberry--right next to Hampden, but cheaper and quieter, and right behind Druid Hill Park and the Jones Falls Trail.

My vote is for Riverside, South Baltimore. The area has its issues like everywhere else, but there are so many nicely renovated homes to choose from. You have close proximity to a great park, access to major highways, a close walk to the harbor, camden yards and fells point, and the costs of owning compared to closer in Federal Hill is much better.

I highly suggest taking a look at what the area has to offer within a street or two of Riverside Park. Especially if you're a dog lover or just a person looking for a great affordable place to live in the city!

Lauraville! I have lived in Lauraville since 2001 and I absolutely love it.

Check out this month's Baltimore magazine for Best of Baltimore's winners from NOGLI:

Best Charcuterie: Clementine
Best Coffee Splurge: Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee at Zeke's
Best Coffeehouse: Grind-On Cafe
Best Neighborhood Bar/Northeast: Hamilton Tavern

Long Reach, Columbia. I live within walking distance of the grocery store, several restaurants and bars, the liquor store, dry cleaners, and my doctor. Running through the back of my apartment is the fantastic Columbia-wide trail system, which can get you almost anywhere as easily as a car can. I live within biking distance of everything from Target to the farmer's market. I take public transit into work in Baltimore every day-- 25 minutes. It's affordable (seriously), people are super nice, and it's safe. We like it here way more than we thoght we would, and now have a contract in on a nice townhouse in a neighboring village in Columbia for well under $250K.

Bayview! 21224! It is so nice! Close to it all! Canton, Fells, Greek Town, 95, 895. Awesome city living with sort of a county feel because we have yards, and you can smell the fresh cut grass. I love the park at the end of my street, and the neighborhood cafe on Cornwall St! It is a real community too! Spring time is really nice when all the flowers bloom on Drew St! Great neighbors that really care! Everyone talks to one another. I just love it! Great prices! Almost too good to be true. Give this hidden hood the prize!!!

Patterson Park! I just bought a spectacularly rehabbed home (3/2.5!) for under $250K and can walk to Canton and Fells Point without the parking problems in living in either of those neighborhoods. The park is a great resource for city festivals, sports leagues, and just having a green place to stroll through when the city is getting you down. And being 10 minutes from downtown, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Bayview, and the highways it's a great neighborhood for students and professionals who work in Baltimore or surrounding areas.

I have to nominate My neighborhood of Brooklyn MD as a Hidden gem. We have a light rail stop, Bus stops, Friendly locals, Access to I-695, I-97, annd I-895(tunnel), as well as being not far from the B/W Parkway and I-95.

Radnor-Winston! Small, friendly community; affordable houses, mostly modest single-family craftsman with some larger and some town homes; strong neighborhood association and active social community; Roland Park School District; beautiful walking neighborhood with proximity to Loyola and Notre Dame campuses; liberal and eco-minded community sensibilities; good mix of types of families and occupations.

The neighborhood is small and people tend to stay a long time, so listings are few and therefore the neighborhood tends to be off real estate agent radars.

Seton Hill!! Great community. I know everyone who lives and works within 2 blocks of my house. In addition to what GM posted, this is a great neighborhood for dog lovers. Almost everyone has one. St Mary's park is the center of the neighborhood and is a great way to meet people who live nearby. And Trinacria is one of Baltimore's gems!

I nominate Morrell Park, on the south side of Baltimore City. I've lived here for almost 3 years now. It is a community of nice row houses, with some free-standing houses mixed in, schools and parks. The Patapsco River is nearby, and you can ride your bike along The Gwynns Falls Trail along the river. In addition, the beautiful Patapsco Valley State Park is a 5-minute drive away, and so is Carroll Park, which has basketball hoops and a skateboard park. The people are friendly and it is a quiet neighborhood. Houses are generally in the mid - low $100,000s.

I nominate Silo Point because it's by far the best housing in the city. It makes every other condo development look like a 1970's flashback, way to go Turner, you the man!

I want to second Bayview. My neighbors on both sides have lived there for decades, know all about all the other neighbors, keep an eye out- really good for a new homeowner. And the Shoppers grocery within walking distance cannot be beat for value.

The Bayview neighborhood in Baltimore City is great! Home values are really low and you have a front and backyard with grass and a front porch, except you are downtown. I can WALK under 1 mile to the grocery store, post-office, work (hopkins employee), vet (if you have a pet), snowball stand, corner cafe and joseph lee park. The inner harbor, fells point and canton are all within a few minutes away too. Love it.

I recommend the Coppin Heights/ Greater Rosemont Community. The Nieghborhood, which includes Coppin State Univesity, and the nieghboring "New" Mondawmin Mall, is minutes away from Downtown Baltimore, and is conveintly located along two major bus routes.The houses are big, spacious older model homes priced a $100,000 plus and climbing. It's a community with developement on the horizon, and a nieghborhood on the move. The theme for us could be "Get in on it"

Greater Lauraville!

There have been lots of good suggestions but I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned Belair Edison. I have rehabbed a couple of houses there and sold a few as a realtor. The area is easy to get to since it is just off I-95 and has several bus routes. There are a variety of home styles there, the prices are reasonable, and the neighbors are friendly. You can get a bank foreclosure that may need some work for $67K or a house that is updated for $130K.

Silo Point > $250K ... and it is a luxury condo, not a neighborhood... so I don't think it counts - sorry.

I can’t believe no one nominated Greenmount West. The neighborhood is quickly becoming the “it” spot in Baltimore. A place where young artist, families, and commuters to Washington DC mingle with old time Baltimorians.
Resturants – Tapas Teatro, Sofi’s Crepes, Station North Arts Café, Café Mocha
Nightlife – Charles Theatre, Club Charles, Everyman Theatre, Metro Gallery, Strand Theatre, Area 405
Institutions – UofB, MICA, Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School (must be good, they have a 500 student wait list)
Transportation – One block from Penn Station (50min to DC by MARC), light rail 4 blocks away, buses running down St Paul to the inner harbor, Hopkins shuttle, BoltBus (to NYC)
People – tons of artists in the Copy Cat Building and Cork Factory, young professionals, and students.
You can still get a rowhouse shell for $20K, or a completely renovated one for less than $250K, lofts, and the soon to be built City Arts Building (affordable housing for artists). And unlike many neighborhoods the market is still going up.

I nominate the Ashburton area of Baltimore City. There are PLENTY of big old homes in this area, and it's very close to Loyola, Hopkins, Notre Dame (even Morgan St. is a stone's throw away). People are paying all those big bucks to live in Charles Village (upper and lower), Homewood, and Hampden when they could have alot more house in Ashburton. There are a couple quality of life issues (real goods and services you probably have to drive to), but you'll have more moola to spend once you get there! I grew up in this neighborhood, and live there now. The area just needs some families and and a little TLC. Some of the neighborhoods and homes are really gorgeous. Living is relatively quiet. I just think it's a forgotten area because realtors and friends think it's too "out of the way" from mid-town. I've heard from a little word-of-mouth that potential homeowners & renters are steered away from here (for the obvious reason folks are steered away from places in Baltimore City). However, it's definitely a hidden gem, and I think you should ignore anything you might hear until you see the area.

Woodberry: www.aboutwoodberry.com. Quaint little historic mill town, nestled against Druid Hill Park, near the Zoo. It is like a little Appalachia within Baltimore City.

Violetville.. "Where The City Blooms!" Only 10 minutes to downtown Baltimore and still affordable!! We live in a singlle family home on Hineline that was built in 1888 and rehabbed to new last year. It has a beautiful and generous sized backyard. The area lacks the more upscale amenities but it is indeed a hidden gem with a nice mix of friendly neighbors. It also includes a park with baseball fields,a track, tennis courts, and playground.

A definite nomination goes to Morrell Park: the quiet little hub on the outskirts of I-95 off of Washington Boulevard and wedged between I-295 right below Monroe Street. I have a great view of downtown from my block and I'm minutes from the stadium and Cross Street Market. Carroll Park is right up the street along with a golf course. We have the Patapsco Flea Market and plans are underway for the south end of the harbor located in Westport. I work in DC and the freeway is only but a hop, skip, and a jump away; no need to manuever through town, I just jump on the highway. That's why I bought a row house here. Homes are still priced in the low-$100s easy.

I can't believe that no one has nominated Locust Point. It is the best kept secret in Baltimore. Close to I95, Fort McHenry, Latrobe Park (great for kick ball, tennis,etc) the inner harbor, has a water taxi stand, close to Fed Hill and Fells Point. I bought my 1880 row house last year for less than 250. Silo Point is going to have some good retail shops on the ground level. The foundry complex on Fort Ave offers a merit health club and the wine market which is a nice restaurant and a day spa. There is also a Haris Teeter's grocery store being built which is due to open next year. A new farmers market on Saturdays at the museam of industry is pretty cool. Tide Point is great for the fire works and is a close walk. Not to mention the people that live here. It has a real sence of comunity and people still hang out on their stoops, and we know our neighboors.

I guess I'll be the first to nominate Upper Eutaw/Madison, a sub-neighborhood and historic district within greater Reservoir Hill (although I debated doing so after reading your comments about Pigtown). If it's gorgeous Victorian architecture you want, NO neighborhood can even come CLOSE to us for the grandeur + price. Cut out the "starter home" -- go right for the square footage (I've got 4,500 sq feet of living space, not counting my basement, which is another 1,500. Stained glass, ornate plaster ceiling moldings, multiple fireplaces/mantels, elaborate hardwood floors, pocket doors, 12 foot ceilings (my BASEMENT is 9" high): these are typical details of our homes. We also have something a lot of very urban neighborhoods do NOT have: a very good award-winning school (charter), the Midtown Academy, which is FREE. There is a large amount of families with school-age children in Upper Eutaw/Madison, which is also a bit out of the ordinary for similarly situated neighborhoods (the presence of the school has a lot to do with it). My back yard is Druid Hill Park, designed by the guy who designed NYC's Central Park...it's Baltimore's best park, an underused gem. We have diversity of residents. Greater Reservoir Hill has it's pockets of blight, but the Upper Eutaw/Madison district is pretty solid throughout and has a lot of old-timers (renovaters who came in the 70's and early 80's and are still here!) and is majority owner-occupied. "Reservoir Hill" is too big to be considered a true cohesive "neighborhood" - it should be judged individually by the smaller defined neighborhoods within it's boundaries -- and Upper/Eutaw Madison is the best of them, in my opinion. At the top of boom, some houses here were selling for $600k+, but now some can be had for $250k, I think -- not the very best and biggest ones, but very solid well-built houses on safe stable blocks. I've been living here since the turn of the decade and had no incidents of crime other than the car breakin which has happened to me in every neibhgorhood I've ever lived in, even Roland Park.

Thank you so much for this article. Yes, there are some very nice neighborhoods other than those that always get mentioned over and over by those trying to market Baltimore. I'd like to nominate Howard Park which has lots of homes around (and under) the $200k mark. These homes are big, beautiful and the neighborhood has that southern family charm.

I vote Hamilton. Some of the things mentioned for Lauraville are really in the Hamilton side (Hamilton Tavern, Clementines). Amazing houses, plenty to do in walking distance. It's a great neighborhood!

Old Goucher is a neighborhood that is really up and coming. Centrally located, easily accessible to JHU & MICA, & Waverly Farmer's Market. Free street parking. Houses are huge and ridiculously affordable. There is new development happening now--even in a tight economy. New restaurants like Terra Cafe have gone in; old restaurants are staying strong like the best pizza/Indian food joint in the city-- Charles Restaurant--and the Yabba Pot. Best of all, Old Goucher a friendly, racially diverse neighborhood where people take genuine interest in each other. Def worth checking out.

I will definitely second BklyntoBmore's nomination for Greenmount West...definitely a neighborhood on the rise!

Bay Highlands in Annapolis is a small, hidden community bordered by Oyster Creek and the Chesapeake Bay. Minutes from downtown, a block from the neighborhood beach where you can easily see the Bay Bridge and the housing is affordable.

Hamilton Hills. It's just north of Lauraville with similar housing stock and easy walking to all Harford rd. has to offer, but the prices tend to be 10 to 20K cheaper than the same house would run you in Lauraville.

Um, Steve I think no one mentioned Locust Point because we want to keep a lid on it. I'm one of the LP residents that would like to keep the secret. Thanks for letting the cat out of the bag lol.
On that note, I think everyone should move to Hamilton and Lauraville.

I also second Greenmount West!! I moved there a few months ago and couldn't be happier. Commuting to downtown DC is a breeze and while there are some vacant houses, they're being snatched up by small developers and rehabbed into some of the biggest rowhomes in the city! Restaurants and bars are a five minute walk; close enough to go out at the last minute and not so close that you have to deal with the noise. Longtime residents couldn't be more thrilled with the progress the area is making, they are a very active segment in the advancement of the community. Being surrounded by Bolton Hill, Mt Vernon, and Charles Village, there's nowhere for this community to go but up!!

Lauraville rocks!!!! Diverse, welcoming, great homes, great people, great places to eat, meet and have fun.

Original Northwood. There is a wide range of prices in this neighborhood, so I am not sure it fits under your price point, but it is a terrific place to live. It has beautiful architecture and landscaping, a lush mature tree canopy, and fantastic neighbors. There are close to twenty kids on my block alone, and every week a different neighbor hosts popsicle night with popsicles for the kids and beer for the parents. Best of all for this interracial family - it is a truly mixed community.

Lutherville!

I love this blog, but the comments on this post sound like free advertising for neighborhood association members and house flippers. Check out the links attached to many commenters' names.

Hi, Stephen -- I think it's a good sign when neighborhoods have active associations with people willing to speak up for their community, so it doesn't bother me if they're speaking up here. And real estate investors (flippers or otherwise) do have something to gain if people move into their neighborhoods, but that's not a reason to entirely discount their opinions, right?

Most of the posters here don't have links on their names, so it's harder to tell if they're invested in any way other than as residents. But then most regular residents won't have a blog to link back to.

Bottom line: I'm going to consider everything that everyone has to say on this post when I compile the neighborhood list, but that's not stopping me from doing my own research too.

I would like to nominate Waltherson.....smack dab in the middle of the Harford Road Rennaisance. Hamilton to the north and Lauraville to the south. All within an easy walk. Baltimore Magazine's best coffee- Zeke's, best coffee shop- Grind On, best charcuterie restaurant-Clementines,best neighboorhood bar-Hamilton Tavern, Top 50 Restaurant-The Chameleon

Greenmount West. It's in the Station North arts and entertainment district. Artscape started 3 blocks from my house! Everyone is friendly and the community association always draws a pretty good crowd. Plus it's only a short walk to Penn Station for those who commute to DC. Also, Joe Squared is right around the corner. MICA is also in the area.

Frankford Estates is a very nice and caring neighborhood that is often seen where the I-895 and I- 95 split happens from the new overpass near Moravia Rd. There are single family homes, detached, semi-detached and town houses less than 5 years old,that are only five minutes away from lovely waterfront Canton, 9 minutes from Fells point,15 minutes from downtown Baltimore. The community is highly suburban like, quiet, and covenant with a clubhouse and swimming pool. Houses are spacious to moderate inside with many semi-profession and profession residents interested in having a friendly progressive neighborhood. It is the best of both urban and surburban city environment. See FrankfordEstates.org website.

Upper Fells Point. A crossroads community between downtown and Patterson Park, Hopkins and Harbor East, with an active and engaged community association.

Greenmount West. 5 years from now, people will be kicking themselves for not buying in GW. Huge houses, art galleries, restaurants, and mass transit, all supported by an enthusiastic community association and residents both new and old. If you don't believe me, just take a look at Baltimore Sun archives, and you will find a plethora of articles that mention GW and its proximity to artscape and downtown, and how it is THE up and coming place to live.

I nominate the Reservoir Ridge community in Eldersburg. The community is still being built out but the local school system is great, the community is close to tons of restaurants and retail stores, and the houses are beautiful.

Belair Edison! The great Herring Run Park runs through it, the streets are tree-lined, the people are friendly, and the rowhouses are solid and spacious compared to other rowhouse neighborhoods.

It's more affordable than Lauraville, Hamilton, Patterson Park, etc. -- ideal for first-time homeowners like myself. Plus it has strong neighborhood groups like Belair Edison Neighborhoods Inc., which has great resources for homebuyers.

Sure I added a link to our community associations site - how else to better provide information about my community?

It would be silly to link to a personal website even if I had one LOL other than my facebook page. The posts here are relevant to our communities - not to me!!

Yes we have a great community association that I work with - I moved to CHM two years ago, and have become active in the community as well as the community association. I'm not paid by anyone to promote it - I do it because i'm proud of the community where I live and the work we do!!

Associating my community association in the same breath with property flippers however is extremely offensive, as we do all we can to track down and get rid of deadbeat property owners and abusers in CHM!!

Want another reason to live in CHM? Our schools. For example, this year, 100 percent of Abbottston Elementary students scored as proficient or advanced in reading on the Maryland School Assessment -- and was selected as the site of the state's announcement of Maryland's MSA results -- bringing Governor O'Malley, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Maryland School Superintendant Nancy Grasmick, Mayor Sheila Dixon, and schools CEO Andres Alonso to Coldstream Homestead Montebello.

Check out this link for a Sun Paper story on the topic - though the author incorrectly claims the school is in Waverly >-(

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/bal-md.schools02aug02,0,10564.story

Here are a couple other related links.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/bal-md.msa22jul22,0,7928776.story?track=rss

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-bz.schools26jul26,0,3196383.story

Bill Palmer -
Proud Resident of Coldstream Homestead Montebello!!

MARBLE HILL is the Hidden Gem of Baltimore City. Affordable, Attractive, Historic and most importantly great tight-knit group of neighbors/friends that embrace our charm and make things happen. Marble Hill is a great neighborhood to live in. Our neighborhood is a short distance to downtown, I-83, I-95 and centrally located to many transportation hubs. Most of our neighbors have been here for a long time and remember the greats who both lived here and stayed in the neighborhood during the hey-days of the Royal Theater on Pennsylvania Avenue. With a proud history of African American cultural distinction, linked to historic Upton, the Marble Hill area was a point of destination for many of the "Who's Who" among African Americans in the early to mid-twentieth Century.
Marble Hill is once again emerging as a point of destination and a community of choice not only for African Americans but for anyone interested in city living. There are plenty opportunities in this National Historic District.

I nominate Pigtown...although there are some shady spots where else can a teacher purchase a fully rehabbed home with 3 bedrooms walking distance to Fed Hill, Inner Harbor, the stadiums, etc? The best part of Pigtown that seldom know about, is our neighborhood associations. Many of the young professionals in the area work with local youth taking neighborhood kids fishing, getting them to help us clean the streets and through events like happy hours, soft ball games and fundraisers Pigtown is a real community. I love many of my neighbors whom have lived here 50+ years. I did not have this feeling of community when I lived in Annapolis. All neighborhoods have problems in Baltimore, but Pigtown is on it's way up with and a dollar still stretches here...Plus...wait till you see our festival (Sept 12th) and the businesses that have committed to our Main Street. Look out! You're gonna wish you got in when I did!

Pigtown Pride :0
Jen Petrin

Jamie,

I agree that the bubble hurt Pigtown like many other popular downtown neighborhoods, but think the difference is in the fact that many of the places bought and rehabbed in Canton or Fed Hill for example, were bought at significantly higher prices due to the areas being over valued at the time from the markets continued rise. Shells in Pigtown or even untouched homes never came close to the same prices in neighboring communities. That is a large part of the reason I bought there. While everything else seemed over valued, Pigtown had not yet hit that trend and it's prices were more than reasonable. My home for example was $225,000 as a full rehab where I got to choose every aspect used...granted I wish I had bought a few months later and saved some $. That might buy you a fixer upper in Hampden or a garage in Canton...haha. While other areas have lost $100,000 or so, I am only down a few grand from where I bought two years ago. When the market rebounds, I have room for appreciation where other areas have already seen over appreciation and will likely stay in place or have nominal gains. Keep in mind the Carroll-Camden Industrial plans could help stimulate market value once they get rolling also. As for the drug dealers, drunks and others...I work in Fed Hill on the weekends that includes all of the latter. A few years back, I was assulted in Canton blocks from the square and spent two days in Bayview having my thumb tendons reattached after a bottle was almost broken over my head. My point is, city/county...danger/crime exist everywhere. If you stay educated, make intelligent decisions and have communitites that are banded together...well, that decreases your risk, but it still exists. I do agree there needs to be a reduction in price to get buyers into this "gem" while the option exists though not much. My point is, Pigtown is poised to be a better neighborhood if we could increase our occupancy rate. I don't think I have met one person who wants Pigtown to become the next downtown hotspot rather the next that meets it's potential!

Another Pigtowner chiming in! I moved here 3.5 years ago, before the housing crash, and I've seen the neighborhood improve during that time, not decline. I think the recession and housing slump hit every "neighborhood in transition," and it seems that Pigtown's upward trend stalled a bit, but I consider that a temporary setback.

People here are really involved, and although we have problem areas, the neighborhood as a whole is a nice one. It's a very mixed group of residents -- white collar and blue collar -- and that's a selling point in my book.

Southfield in Nottingham. Attractive 20-year-old townhomes, Perry Hall schools, a mile from White Marsh mall and I-95, which makes it good for families that must commute in more than one direction.

Funny to read the comments about Pigtown here. We've lived here for 4-1/2 years (renting) and are moving to Lauraville. Great businesses, an active community association, and big beautiful homes with yards! We just bought a house in Lauraville and are looking forward to becoming a part of this wonderful neighborhood!

I second Old Goucher! I just bought my first home there and it has been a great place to live. You can get Big, newly gut-renovated houses here at amazing prices right now as developers are buying and fixing up the old homes.

My house is a 4-bedroom, 2.5 bath which was completely renovated, and I paid under 150 for it.

I nominate Elmwood. Having grown up near this area 60 years ago, I still have friends living there. Many are now making the move in with children or to those 55+ communities so a lot of nice homes are coming up for sale priced below $200,000. I am pleased to be a realtor for one of those homes of a schoolhood friend. On Nov 15 a number (5 at this count) of the houses are hosting Open Houses. We invite the Baltimore community to come and see what is available and to find their new home just outside the city limits convenient to 695, 95, and 83.

Sorry, Carol, nominations have been closed for a while. (The hidden-gem neighborhoods will be revealed on Nov. 13.) But once the gems are up, I'll invite folks to share what they like about their own neighborhoods.

Windsor Hills. A National Register Historic District with some of the most unique homes in Baltimore overlooking the Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park. Huge turn of the century to great WWI bungelows with a long history of diversity. Minutes from downtown, beltway with many options for ownership under $300K and historic tax credits.

Hmm, I think I'd better remove the ability to comment on this thread! David, the nominations have been closed for months -- the hidden-gem neighborhoods were picked last year.

But I invite you and any other local resident to participate in "My Neighborhood 'Tis of Thee." Details and examples here: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/business/realestate/blog/my_neighborhood_tis_of_thee/