Best place to retire: Mt. Vernon
Pros: Culture and history galore, central location.
Cons: Old housing stock, so lots of stairs.
Real estate: Houses on tucked away Tyson St. are still selling for under $250,000, and condos on Mt. Vernon Place are under $300,000.
In Baltimore, most condos are on the water in Federal Hill and Canton, but you might consider moving to Mt. Vernon, a historic jewel right in the middle of the city. The architecture is more Europe than Maryland.Walk fifteen minutes south to the Inner Harbor or fifteen minutes north for non-credit courses at the University of Baltimore. The symphony hall and opera house are nearby, and you can get senior discounts on subscriptions to the stately Walters Art Museum or the edgy Theater Project.
The 140-year-old Peabody Library, with its five stories of cast-iron balconies, is one of the most beautiful rooms on the East Coast. Stick around for free student recitals at Peabody Institute.
If you want a bigger house, head north to Mt. Washington. The village has a New England feel, with an organic grocery and several charming shops and restaurants clustered right by a light rail stop.
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