Tuscany-Canterbury - Baltimore, MD

Tuscany-Canterbury gained its spot on the National Register of Historic Places in the early 2000s when a resident researched the town in hopes of publishing a historical account. The neighborhood was originally the site of the 17th-century Merryman Farm, and residential properties overtook the area during the development boom of the late-19th and early-20th centuries. Artful architectural gems from master creators, such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Laurence Hall Fowler and John Russell Pope, give this modernized neighborhood an antiquated glamour. The area's youthful arts scene satisfies the community's appreciation for culture and creative expression. Art galleries abound in nearby Hampden, and the Baltimore Museum of Art sits just south of Johns Hopkins.

Locals love coming together at the annual picnic at Calvert School, and don't miss Hampden's Miracle on 34th Street, a completely community-organized display of Christmas decorations and light shows.

Restaurants around Tuscany-Canterbury, especially University Parkway and Canterbury Road, satisfy the average college student's dining-out checklist. Cheap takeout staples, vegetarian food, ethnic restaurants and occasional-splurge eateries all lie within close proximity.

Miss Shirley's Café dishes out spirited Southern-style brunch for anyone who loves decadent comfort food. Locals pack the house for chicken and cheddar waffles topped with honey mustard aioli and peppadew-jalapeno butter. If you want an afternoon drink, have a Southern Ruby Crush with your coconut cream-stuffed French toast or fried green tomatoes.

Diners find the Indian cuisine and the ambiance alluring at Ambassador Dining Room. This upscale eatery makes its home in a renovated 1930s apartment, but locals who like to bask in the fresh air sit on the covered patio surrounded by a scenic garden.

Vegans and vegetarians rely on One World Café for flavorful adaptations of classic foods. Try the steakless Philly cheesesteak or a large wheat burrito stuffed with black beans, cheese and veggies. Die-hard burger fans can get their fix with a tofu, pecan and wild rice veggie burger topped with cranberry vegannaise. Locals like to hang out at the bar and lounge to chat or use the free Wi-Fi while having drinks or coffee.

Tuscany-Canterbury's residential setting doesn't host any clubs or concert venues, but you can easily find nightlife around Charles Village, Remington or downtown Baltimore. While many nearby restaurants have full bar service, locals often venture out to popular hangouts, such as Ottobar. The likes of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The White Stripes and Queens of the Stone Age have graced the stage at Ottobar, where music lovers gather for cheap drinks and hours of entertainment.

Public transportation serves the Tuscany-Canterbury well with multiple Route 11 bus stops along Charles Street. Locals closer to the west border go to the University Parkway stops to catch bus 22 or 61. You can walk over to the Johns Hopkins campus to hail a cab, but the area's many paved sidewalks and pathways are also well-suited for biking. Students can take advantage of shuttle services offered by the universities, such as the Johns Hopkins Blue Jay Shuttle and Night Ride.

If you own a car, be prepared to apply and pay for residential and guest permits for street parking in the neighborhood's southern half. Tuscany-Canterbury's location along Charles Street provides quick highway access, allowing you to ride Route 139 straight to downtown Baltimore and branch off to other major highways.

Tuscany-Canterbury residents and neighboring community associations foster green-space projects to create a suburban aesthetic within Baltimore's urban setting. Micro-parks in the area, such as Bishop Square and Guilford Gateway Park, provide small stretches of lawn where you can sit and read or stroll with your dog.

For a refreshing workout, lace up your running shoes and trek through Stony Run, a woodland trail that passes through about 15 neighborhoods and acts as a bridge between larger parks. This jogger's paradise features natural forestland growing alongside the Stony Run stream. The neighborhood hosts ongoing park cleanup events, historic tours and nature walks, introducing new residents to Stony Run's charms.

Locals with a taste for scenic elegance make regular trips to Sherwood Gardens near the neighborhood's east border. The site features historic 19th-century estate houses, stunning floral gardens and pristine lawns, where the public can enjoy a tranquil afternoon stroll free of charge. Adopt a plot, or attend the annual tulip sale to dig up fresh bulbs for your own garden.

Compared to Baltimore as a whole, Tuscany-Canterbury's pricier housing and food costs make it a moderately expensive area to live in. Residents pay a median rent of $1,222, and the gas prices in the area rise about 8 percent higher than the national average. Making trips to the city on public transportation costs about $3.50 daily, while ordering beer at local pubs costs $4 to $7 a pint.

Tuscany-Canterbury residents don't mind the neighborhood's lack of commercial enterprise because Hampden's trendy shopping district lies a few minutes west. Ongoing development at the historic Rotunda Shopping Center promises to bring a wide selection of stores and eateries to this one-stop spot.

In the meantime, take a shopping tour of West 36th Street for clothes, hardware, books and a host of guilty pleasures. If you're a 21st-century man with classic style, browse the vintage-inspired showroom at Sixteen Tons for blazers or grooming accessories to perfect your gentlemanly appearance. Fashionable ladies head next door to Doubledutch Boutique to buy retro-inspired kitten heels, scented candles and fanciful wall art.

Don't be surprised if Milagro's bright green storefront and eccentric window displays pull you in. This boutique of oddities sells everything from Mexican folk art to up-cycled housewares, and locals love to stop in to find jewelry and quirky gifts. Get lost in a color-filled emporium of knitting and crocheting supplies at Lovelyarns before exploring the latest indie page-turners at Atomic Books.

Locals frequent Giant supermarkets, especially the West 41st Street location, for competitive food prices, and the convenient hand scanners speed up the shopping experience when you're in a hurry. Picky shoppers may need to hunt for specialty ingredients at Whole Foods in Roland Park or one of the Safeway stores near central Baltimore. Get your fresh ginger root and artisan bread at the 32nd Street Farmers' Market, where you can listen to local musicians and eat decadent truffles while deciding which combination of leafy greens makes the best salad.