Overlea - Baltimore, MD

The region now known as Overlea remained undeveloped until 1858, when Margaret Fuller purchased 43 acres of land in the area. Slow growth ensued over the following decades, with a general store and school constructed in the 1880s. The community remained rural farmland until the turn of the 20th century, at which time real estate developers began dividing it to sell as individual plots. Overlea means “over the meadow,” a nod to the area’s topography. Similarly, developers named most neighborhood streets after trees, such as Spruce, Chestnut and Elm.

Along with most other suburbs across the United States, Overlea grew steadily through the 20th century, with a significant spike in growth after World War II, when suburban communities became more popular than urban centers. Overlea offers access to urban amenities and cultural institutions, including the Baltimore Museum of Art just northeast of downtown Baltimore.

Overlea provides dining options for all occasions, from casual weeknight meals to special nights out on the town. Nearly all of the culinary action revolves around Belair Road, the main thoroughfare through the neighborhood, which also houses the limited but charming nightlife scene just to the south. You may not find a raging party here, but several low-key bars and lounges satisfy most night owls.

A community favorite for casual dining, Bmore Burger Stack serves up juicy black Angus burgers and barbecue favorites from an unassuming storefront on Belair Road near Kenwood Avenue. Customers order food to take home, or, in the warmer months, to enjoy in the limited outdoor seating area, but the no-frills atmosphere belies a true dedication to delectable food. Regulars tend to get hooked on the first item they order, with many never getting past the classic double cheeseburger, charbroiled and served your way. Make sure to experiment with the new-school toppings, such as avocado and habanero salsa.

For a slower-paced meal in a casual environment, head to the Belair Beltway Plaza Shopping Center on Belair Road, where Arigato Hibachi & Sushi features sushi and Japanese stir-fry dishes. Diners love the specialty sushi rolls, particularly the Rock and Roll with shrimp tempura, cream cheese, smoked salmon, spicy mayo and teriyaki sauce. Make sure to save room for mochi ice cream for dessert. These round dessert balls come in various flavors, such as green tea and vanilla, and conclude a Japanese meal on just the right note.

A little later on in the evening, gather a few friends and head south to Birdland Sports Bar & Grill on Belair Road near Rosemont Avenue. True to its name, Birdland shows sporting events on big-screen TVs, with some of the best bar food around to supplement your viewing. The bar also hosts live jazz music and special happy hours, including shot specials on Fridays, throughout the week.

Geographically, Overlea straddles the border of Baltimore and its inner ring of suburbs, which makes travel to downtown and the greater metropolitan area easy. The Maryland Transit Administration operates the most extensive public transportation option: an affordable bus service running from 4 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. daily. Bus route 15 provides direct service to and from downtown Baltimore along Belair Road, with buses leaving every 15 minutes during peak times.

Most Overlea residents travel by car, and a trip downtown can take just under 20 minutes with no traffic. For commuters headed in other directions, the Baltimore Beltway lies just to the northeast of the neighborhood, with Interstate 95 just to the south. Local car services take riders nearly anywhere in the metro area; cabs can be reserved by phone but not hailed on the street in this neighborhood. Uber remains the quickest option, requiring just a touch of the screen of your smartphone to reserve a car.

The mature trees and rolling hills of Overlea render the community itself a vibrant green space, and joggers, bikers and dog walkers often take to the streets for exercise. Many homes also have extensive backyards or other outdoor spaces.

Several public parks provide ample trails and other recreation opportunities as well, including Linover Park and Holt Park, the latter of which features an amphitheater and a meditative labyrinth. Outdoorsy types also find peace and quiet to the northwest in Double Rock Park, where picnic areas and pavilions act as event venues, and the annual Easter egg hunt attracts families from across the area.

The overall cost of living in Overlea is slightly higher than the national average and slightly below the Maryland average. Renters can expect to send their landlords an average of almost $990 monthly.

Due to the neighborhood’s desirable location and attractive aesthetic, everyday items like groceries sell for slightly more than the national average. A beer at a local pub will set you back about $3, and cab service to downtown Baltimore costs nearly $20. Gas prices are about 8 percent higher than the national average.

Overlea and its adjacent neighborhoods count plenty of shopping destinations within their borders, and most people run daily errands without a trip outside the area. Though not great in number, the small businesses in Overlea provide unique services not found in every community. Shoppers should stick to Belair Road to find most stores. Most of the larger chains, such as Kmart, lying just north of the neighborhood.

An artistic staple of the Overlea community for decades, The Artists' Corner Stained Glass on Belair Road at Belhaven Drive promotes the art of stained glass with a welcoming and knowledgeable staff. Stop by for a consultation, to pick up a design book or to have a piece of glass restored to its former glory. The store also leads regular classes for all skill levels, so you can get your hands dirty and learn the craft behind the art.

A few minutes to the south on Belair Road, another specialty business assists cyclists with tuning and repair. Service Course Cycle Studio, also known as the neighborhood bicycle doctor, provides personalized service. Repair experts make sure every customer knows the ins and outs of the problem and the solution needed to repair it before taking action. They also happily provide parts for customers who prefer to complete the repairs themselves.

When it comes time to purchase groceries and other essentials, neighboring communities have large chains, such as Bi-Rite, as well as smaller stores, such as Mastellone's Deli & Wine Shop. Locavores willing to make the trek for farm-fresh food should take East Joppa Road to nearby Towson, where the Towson Farmers' Market operates on Thursdays between June and November.