Moving to Baltimore - maybe (neighborhoods, buyers, magnet schools)

[Forsyth-Online]

We might be moving to the Baltimore area and I am totally unfamiliar with the northeast. We have moved several times before. DH office downtown right next to Musuem of Industry and Fort McHenry national monument. We are looking for an upscale area with plenty of shopping and restaurants (within a 15 mile drive) and excellent schools. We have always lived in a newer area with a ton of growth. Any advice is much appreciated.

Also, how is the housing market? Atlanta (where we are coming from) has been okay as far as values - just lacking buyers.

[oneworld25]

You should look at Federal Hill area. It's right next to where your DH will be working and has lots of what you are looking for. However, it is in the city and the city tends not to have good public schools (but if you can afford it, there are some very good private schools).

You may also want to look at the Roland Park and Mt. Washington areas. These are less urban areas that are not that far from downtown. While it is in the city, the local elementary and middle schools are pretty good (for high school make you get your kids into one of the magnet schools).

Another possibility is the Stoneleigh or Rogers Forge neighborhoods. These are located outside the city and the areas are pretty similar to those I mentioned above, but with better schools.