Page 16 - Baltimore County Quality of Life Guide and Business Directory

SO MANY
NEIGHBORHOODS
Diversity, variety, family fun contribute to County’s personality
From rowhouse neighborhoods to horse farm estates, from waterfront dining to farmhouse fried chicken
and from bustling malls to tucked-away specialty shops, Baltimore County offers residents, employers and visitors choices and opportunities galore.
Geographically, politically, ethnically
and economically diverse, the County is home to more than 800,000 people spread over the 600 square miles that wrap around Baltimore City. Similar to the city, Baltimore County is a collection of specific communities, each with its own flavor and highlights. Here are some of them:
Dundalk/Essex/Middle River
Twenty-four communities and 18 parks, many with water access and marinas,
form this eastern sector of the County. Baltimore County Community College has three campuses, two of which, Dundalk and Essex, are in the eastern half of the County. Housing ranges from rowhouses
to traditional suburban to contemporary waterfront. All areas have ready access to Baltimore City, I-95 and I-695, and even the Chesapeake Bay via Middle River.
Family-Friendly Feature: North Point State Park on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay
Catonsville/Arbutus
Catonsville’s traditional downtown, which runs along Frederick Avenue, establishes
the personality for this west side
enclave. Beautiful old homes
mingle with new developments
in an area that is also accessible
to I-95, I-695 and BWI Thurgood
Marshall International Airport.
The area is home to the University
of Maryland, Baltimore County and the Catonsville campus of Baltimore County Community College. Nearby Halethorpe is a stop on the MARC train line to Washington and the home to Heavy Seas Brewery, which offers regular tours and tastings.
Family-Friendly Feature: Number Nine Trolley Line Trail, a 1.5-mile scenic foot trail that leads from western Catonsville to Ellicott City
Towson
Towson is the center of Baltimore County and the County seat. It’s also home base
for 20,000 Towson University and Goucher College students, who add verve and vibrant culture to the area. Towson’s public face is enjoying a makeover, with new commercial, residential and mixed-use developments in progress. The long-delayed Towson Row project at the town’s southern gateway along York Road is back on track to provide housing, restaurants and office space. Towson Square and Circle East provide entertainment within walking distance for many residents, and Towson Commons is welcoming new merchants.
Family-Friendly Feature: Hampton National Historic Site, an 18th-century Georgian mansion and estate operated by the National Park Service
Lutherville/Timonium/ Cockeysville
Lutherville is a historic northern suburb of Towson with classic homes and spacious yards — just off bustling York Road with its wide range of shopping venues and restaurants. Farther north, Timonium and Cockeysville have a true suburban feel, with a wide mixture of housing options. The area is also home to the headquarters of several large businesses located just
off I-83. The Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium hosts events throughout the year, including home and garden shows, crafts festivals, horse races and the end-of- summer state fair.
Family-Friendly Feature: Fire Museum of Baltimore in Lutherville
14 Quality of Life Guide and Business Directory
COMMUNITIES