Lakeland

A neighborhood in south Baltimore, the Lakeland neighborhood is on some of the oldest land in Baltimore City. Settled by 1675, the area was purchased by Charles Carroll of Carrollton and consolidated into his Georgia Plantation in 1732; in 1733, portions were deeded to the Baltimore Iron Works Company. From this time through the 19th century, a small community of brick homes sprang up, first named Minersville and later named Lakeland.
Today, Lakeland still has much of the charm it earned through the 19th and 20th century. It is one of the few truly integrated neighborhoods, almost evenly divided between whites and African-Americans. With median income above that of the city as a whole, Lakeland is one of the more prosperous areas of Baltimore. Housing is more expensive than in much of Baltimore, with housing prices and rents being above the city-wide medians. While attractive because of its relatively low crime and good schools, for those on a budget (especially singles and young families) may want to look at other areas of Baltimore first. The neighborhood is convenient to the main highways of MD-295, I-695 and I-95. It is also on Baltimore's main bus routes, so getting into downtown is not difficult. For those who want to commute to jobs outside the city area, the MARC line is nearby.