Oakenshawe - Baltimore, MD

Oakenshawe's historic neighborhood underwent rapid housing development in the late 19th century and early 20th century, leading to its diverse architectural character. As Baltimore developed as a major college destination, Oakenshawe's central location attracted those looking for education and employment. Galleries heavily populate the Charles Village and Hampden areas, and visitors from across the state flood in to visit the Baltimore Museum of Art.

Oakenshawe's dining scene around Greenmount Avenue and St. Paul Street reflects the area's college-town vibe, appealing to busy students and professionals looking for hearty American cuisine, cafe fare and cheap takeout. A few ethnic restaurants also serve the area, but they might not pass a hardcore foodie's authenticity test.

Pete's Grille embodies the quintessential neighborhood diner, delivering a no-frills experience to brunch-loving urbanites. Locals pile into this cash-only, counter-style restaurant to snag a coveted barstool, so don't be discouraged if you have to wait 15 to 20 minutes with other standing patrons. Diners move through quickly, loading up on chicken and waffles, western omelets, home fries and chocolate chip pancakes. The restaurant offers specials regularly and also serves lunch items, such as burgers and Reuben sandwiches. Locals get their fill of Indian cuisine at Masala Kitchen's lunch or dinner buffet. Devour round after round of dhal curry, chana masala and tandoori chicken while the servers keep the fresh naan coming to your table. Vegetarians can easily find something to love on the large main menu, which includes popular foods such as papri chaat and mango lassi. Chef John Shields describes the cuisine at Gertrude's as Chesapeake style, a combination of East-coast flavors and down-home cooking. The chef uses farm-to-table ingredients to put out delectable plates of corn fritters, crab cakes and stuffed rockfish. Stop by for brunch to sample the eggs Benedict and crab quiche, and finish off a hearty meal with Gertrude's candy bar, a chunk of chocolate mousse topped with caramel and hazelnuts.

Bar hoppers in search of nightlife explore Charles Village south of Oakenshawe. For 30+ years, Charles Village Pub has whipped up seafood, wings and burgers to complement the restaurant's tasty selection of bottled and draft beers. Low-key city dwellers choose WC Harlan as their favorite watering hole. The inconspicuous location and dimly lit interior create a laid-back speakeasy feel, and the low-cost cocktails suit a college-student budget.

Ottobar is the area's prime music venue, drawing in a regular crowd for drinks, live bands and karaoke. If you're a lover of classical music, introduce yourself to contemporary greats ranging from pianists to string quartets at Johns Hopkins' Shriver Hall concert series.

Oakenshawe's well-connected location allows residents to use public transportation to travel locally or maintain employment in other cities. Buses 3 and 8 provide service to the city center, or you can take Quick Bus 48 to save time. When running short-distance errands or heading to classes in the daytime, many locals prefer to travel by foot or bike on the neighborhood's easily navigable streets. Taxis also frequent the college and downtown areas, allowing you to snag last-minute transportation.

Five commuter bus routes link Baltimore to major destinations such as Washington, D.C., and the majority of those routes have stops at the main Johns Hopkins campus. Locals catching a flight out of town take a 15-minute bus ride or Johns Hopkins shuttle to Penn Station, where they can transfer to a MARC train or light-rail train to reach BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Oakenshawe residents have to apply for permits, including guest permits, to park cars on the street. When exploring the city, locals drive down Route 139 or 45 to reach central and east Baltimore. Both highways lead to Route 1 and other connections, making it easy to leave Baltimore without navigating back streets.

The area's closest green spaces, such as Guilford Gateway Park and Chestnut Hill Park, consist of modest lawns for walking, exercising, or socializing. Students, staff, and passersby often sit in one of the Johns Hopkins campus quads to eat lunch or study in a scenic environment.

Visit Wyman Park Dell in Charles Village to race your bike down paved paths, bring children to the playscape, and take the dogs out for a run. A stone wall and dense trees provide boundaries to keep pooches reigned in, and the social atmosphere makes Wyman a hangout spot for locals who like to chat or jog with a friend.

The annual Charles Village Festival takes place at Wyman, treating the community to live bands, tasty local cuisine, and arts and crafts events. Sign up for the traditional 5K race to boost your sports cred.

Living expenses in Oakenshawe mirror the city average, but residents encounter slightly higher housing costs. You should budget for an average rent of $1,280 per month when checking out one-bedroom apartments. Trips to central Baltimore by public transportation cost about $3.50 a day, while local gas prices exceed the national average by approximately 8 percent. When you want to kill time at nearby pubs, plan to pay $4 to $6 for a pint of beer.

Eclectic shopping districts in greater Charles Village, Waverly, and Hampden accommodate Oakenshawe's mixture of residents. Staple franchises, such as Rite Aid, Barnes & Noble and Family Dollar, keep competitive pricing alive, but the area gets its character from its diverse boutiques and specialty shops.

On weekends, resident bookworms gather at The Book Thing of Baltimore, a free magazine- and book-sharing venue where anyone can donate or claim literary gems. The owner and volunteer staff keep this treasure trove overflowing with indie books, textbooks, children's classics and even contemporary bestsellers, providing the masses with unhindered access to literature. All books have non-resale stamps to support this nonprofit venture, and locals suggest bringing a tote bag or box to carry home your latest reads.

For great prices and brand-name merchandise, step into the Too Good to Be Thru consignment boutique on Charles Street. Located near the art and entertainment district, this shop offers only styles that are less than two years old. From skirts, dresses and handbags to belts and jewelry, this shop has something for everyone. At Trohv, shoppers browse for quirky gifts, vintage home decor and handcrafted furnishings.

Buying groceries in the area can be as simple or specialized as you need. Large franchise stores, such as Giant in Waverly and Safeway in Charles Village, stock your go-to foods, while University Market sells affordably priced commercial and cooked foods in south Oakenshawe.

Stop by Punjab Groceries to find halal meat or the perfect spices for your curry recipes. Enjoy a vegetarian wrap while shopping for gluten-free products at Eddie's Market. Reserve your Saturdays to support Maryland's dedicated agrarians at the 32nd Street Farmers Market.