Beyond the Classroom: Discovering Baltimore's Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods

Baltimore, Maryland is an incredibly vibrant town known for some amazing colleges. I had the pleasure of growing up sandwiched between a few of them. When I was a college kid myself, that meant there were always tons of young adult-friendly places to go -- from bars and restaurants to neighborhood parties. These days, I notice how important our college towns are, in terms of neighborhoods that feel safe, community-driven, and, well, young and fun!

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From the almighty Johns Hopkins University, known for educating some of the world's greatest minds, to the quirky yet reputable art school, MICA, to the mega popular school, Towson University, which has a bit of everything, there is no shortage of truly wonderful and reputable colleges and options for student apartments in Baltimore. But if you're planning to attend one, it's important to know which neighborhood makes sense to live in. 

From affordability, walkability, to great study spots, I've got you covered. 

The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)

When I was young, if I got invited to a MICA party, I felt like the coolest person in the world. The art kids are not only talented, but they're eccentric and their parties are ridiculously entertaining. MICA is a lot more than fun parties, though. It's also one of Baltimore's most brag-able colleges. It's the oldest degree-granting art school in the U.S., and it's deeply connected to the Baltimore community, meaning there is ample opportunity to connect with local happenings.

Bolton Hill

Of course, the city's most exciting art school is going to be in a very vibey part of the city. And it is! Bolton Hill is a residential neighborhood that feels absolutely urban. There are tons of shops, including art supply stores, coffee shops for hanging out or studying, bars, restaurants, and more. Mount Royal Tavern is the local, charming divey watering hole for thirsty college kids, as well as locals. There are also stunning monuments and a ton of architectural beauty to be seen in this part of the city. Bolton Hill can be on the pricier side of the nearby neighborhoods, but it's certainly worth the extra rent. 

Station North

Also nearby is Station North Art and Entertainment District, which is not slacking on the creative and artistic vibes, either. There are lots of great art galleries like New Door Creative, Waller Gallery, and more, making it the perfect home away from home for a MICA student. Behind Motor House is a must-visit selfie spot: Graffiti Alley. Station North also has one of the best coffee spots in the city, Sophomore Coffee, and college kids won't have to shell out all their work-study earnings to live there, as it's one of the more affordable neighborhoods. The Charles Theatre, an iconic Baltimore movie theatre, and the dive bar, Club Charles, known for its top-notch cocktails and dark, moody vibe, are in this part of town, too. 

Remington

Remington is one of the coolest, most up-and-coming neighborhoods in Baltimore. A few years ago, I didn't know it existed! Now, it's one of my favorite places to hang out. And, luckily for MICA students, it's not far away. It runs from North Avenue to the Baltimore Museum of Art. You can find fun hangouts there, like 29th Street Tavern, R. House, as well as diners, and more. Plus, it's right next to the lovable, quirky neighborhood of Hampden. Bonus: the housing is mega affordable.

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University is one of the top schools in the country. Globally, it's best known for its contributions to medicine and public health. Whether you're studying psychiatry, art, science, or anything else, the elite college is certainly a step in the right direction. But luckily, JHU is more than just a school for studying. You'll definitely get an incredible education there, but it's also a place students head to for immersive city experiences. It's located in one of the most interesting parts of Baltimore. The campus itself is beautiful. But it's also surrounded by tons of unique and, oh yeah, super fun Baltimore neighborhoods. 

Charles Village

There is a ton to do in Charles Village, especially for college kids. Johns Hopkins University sits right in the middle of the neighborhood, which is highly walkable and scenic. It feels a bit like an urban college town, given there are tons of bars, coffee shops, restaurants, and young adults with backpacks and books, but it's a college town that isn't just frequented by college kids. The Baltimore Museum of art, and its attached restaurant, Gertrude's, are big draws for locals and visitors. And as far as cozy hang outs, The Charles Village Pub is the place to grab dinner and drinks. Not only is it a staple for JHU students, but it's one of those gems that locals of any age love, too.

Waverly

Up-and-coming Waverly is a great place for college kids and families, alike. It's one of the most affordable places to live in Baltimore, but there is no shortage of character. Given it has some of Baltimore's best bookshops, like Red Emma's (a personal favorite), Normals Books & Records, and Urban Reads, it makes sense that Waverly is where the Baltimore Book Festival takes place every September. There's also a great Saturday morning farmer's market in the area that locals don't often miss. 

Fells Point

Fells Point isn't exactly right next to Johns Hopkins University, however, the Charm City Circulator (Baltimore's free bus), will get you there in a jiffy. That's part of what makes it a hub for college kids. It has some of the best bars in the city, like Cat's Eye Pub, which features up-and-coming local bands weekly, Slainte, The Admiral's Cup, and so many more. Nightlife is huge in Fells Point, but there are yoga studios, great local businesses, and the beautiful Baltimore Harbor, which, even if you live in the neighborhood, never gets tiresome to look at. Fells is full of college kids and young professionals, but because the neighborhood has so much to offer, housing costs a bit more. Still, if there was ever a fun city to live in while you attend school, Fells Point has got to be it.

Towson University

Towson University is known for so many things. They have a killer dance department and a stunning theater to accompany it. Sidenote: As a small child, my daughter used to perform there with her dance troop and she loved hanging out in the hallways where college kids were roaming. Other popular majors are business, education, and computer science. As one of the top schools in Maryland, TU has it all. And in recent years, the campus has done some major renovations. There is a ton of on campus housing, but nearby there are apartments and neighborhoods beloved by TU kids, too. 

Towson

I grew up on the outskirts of the Towson neighborhood. It sits just above the city line, so it feels like the best of both worlds. The city buses can take TU students downtown and back easily, but there's not much reason to leave the neighborhood. Of course, Towson encompasses the beautiful campus of Towson University, which hosts all kinds of events, like ballet shows, and concerts, throughout the year, but it's also where the Towson Town Center, one of the best malls in the state, a movie theater, and tons of bars and restaurants are. The Kent Lounge is the ultimate college bar -- trust me, I spent years hanging out in The Kent back when they still had a (functional) cigarette machine. 

Towson is a complete mix of college kids, young professionals, and college students. Still, shared houses and apartments are everywhere in Towson, and they're more affordable than many popular downtown living locations.

Mount Washington

Just on the edge of the city is the delightful neighborhood of Mount Washington. While not as pricey as its neighbor, Roland Park, Mount Washington has a classy vibe. It's filled with boutique shops, amazing restaurants, and it's highly walkable. Locals love that there's a Whole Foods, a Starbucks, and smaller local businesses like Bonjour Bakery and The Corner Pantry to choose from. 

Mount Washington is primarily made up of families, given the schools are some of the best in the city, however, lots of college kids lived in shared homes along Falls Road, too.

Parkville

Towson's down-to-earth nearby neighbor, Parkville, is a popular spot for families and college kids. That's because, while this area has plenty to offer, the housing is a bit cheaper than Towson. While it's not quite as walkable as Towson, there are great dining spots like Pappa's, known for having some of the best crabcakes, giant shopping centers, gyms like the Parkville YMCA, Planet Fitness, and more. But when it comes to affordable housing for TU students, the Parkville area can't be beat. 

When it comes to finding somewhere to live in Baltimore, there are seriously so many amazing options. Luckily, there are great schools, great neighborhoods, and tons of affordability. We've got that urban life, a bit of natural beauty, and so much more. It's just a matter of knowing what you want.