2021 Best Places to Live in Baltimore County

Lutherville

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 4.27 out of 5  30 reviews

Current Resident: I love Lutherville, its close to places where people never sleep and the streets are alive until 2 am, its not far away from Baltimore which is convenient because i can go to football and baseball games with my buddies, and the people will take you in an a second if you need it because that is what we do here, take care of each other. Lutherville is a great place to raise a family as well, schools are good, lots of teen job opportunities, and everyone's so close its not hard to go see your friends. One thing about Lutherville is that it is very liberal and is shown very openly by residents here, which makes it hard for conservatives to express how they feel, but I'm not complaining I cant vote yet so my opinion does not matter. Lutherville is a safe environment where you can walk alone at night and not have to worry like you would in close by communities.
Read 30 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• 6,856 Population

Towson

• Town in Maryland
• Rating 4 out of 5  209 reviews

Current Resident: I really love Towson! Everything is really close by so I can walk virtually everywhere. The schools in the area are nice, and the teachers obviously value students' wellbeing and quality of education. Everyone here is also really friendly.
Read 209 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A minus

• 57,817 Population

Mays Chapel

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 3.75 out of 5  8 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Mays Chapel for 8 years. I feel safe. The community is clean. The local schools are fine. Close enough to major roads, but also nice community for walking and riding bike. Glad I found this place.
Read 8 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• 12,253 Population

Hampton

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 3.14 out of 5  7 reviews

• grade A+

• grade B+

• 4,624 Population

Timonium

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 4.15 out of 5  27 reviews

Current Resident: I love living in Timonium! I have lived here more whole life and it is a great place. Timonium has plenty of restaurants, bars, fun activities, parks, etc.
Read 27 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• 10,557 Population

Pikesville

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 3.9 out of 5  70 reviews

Current Resident: Pikesville is a pretty small town, here, everyone knows everyone. You can run into someone you know at places like the Quarry or the mall. It comes with perks since my friends don't live very far. It takes a solid 5 minutes to get from point A to point B. However, there are a lot of snobby people that live around the area, but I just avoid them. There can sometimes be a lot of drama at school, but I stay out of it. There are a lot of Jewish people in Pikesville, myself included. I'm a part of this program that meets at a kosher pizza place in Pikesville to talk about Judaism and to not be afraid to be who you are. Overall the community is great.
Read 70 Reviews

• grade A

• grade B

• 33,486 Population

Catonsville

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 4.16 out of 5  135 reviews

Former Resident: Catonsville is a wonderful central point to be able to access just about every major city in Maryland. From Catonsville, you can get to Columbia, Baltimore, Westminster, Towson, and even Arundel in just about 25 minutes. The best part about Catonsville is the diversity of the area. It is a big Asian community but also a wonderful mix of Spanish, African American, and other small minorities. The area itself is laden with a lot of Asian marts and a bevy of unique restaurants and shopping. There is a little bit of everything for every person. I hope that everyone takes the time to visit out little city and enjoy its many wonders!
Read 135 Reviews

• grade A

• grade B+

• 41,547 Population

Cockeysville

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 3.77 out of 5  61 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived here on and off for over a decade. There are gated neighborhoods with big lots and privacy and other streets completely lined with cheap apartments. Schools and restaurant variety is great. Crime in certain areas is elevated, but low relative to most other areas in the county. Some businesses have issues staying open more than a few years, many with recurring thefts due to the wide variety of clientele in the area and availability of public transit. Only a handful of bars worth going to in the evening, which vary depending on the intended age group. Bars and restaurants worth going to usually have live music on weekends and overall affordable dining. Real estate is expensive and new listings are highly sought after. Variety of elementary schools. Middle school and high school are reputable with veteran staff.
Read 61 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• 21,038 Population

White Marsh

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 4.25 out of 5  16 reviews

Current Resident: Great community, new developments and shopping. Great family friendly communities. Close to several beaches, close to I95 and the express lane which make rush hour commutes easier. The variety of shopping options, dining choices, and night life possibilities are endless in White Marsh, nearby Towson and Baltimore City. One of the largest regional malls in the Baltimore area, the White Marsh Mall, is located 4 miles from our community, providing a diverse shopping experience, a variety of dining selections and services as well as a full calendar of entertaining activities. A selection of grocers are close by, such as, Giant Food, Weis Market, BJ’s Wholesale Club, and Walmart Supercenter. Within 3 miles of your community are great neighborhood favorites such as Red Brick Station, Kobe Japanese Steak and Seafood House and the classic Italian restaurant, Liberatore’s Restorante.
Read 16 Reviews

• grade A

• grade B+

• 9,216 Population

Perry Hall

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 3.9 out of 5  62 reviews

Current Resident: One of the biggest attraction about Perry Hall is the fact that it’s diverse. There are so many cultures that coexist in this area. This makes it a great place for people to be exposed to different aspects of various cultures. In addition, students are able to make friends from different races. Another good aspect about this region its’ recreational areas. For instance, there is a large park at HoneyGo. In this park, there is a massive playground for the children, picnic area, outdoor exercise equipments, stage for performers, paths to walk on, and even a library right next to it! The only factor that could make Perry Hall a better area is the food. Although there are a bunch of stores and restaurants around, if there were more places such as Korean BBQ, then it will build more attraction!
Read 62 Reviews

• grade A

• grade B+

• 28,266 Population

Garrison

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 4 out of 5  14 reviews

Niche User: I believe this area will begin to create new job opportunities and provide more fun places to discover.
Read 14 Reviews

• grade A

• grade B minus

• 8,309 Population

Owings Mills

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 4.01 out of 5  142 reviews

Current Resident: I like the overall area of Owings Mills because you have a lot of resources around you. Such as gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores, car dealerships, etc. I'd like to get the "squeegee boys" off the street where the Target is. I know drivers fear for their safety especially if they don't want their windows cleaned. It truly brings down the value price in Owings Mills. I feel like I'm in Baltimore City, I would rather have those boys apply for jobs because most of them are past their early teenage years. I also want the streets fixed because those pot holes are awful.
Read 142 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade C+

• 35,081 Population

Parkville

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 3.99 out of 5  82 reviews

Current Resident: I love Parkville! It is a wonderful community with great school, kind resident and there is businesses everywhere. Small businesses, corporate franchises, and in between. There is always somewhere to go or something to do. There is so many restaurant with amazing food and wonderful service to go with it. It truly is a caring community. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else!
Read 82 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• 31,451 Population

Arbutus

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 3.76 out of 5  29 reviews

Current Resident: I was born and raised in Arbutus and have always felt like it had a small town feeling! The location is optimal with quick access to several major roadways, a quick jump on 95 to get to downtown Baltimore, easy access to BWI, and several hospitals within a short distance.
Read 29 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• 19,292 Population

Carney

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 3.76 out of 5  37 reviews

Current Resident: Carney specifically is a quaint family oriented community tucked in the less desirable Parkville area, (IMHO). Equally mixed with retirement aged folks as well as young families. School system seem to be above average. Many places to dine and the downtown area is minutes away if that's your bag. My neighbors are very friendly and down to earth and for the most part we all help each other when needed. We probably will not retire in this area one day as we are attracted to a more rural and less hectic lifestyle but a great place for now.
Read 37 Reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• 30,289 Population

Rossville

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 3.54 out of 5  24 reviews

Niche User: Overall, this area is quiet and multi-cultural. There is a lot of diversity everywhere you go and is not more of one ethnicity versus another.
Read 24 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade C+

• 15,127 Population

Reisterstown

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 3.87 out of 5  67 reviews

Current Resident: Reisterstown is a diverse suburb of Baltimore, great for commuting with 795 to Baltimore and Washington DC. Lots of small businesses and a hometown feel, not too many big box stores, but a short ten-minute drive to them. One hour from DC, one hour from skiing and snowboarding, and unlimited outdoor activities within that hour. A short drive to BWI airport. Housing can be expensive yet there are many options of condos, townhouses, and single-family homes. There are several elementary schools with great teachers. There is one middle and one high school, great experiences for active and involved families. There are many residents that have been here for decades, which is great for any community. There is a core group of volunteers who work tirelessly to improve the area and Reisterstown was recently deemed one of Maryland's Main Streets. There are lots of good things here and still to come to the area.
Read 67 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade B

• 27,007 Population

Overlea

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 3.25 out of 5  16 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived in overlea for over a year now. My neighborhood is quiet and my neighbors are very nice. The houses are gorgeous, Victorian style and historic which I love. The schools have decent ratings which is a huge plus writhing the Baltimore county area. However, we do live close to a busy road. The traffic does not stop for my preschool aged son's bus which has been concerning to me. And, there is the occasional wanderer. I have had my car broken into once but to be fair I did leave my car unlocked after a trip to the grocery store. Other than that, I do feel safe and I enjoy the area. Whitemarsh mall is near by, there are a few different grocery stores to choose from, and 695 is easy to get to. Overall I am happy with our move.
Read 16 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade B minus

• 12,195 Population

Kingsville

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 4.5 out of 5  4 reviews

Current Resident: Suburban, although leans more on the rural side. Many farms and lots of open land. Right by a beautiful park. Schools are pretty good and many magnet high schools provide transportation to Kingsville students. I'd assume crime rates are very low here and most homes are private. Overall nice neighborhood, but there aren't a lot of stores nearby so, unless you need gas or want to eat at the Sunshine Grille, you'll need to drive 20 minutes into Perry Hall/White Marsh.
Read 4 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• 4,385 Population

Rosedale

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 3.84 out of 5  55 reviews

Current Resident: Rosedale is a great place to live especially where I live specifically. I like how it is less than 5 minutes away from all types of stores and fast foods such as Domions Pizza, Rite Aid, Bill Batemens and Auto Parts etc. Even if you need something quick such as a cleaning products you can go straight to the corner store and pick something up. What I would like to see change is the diversity there is primarily Caucasian people who live in Rosedale so I would like to see different races in Rosedale. Also, the schools are very nice and calm based on where I have went and see and other peoples perspectives.
Read 55 Reviews

• grade B+

• grade C

• 19,842 Population

Randallstown

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 3.64 out of 5  137 reviews

Current Resident: I love living in Randallstown because of all the potential it possesses. Randallstown is very culturally and ethically diverse with a rich history that I feel is underappreciated. This is a small community where neighbors and businesses have great chances to recognize faces and know each other's names. Randallstown is located in the center between Owings Mills, Pikesville, Lochern, Windaor Mill, Carroll County, and Howard County with easy access to everything. The residents are predominately affluent and of African-American descent. Randallstown could benefit by being invested in by large companies. There is definitely room for entertainment, as well as shopping, and living here is quite affordable in comparison to shine of the surrounding areas. I look forward to watching Randallstown continue to grow. There is room for it.
Read 137 Reviews

• grade B

• grade C+

• 35,528 Population

Woodlawn

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 3.55 out of 5  75 reviews

Current Resident: I grew up about 10 minutes from this area and, after living in various towns in Baltimore, I ended up buying a home here 2 years ago. Although I live very close to Rtes 40 and 70 (I love the location), my home is located on a side street in a VERY quiet residential community. I have wonderful and respectful neighbors and I really like the sense of community here. I have diverse neighbors and there are many families and home owners. Most properties are well maintained. This is a safe area, but if crime does occur, it is typically thefts of items from unlocked cars. This is a dog-friendly area. We feel safe walking our dog at night, but some street areas are not well lit. So, we try to avoid those areas at night, when possible.

The schools are not rated highly. I accepted this trade off because you get a pretty good value in square footage and amenities compared to more expensive areas close by such as Catonsville and Ellicott City.

We are very happy living here.
Read 75 Reviews

• grade B

• grade C

• 40,469 Population

Lochearn

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 3.39 out of 5  36 reviews

Current Resident: Quiet neighborhood with a short commute to Baltimore, close to shopping and dining in Pikesville. A lot of retirees, but also some younger families. Pretty diverse area where neighbors are friendly and help eachother out. Schools are just okay, but seem to be improving.
Read 36 Reviews

• grade B

• grade C

• 25,771 Population

Baltimore Highlands

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 2.91 out of 5  11 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived here for 2 years now. The schools are great. The neighborhood is a bit congested. It seems that way for most of homes here. The neighbors are friendly, close to the beltway and downtown Baltimore, Glen burnie. Overall I enjoy the area I live in however, just a few blocks away, the area can look pretty rough.
Read 11 Reviews

• grade B

• grade B minus

• 7,944 Population

Bowleys Quarters

• Suburb of Baltimore, MD
• Rating 4 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: Beautiful water atmosphere, lots of local restaurants with great food. People are nice for the most part. Plenty of parks and places to hang outside
Read 2 Reviews

• grade B minus

• grade C+

• 6,412 Population