City Living Made Easy in Canton

On a steamy August afternoon, the Live Baltimore staff gathered in Canton to understand what makes one of Baltimore’s most popular neighborhoods just so attractive.

Sandwiched between Patterson Park and the harbor, Canton has consistently been one of the “hottest” real estate markets in Baltimore City. Between its waterfront views, convenient walkability (the community has a walk score of 97 out of 100), and abundant housing inventory, Canton is a sure bet. Thank you to all of the Canton neighbors who joined us that afternoon: Suzi, Rebecca, Deborah, Virginia, Jon, Chris, Susan, John, Steph, and Clayton.

Ample Amenities

“There’s access to Patterson Park, and then, of course, on the other side, we have the water. It’s just beautiful.”

–Suzi

Canton is home to many amenities that make city living easy. O’Donnell Square Park is the neighborhood’s focal point, welcoming locals and visitors alike to eat, shop, and enjoy events such as concerts, clothing and seed swaps, and a holiday toy drive—not to mention plenty of places to stay warm on a snow day. Safeway sits within walking distance of many homes. The Shops at Canton Crossing include 30+ retail locations in a single complex. The first branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library opened in Canton in 1886, and the building remains a bustling Pratt branch today.

Access to green spaces is unparalleled in Canton. Canton Waterfront Park is an eight-acre public space with trails for walking or jogging, grounds for picnicking, and a Baltimore Harbor Connector stop. The park also serves as a venue for beloved events such as WTMD’s First Thursday concerts in the summer and the aquatic portion of AVAM’s Kinetic Sculpture Race in May. Just across the neighborhood’s northern boundary lies Patterson Park, the beloved 137-acre “backyard” of Baltimore, home to playgrounds, athletic facilities, community gardens, a public pool, and landmarks such as the Boat Lake and Observatory. During our conversation, several neighbors highlighted Patterson Park events, such as Park After Dark camping and the Great Halloween Lantern Parade, as some of their favorite Baltimore moments.

A major draw for Canton families is the award-winning school, Hampstead Hill Academy (HHA). This neighborhood public charter school, part of the Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) family of schools, serves 900+ students in grades Pre-K through 8. HHA boasts one of the most diverse student populations in the city, high levels of neighborhood engagement, and a strong student retention rate. Neighbors Rebecca and Steph said that the strong public school was a major factor in retaining their families.

Architectural Gems

Canton is a dense neighborhood that offers traditional brick rowhouses as well as new construction and waterfront living. Once a hotbed of industry, the area retains its historic charm with large commercial buildings such as the Atlantic-Southwestern Broom Company and The Can Company that have been transformed into condos, offices, and retail.

Canton is also known for its prevalence of rooftop decks. According to an article in the Baltimore Banner, more permits have been issued in Canton than all other neighborhoods west of downtown combined. Canton residents can enjoy views of the city’s July 4^th and New Year’s fireworks from their roof, saying hello to their neighbors from three stories above the street.

Unmatched Neighbors

Although the historic architecture, ample green space, and walkability are huge draws, everyone we met on this outing agreed that the residents are the best part of Canton living. From porch hangs to text chains, Canton neighbors know and look out for each other. They often pick up their neighbors’ packages and greet their neighbors’ dogs. The Canton Community Association coordinates many initiatives to advance neighborhood safety, greening, and cohesion.

“I think truly, the neighbors are unmatched here, the way we look out for one another… no matter what’s going on, the neighbors “got” you and I feel like that’s a super important, key piece of living in the city that you don’t get in the suburbs.”

–Susan

Proximity to bars and restaurants makes it easy to socialize with neighbors. Many Canton residents live just down the street from watering holes where they become regulars. Deborah is a fixture at the karaoke bar, Walt’s Inn. She said the relationships she’s built there and across Canton are invaluable. She’s become a familiar face and knows her Canton neighbors will look out for her.

“You become a familiar face. You know people, and they know you, and they genuinely like you. I just love this community for that.”

–Deborah

On our walk, we popped into a neighborhood favorite, HappyJack Tavern, where co-owners Najat and Drew shared that the warm welcome they’ve received in Canton has been astounding. “The people here make this place,” they said.

We hope you enjoyed learning all about the Canton neighborhood. You can view more content from our tour in our Facebook Album. Learn more about Baltimore City’s 250+ unique neighborhoods on our Neighborhood Page. Want to give us a tour of your neighborhood? Email us at hello@livebaltimore.com to set up a Live Baltimore staff visit. We can’t wait to meet you!