Harford-Echodale-Perring Parkway - Baltimore, MD

Like much of the surrounding suburbs in Baltimore's northeast area, Harford-Echodale-Perring Parkway began as a rural community during the 18th and mid-to-late 19th century. As the city of Baltimore grew in the early 20th century and attracted wealth to the area, it began to annex many suburbs, including Belair-Edison, Overlea and Harford-Echodale-Perring Parkway, which explains the pleasant mix of suburban living and city convenience the area maintains to this day.

Those looking to spend a quiet afternoon enjoying art and history can head northwest to the James E. Lewis Museum of Art fon Argonne Drive. This public-accessible museum opens its doors Tuesday through Saturday each week and collects a variety of international and local artwork documenting how art reflects cultural shifts throughout history. Lectures and art collector meetings are hosted regularly, and exhibits rotate frequently.

Take a stroll south along Harford Road to marvel at the wide range of hip pub establishments and fine restaurants available. Whether you seek an upscale location for your next romantic rendezvous or a quick bite to eat, Harford-Echodale-Perring Parkway has you covered.

Those looking for a casual spot for late-night dinner or friendly get-togethers enjoy meet-ups at Valentino's Restaurant. Open 24-hours a day, this restaurant serves up comfort food like no other. For starters, try the Parmesan and garlic bread sticks, and finish off your meal with a hearty helping of sausage, peppers and other fresh ingredients served on top of picante marinara linguine.

For something a little more rugged with the flavor to match, try Big Bad Wolf's House of Barbeque. This establishment takes cues from well-known barbeque hot spots throughout the nation and brings them together under one roof. Try the Kansas City sweet sauce on a full rack of ribs, or coat an order of brisket in Texas pit sauce.

Step through the doorway of Lost in the 50s Diner to transport yourself back in time. This thematic diner provides patrons with friendly service and a classic diner menu. Stop by during breakfast for a piping hot cup of Joe alongside sunny-side up eggs. The dinner menu has a number of diner specialties, including the teeny boppers sliders and some of Baltimore's best cream chipped beef.

Harford-Echodale-Perring Parkway residents head to Hamilton Tavern for an evening of relaxing conversation and good drinks. Unwind after a long day at work with the extensive selection of craft beers in addition to full bar service. If you get hungry, the Crosstown Burger deserves its reputation as Baltimore's best burger. For more nightlife options, residents head to downtown Baltimore.

Routes 41 and 147 flank the neighborhood, running north and south to make travel into downtown or beyond the city a breeze. In addition to services such as Lyft and Uber, Baltimore's range of taxi cab companies provide residents with transportation throughout the city.

Public parking can be found freely on many of the area's residential streets. Harford-Echodale-Perring Parkway's major roads lack designated biking lanes, relegating cyclists to side streets. Those living near Harford Road find the area very walkable. The MTA services the area with bus stops along Harford Road and Northern Parkway.

Residents can head just northeast of the neighborhood to take advantage of the expansive green space and recreational fields provided in Double Rock Park. Bring your dog along on-leash to enjoy the scenic winding trails as they run through the area's 102 acres. Pack a picnic lunch to share with your family in one of the pavilion seating areas, or bring the kids to the playground. The park's numerous soccer fields make for a great place to play a pick-up game with some friends.

Head north of Baltimore to join in Maryland's largest open-air festival each year for the first weekend in May. The Towsontown Spring Festival's more than 400 vendors selling arts, crafts and food from local chefs, and there is an interactive kids' fun zone with a rock climbing wall, a carnival midway and more than 40 live acts featuring local and international performers.

The neighborhood's cost of living averages 4 percent above that of Baltimore overall. A typical one-bedroom apartment in Harford-Echodale-Perring Parkway costs about $790 per month to rent. A pint at most local pubs costs around $5, and gas prices in Baltimore are about 6 percent cheaper than the national average.

Harford-Echodale-Perring Parkway's southeastern corner along Harford Road contains a number of high-value shops and businesses in one convenient place, including Royal Farms, CVS Pharmacy, Redbox and the popular Hamilton Bakery. Local grocery stores include Hamilton Grocery Store, Harvest Fare and Green Onion Market.

Those looking to purchase locally grown produce can head into downtown Baltimore each Sunday between April and December to shop at Maryland's largest producers-only market. The Baltimore Farmers Market and Bazaar lines Holiday and Saratoga Streets with numerous vendors selling organic produce, fish fresh from the bay, farm-raised meats, local arts and crafts and much more.

Whether you're after appraisals or jewelry repair or looking to purchase some intricate new jewels of your own, Lakein’s Jewelers of Hamilton on Harford Road provide customers with friendly service and a knowledgeable staff. Bring in your wedding band to get it re-sized or have any inscriptions touched up. The store also sells watch batteries and provides watch and watch band repair services.

Both a cozy place to curl up with a book and a popular local cafe, Red Canoe just south of Harford-Echodale-Perring Parkway in Beverly Hills serves patrons warm soups and filling paninis while they browse the bookstore selections. In addition to new releases, Red Canoe contains a large used section full of hidden gems. If you can't wait to get home to enjoy your new purchase, a cup of Zeke's coffee and a luxurious chair by the fireplace should be all your need to get started.