Washington Hill

Washington Hill is a neighborhood in the southeast region of the city and is defined by East Pratt Street, South Broadway, East Lombard Street, Washington Street, East Fayette Street and North Central Avenue. The neighborhood has a good mix of residential, commercial and educational uses. Homes here are typically detached single- family row homes, which are found in many parts of Baltimore as well as multifamily apartment buildings.

Residents are lucky to have both the City Springs Park and The Betty Hyatt Community Park located here. There are a number of schools located within the neighborhood including the Baltimore Freedom Academy, City Spring Elementary School, Saint Michaels School and the Kennedy Krieger School. In addition, Johns Hopkins University’s School of Medicine has facilities located here. Public transportation is available with numerous bus stops being located on the main streets. Shopping and restaurant options are available, but are somewhat limited, so residents will want to venture out for those activities. There is at least one place to worship within the neighborhood.

Like many neighborhoods in large cities, crimes against people and property can occur at any time and crime rates can vary from street to street and day to day. As always, check recent crime statistics to make an informed decision on any neighborhood you are considering living in or visiting.

Overall, I like the neighborhood at its location. Many will like the proximity to both the Inner Harbor and Johns Hopkins University.

Built to house returning solders following the Civil War, Washington Hill soon attracted families from all over the country, and indeed all over the world as more and more people poured into the coastal city looking to make their fortunes.
Today Washington Hill can best be described as “economically and culturally diverse.” On the one hand, two large scale housing projects dominate its landscape, attracting much of the poverty and crime that often accompany such structures. On the other hand, there are also several apartment and condominium complexes that cater to some of the wealthier citizen of Baltimore. In between there are some remaining historic homes that are in various states of repair. This variety of housing attracts a variety of people from differing cultural and racial backgrounds, including everyone from long term African American residents to newly arrived Hispanic immigrants. Though the area has a higher than national average unemployment rate, it is still is not nearly as bad as some other parts of town.
There are several schools in Washington Hills, including the well-respected Baltimore Curriculum Project Charter School. There is also City Springs Park, which is attached to a formerly failing but recently improving public elementary school by the same name.