A Baltimore Local Expert’s Guide To 10 Budget-Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent

There are few cities more eclectic and diverse than Baltimore, Maryland. I should know. I've lived in various parts of Baltimore for most of my life. I've spent time in the neighborhoods that have the best bars for the college crowd. I know the tourist traps that aren't worth it, and the flashy spots even the locals will hit up. And, I obviously know where the best crabcakes are.

When it comes to Baltimore living, price points for home and apartment shopping are all over the map. There are ritzy uptown and waterfront neighborhoods that you have to earn six figures to rent even the most meager apartment. Still, there are plenty of affordable neighborhoods with a ton to offer, from walkability, cafes, bookstores, and, of course, that notable Baltimore charm. It's called Charm City for a reason, after all.

Here are 10 affordable neighborhoods Baltimore has to offer:

Remington

Cozied up next door to Baltimore's famous Hampden neighborhood, is its less flashy, but still very accommodating counterpart, Remington. The neighborhood, about 15 minutes North from downtown, has been swiftly emerging in recent years as one of the city's favorite spots for dinner at the food hall style restaurant R. House, or the lovable dive bar, 29th Street Tavern. You can also find the Papermoon Diner, a Baltimore fixture known for its over-the-top decorations like bright colors, toys, and dolls, covering every inch of the joint, and the delicious grub. It’s truly such a fun stop for brunch, or a late-night meal.

While there are tons of bustling businesses like wellness centers and salons, bookstores, and more, Remington is for more than just passing through. When it comes to city living, it's the best of both worlds. The neighborhood is made up of brick rowhouses, and while at times, it's bustling, this part of the city is an eclectic mix. Young singles surely live in this part of town, but so do plenty of older folks, and families.

Greektown

Downtown, in Southeast Baltimore, you'll find another neighborhood made up of rowhomes lived in by a mix of the young and old: Greektown. While many older Greek people live in the neighborhood, there are tons of first-time homeowners and young renters there, too, giving the area a vibrant yet culturally immersive vibe.

Not only will you find white and blue flags, but art and murals galore. Of course, there are lots of locally owned Greek restaurants to choose from, like Ikaro's, Samos, and Zorba's, along with corner stores, and Greek grocers. Greektown is always bustling, but a few times a year, the streets become packed when locals flock to Greektown's famous festivals like the Greek Independence Parade in March, and the St. Nicholas Greek Folk Festival at the start of summer. The latter is an absolute must.

Greenmount West

Situated just next to historic and lively Charles Street, which is home to the legendary movie theater, The Charles (they let you bring in wine before it was popular to do so) is the residential neighborhood of Greenmount West. It's a neighborhood with a strong feeling of community living that hits you even when you're just passing through. The neighborhood is full of color because art is the thing in Greenmount West. It has a number of spaces for creatives, such as Lighthole!, LABBODIES, and Oliver Street Studios.

In addition to being a neighborhood that celebrates art and culture, Greenmount West has a number of green spaces, like Hidden Harvest Farm, and Calvert and Federal Park. It also houses one of the city's most popular new breweries, Guilford Hall, which is so family-friendly it even has a kid's menu (and they don’t even get mad if adults order it).

 Hamilton and Glenham-Belford

One of Northeast's Baltimore's most up-and-coming neighborhoods, where community vibes are high, is Hamilton and Glenham-Belford. You'll find fun local stomps like Micky's Joint, which features tasty bar food and frequent musical guests, Lost in the 50's Diner, Koco's Pub (one of those notable crabcake spots), and Maggie's Farm.

Zeke's coffee is a popular spot on the main drag for neighbors to work, socialize, and, obviously, drink coffee. Red Canoe, a personal favorite, is a coffee shop that feels as cozy as your living room — there are even books and toys for kids in the back.

Hamilton is absolutely not hurting on local businesses. In fact, you could spend all your money there in an afternoon. There are amazing bookstores, vintage shops, and so much more. But there is a mix of affordable housing in Hamilton, too, from rowhouses to single-family homes. Plus, the nearby charter school, Hamilton — City Neighbors, is a big draw for families.

Waverly

If you're looking for a budget single family home with a lot of bang for your buck, Waverly could be the place. The neighborhood is filled with older houses with good bones, and folks of every age bracket and demographic, from college kids to singles to families.

The Waverly farmer's market pops up on Saturday mornings, where you can find great coffee, local produce, and grab some vegan grub from my all-time favorite stand, Tom Cat's Kitchen (say hi to owner Anna for me!). And every day of the week, you can visit the most eclectic bookstore-cafe in the city — the cooperative Red Emma's. And for the active folks, the Waverly YMCA has amazing fitness classes, a sauna, and a stay-and-play for little ones.

Parkville

Parkville, Maryland is one of the most convenient places to live in Baltimore. There are tons of local restaurants, boutiques, and vintage shops, like Savers, a personal favorite for a weekend clothing haul. You'll find just grocery stores, hardware stores, and just about every fast food chain imaginable nearby, too.

And while there is plenty of ease when it comes to living in Parkville, there's also tons of green space. Most streets are tree-lined, but some back up to the woods, which means living in the area feels like the perfect balance of nature and convenience.

Riverside

If you're searching for the free-spirited, downtown lifestyle, where you can walk just about everywhere, Riverside might be the perfect place for you. Locals love Riverside, which encompasses the beautiful Riverside Park, because it's the slightly more chill neighbor to the ulta-popular Federal Hill area in South Baltimore. But there's still plenty to do there!

You can catch a view of the Inner Harbor from Riverside, walk to your local corner bar, and over to Camden Yards at Oriole Park for an O's game (which, you really should because it's a truly beautiful ballpark). While there is nightlife abound, there are tons of families, parks, playgrounds and more.

Lake Walker

On the northern edge of the city is a family-friendly neighborhood, made up of mostly single-family homes, tree-lined streets, and spacious backyards. Lake Walker sits right between Towson in Baltimore County, and the city's Belvedere Square, making it a truly accessible place to be. You can easily hop on the bus to head up to Towson, downtown, or go East or West right from the cross street at Northern Parkway and York Road.

While the homes have plenty of room for families in this 'hood, there are still a bunch of local businesses to check out. The Senator Theater, the absolute best and most historic Baltimore movie theater, is nearby, as is Grand Cru bar and wine shop, and Swallow at the Hallow, a top-notch dive bar with great bites.

Canton

Canton is arguably one of the most beautiful and most fun neighborhoods in Baltimore. The historic row homes range from college digs to upscale luxury houses. Sure, you'll find tons of newly graduated college kids, running wild and free in Canton. But you'll also find people who have lived in the rowhomes that make up the neighborhood for decades and truly care about maintaining its cleanliness.

Bars? Check. Restaurants? Check. But there is also a ton of natural beauty in Canton. Canton Waterfront Park is the perfect place for a picnic or to practice yoga. But every summer, the local independent music station, WTMD, hosts free First Thursday Concerts in the park. While Canton is always a hub for fun, the concerts are a huge draw for the neighborhood. I even take my kids to a few of the concerts every year, as do so many parents I know. Parking can be a struggle when going out in Canton, however, so plan on taking an Uber or going on foot.

Seton Hill

Seton Hill is an affordable midtown neighborhood, on the cusp of Mount Vernon, that offers a super down-to-earth vibe. Given the University of Baltimore and the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) are both in the area, there are tons of college kids, which means budget living, and cheap eats! But the area also has a range of parks and green spaces, as well as community organizations that work hard to maintain and improve the neighborhood. That means, there's a truly remarkable mix of history and urban perks.

It's easy to get downtown on the bus or the light rail, but there's enough to do in Seton Hill to just stay local, too. Personal favorite stops are Lexington Market for groceries, the Hippodrome Theatre to catch a Broadway show in Baltimore, and for mutt lovers, Howard Street Dog Park. Ahem, the mutts owners always seem to be cute, too.