Lansdowne-Baltimore Highlands - Halethorpe, MD

A location carrying many local urban legends, the English Consul can be found in the Baltimore Highlands. Originally owned by William Dawson, the first English consul to Maryland long remained central to the Lansdowne-Baltimore Highlands area as a burgeoning community grew up around it. In 1909 a developer purchased the estate and transformed a majority of the surrounding lands into further subdivisions and residential neighborhoods, turning Lansdowne-Baltimore Highlands into what it has become today.

Head northeast into downtown Baltimore to check out the frequently updated exhibits and art galleries of School 33 Art Center. Featuring a number of audio/visual, photographic and canvas displays, the art center provides patrons with curated work from local and internationally renowned artists.

Once home to Charles Carroll, a wealthy barrister and plantation owner in Baltimore, the Mount Clare Museum House documents colonial-era Maryland with an informative exhibit of past documents and artifacts.

With the vibrant nightlife and hip new restaurants of Baltimore just to the north, locals have many options to choose from when it comes to local entertainment. That said, Lansdowne-Baltimore Highlands locals know they don't have to travel all the way into the city to find some of the best flavors the Baltimore area can provide.

Seafood has a long and storied tradition in Baltimore, thanks to Chesapeake Bay, and G & M Restaurant on Hammonds Ferry Road can show you why. The restaurant claims to serve the best crab cakes in Maryland, so give the signature dish a try. Be sure to save room for dessert, as the decadent brownie cheesecake is well worth the price.

Transporting you out of Maryland and into the Hawaiian islands, the food served at Taste of Aloha makes regulars out of many Lansdowne-Baltimore Highlands residents. Not sure what to order? The kimchi tacos and molokai sliders both make for authentic and filling meals. Stop by before dinner to save a few bucks by ordering the plate lunch.

The sauce-soaked meals at Bonfire Outdoor Charcoal Grill make the trip into nearby Halethorpe well worth it. This small establishment takes its smoked meats seriously, serving a number of homemade sauces alongside classics, including the spicy tiger sauce. Rib lovers won't be disappointed if they order a rack. The patio seating makes for a great place to sit out in the sun while you enjoy your meal during the warmer months.

Many locals travel north along Benson Avenue to join in the electric energy of Fish Head Cantina. With great local seafood, sushi, a dance floor and live music on the weekends, there's always something to do. Catch the latest Orioles game by the bar, and if the game doesn't go your way, blow off some steam at the pool tables or dart boards. Corn hole can be played outside during the summer. Stop by between 6 and 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays to take advantage of the great deals on domestic bottles.

Interstates 695 and 895 run through central Lansdowne-Baltimore Highlands, providing residents with transportation options in any of the cardinal directions. In addition to ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft, Baltimore's range of taxicab services provide transportation throughout the city and beyond. Call ahead if you want a cab, as hailing one in the area can prove difficult.

Public parking is freely available along most of the area's residential streets. Cyclists should stick to the side roads, as a majority of the major roads in the area lack designated biking lanes. Lansdowne-Baltimore Highlands residents should plan to rely on a car to get around, though those looking to commute into the city can take advantage of the bus stops placed throughout the area, including along Annapolis Road and Hollins Ferry.

Found centrally in northern Lansdowne, Hillcrest Park provides locals with a number of ways to enjoy a day in the sun without traveling far from home. Take your pooch along on-leash for a scenic walk down the nature trails, or enjoy a picnic lunch in the pavilion area while your kids play on the nearby playground.

Fishing spots are available on the stream that runs through the center of the park, and if your kids are budding anglers, make sure to enroll them in the annual Lansdowne Fishing Rodeo that takes place in June at the Hillcrest Park pond. Kids between the ages of 2 to 17 compete to catch a fish named Walter as well as other fish, including bass and catfish. Enroll your kids in the park's fishing class to prepare them for the big event.

The cost of living in the Lansdowne-Baltimore Highlands area averages around 7 percent higher than in Baltimore overall. One month's rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the area costs around $850. A 24-hour MTA pass good for both the Baltimore bus and metro service costs $3.50. Beer in local pubs costs around $5 for a pint, and gas prices in the area trend about 2 percent below the national average.

Locals head to the Hollinswood Shopping Center to get a number of errands knocked out in one trip. The shopping center collects a variety of stores in one convenient location, including Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, Dollar General and Dollar Tree. Those looking for department stores and shopping malls only need to drive west into Halethorpe. Other local grocery stores include a Walmart Supercenter, 7-Eleven and Royal Farms. The sheer number of vendor stalls within the Patapsco Flea Market makes the trip north into Cherry Hill worth it. Whether you're after discounted electronics, appliances, consignment clothing, accessories or name brands, you can find what you're looking for at this community marketplace. Filled with vintage clothing, the Debois Textiles Mill Outlet on Washington Boulevard in Baltimore should not be passed up if you're looking for unique pieces. Buy your fabric in bulk here during the frequent sales, or turn to the bins and racks organized by style and type of clothing to begin the hunt for that perfect outfit. Maryland's largest producers-only market, the Baltimore Farmers Market & Bazaar fills Saratoga and Holiday streets with dozens of local vendors each Sunday between April and December. Stop by to purchase fresh fish, organic crops or arts and crafts made by local producers.