Mt Washington - Baltimore, MD

Many consider Mount Washington to be Baltimore's first suburb. The neighborhood began as a summer retreat from the city in the middle of the 19th century. A recession during the Civil War slowed growth in the 1860s, but it picked up again in the 1870s when developers began building small enclaves of homes. By the 20th century, people began to commute into the city from Mount Washington, and the neighborhood ceased being just a summer retreat.

No museums exist within the boundaries of Mount Washington, but residents benefit from an active art scene at Baltimore Clayworks. This nonprofit arts center displays local artists' work in exhibits, offers classes and workshops for members of the community and hosts special events throughout the year.

Residents going out to eat have many cuisine types to choose from in Mount Washington. One of the more unique restaurants in town, Crepe Du Jour, serves up light, fluffy crepes to satisfy both sweet and savory cravings. The impressive and imaginative crepe menu shows the eatery's dedication to making the perfect crepes. Enjoy buckwheat crepes stuffed with salmon, avocado, capers and Guyere cheese or a warm, sweet crepe topped with vanilla ice cream and caramelized apples. The menu also has other traditional French dishes as well, such as coq au vin, quiche and duck leg confit.

Chiyo Sushi can be found in the heart of Mount Washington and servers over 100 different sushi rolls. This renowned restaurant serves generous portions which helps set it above many other sushi restaurants in Baltimore. Local favorites include the queen roll, Godzilla roll and vegetable roll.

Mount Washington has a few bars and taverns for nightlife fun. Expect to be hard-pressed to choose which craft beer to try at The Nickel Taphouse. The bar tries to make the selection process easier for you by grouping the abundance of craft beers by flavor profile on the menu. The food menu is limited, but the items served keep customers coming back for more.

Residents often walk or bike from their neighborhoods to Mount Washington Village, where a number of shops and restaurants lie. Parking, while affordable, can be limited in this area. Residents who walk certainly have the advantage.

Cyclists make use of the nearby Jones Falls Trail to travel through Mount Washington and neighboring communities, such as Hampden and Druid Hill Park.

Mount Washington also has its own light rail stop, which takes residents into downtown Baltimore in about 20 minutes. A few Baltimore city bus routes also run through Mount Washington. Even with these public transit options, most residents choose to own cars. The light rail only runs north and south, and the buses can be unreliable.

Call ahead of time to get a cab. Uber can pick up customers from Mount Washington in a matter of minutes, so this may be a quicker option than a cab.

Residents have easy access to highways and expressways from Mount Washington. Interstate 83 and U.S. Route 1 are both about 5 miles away.

Cylburn Arboretum lies just south of Mount Washington and is free to the public. You can easily spend an entire afternoon at this park featuring over 20 gardens, 3.5 miles of trails, a nature museum and a historic mansion. Residents flock here every spring when the flowers start to bloom. A number of special events occur at the Cylburn Arboretum throughout the year, including free outdoor jazz concerts in the summer and a nature science camp for children.

Take your four-legged friend to Robert E. Lee dog park to enjoy ample space for running around and playing. The park also has a playground for children, a lake and trails for walking and jogging.

Mount Washington remains an affordable area of the city to live in. Compared to similar neighborhoods such as Roland Park, Mount Washington is a bargain. For instance, the rent for a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,200 per month, which is reasonable for an area so close to downtown.

Gas prices in Mount Washington typically exceed the national average by 3 percent, and expect to pay about $5 or $6 for a beer at a local pub.

Mount Washington Village, the neighborhood's central business district, has a variety of shopping options. The consignment shop La Chic Boutique sells used and vintage clothing and accessories. The owner greets customers with a bubbly personality and engaging conversation. A bit of searching often results in a bargain steal for many who venture into this locally owned shop.

Venture into Something Else for an eclectic array of women's clothing and accessories from around the world. Unique items from Mexico and as far away as India are sold in this shop. Locals looking to buy an original gift for a friend (or themselves) can find plenty of treasures at Something Else.

The historic Mount Washington Mill was converted into a series of business developments. The organic supermarket Whole Foods takes up a large amount of space. Residents also travel to the Giant supermarket just a few miles down the road for lower prices. No farmers market exists in Mount Washington proper, but the 32nd Street Farmers Market sets up less than 5 miles away. The market opens every Saturday morning from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. year round. Vendors include local favorites such as Atwater Bakery and Zeke's Coffee as well as a number of local farms selling produce.