A Local's Guide to Living in Towson, Maryland | REAL Broker, LLC. (2024)

Written ByMalcolm Lawson

If you are moving to Maryland and unsure where to live, check out Towson, Maryland. Towson is a popular suburb offering a convenient, central location only 20 minutes north of downtown Baltimore. Additionally, Towson is only 30 minutes from the Baltimore/Washington International Airport. Towson provides high-quality private and public schools and easy access to renowned higher-learning institutions. Towson is also home to top-ranking hospitals such as the University of Maryland’s St. Joseph Center, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, and Sheppard Pratt Hospital. What’s great about living in Towson is the small-town atmosphere and the city’s historic charm. And for the college-bound, Towson is home to Towson University, Maryland’s second-largest university.

Cost of Living in Towson, Maryland

When I show people homes in Towson, they are a little surprised at first but soon realize that due to the benefits of living in Towson, it is understandable why homes are higher. The cost of living in Towson is 4.5% higher than the U.S. average and 6.5% higher than the average for Maryland. The median home is approximately $430,000, and renting a two-bedroom apartment, depending on the location, can range from $1,200.00 to over 1,800.00 a month. Renting a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home can run as high as $2600.00 a month.

Towson, Maryland Parks

Towson is home to some of the best parks in Maryland, including Forge Park, which consists of 7 acres. Forge Park offers athletic fields, tennis courts, restrooms, ball diamonds, and multipurpose courts. Other great parks include Glendale Park and Overlook Park. A local favorite is Towson Manor Park, which offers two play areas, play equipment, swings, and a cool rope area with different balancing activities, and pets are allowed. You can find a complete list of parks through the Baltimore County Parks Directory.

Schools in Towson, Maryland

For families with school-age children, Towson has excellent schools. The average school teacher’s salary is around $61,500 annually, with 14 elementary school students assigned to one teacher. There are seven public elementary schools, two middle schools, and three high schools. The high schools include Loch Raven High School, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, and Towson High School. The site Countyoffice.org provides a list of Towson’s public schools. If you are interested in private or charter schools, Towson has numerous long-established private schools. You can check out each school’s ranking at GreatSchools.org.

For all the parents out there who want their kids to attend college nearby, Towson is close to twenty colleges, including eleven private colleges, six public colleges, and three community colleges. And, of course, the famed Towson University is only a short drive from almost any neighborhood in town!

Best Restaurants in Towson, Maryland

Many people from across the country are moving to Towson, and one question I’m asked is, “What are some of the best restaurants in Towson?” This is a tricky question because there are so many good restaurants in Towson. One restaurant that consistently ranks high is Towson Tavern. You can get breakfast, lunch, and dinner here, and the Towson Burger and short ribs are amazing! Plus, for dessert, the Honey Graham Ice Cream is out-of-this-world!

Another local favorite is Bread & Circuses Bistro & Bar. The restaurant has good reviews and consistently delivers tasty dishes and wonderful service. They have delicious appetizers, and the fried oysters are a top seller.

If you are in the mood for Mexican food, try Nacho Mamas! The shrimp tacos are amazing, and the service is outstanding. You can’t beat the lively atmosphere either!

Things to do in Towson, Maryland

One of the best things to do in Towson is to explore Loch Raven Reservoir. The reservoir is a hiker’s paradise! As you hike the area, you will wind your way along the reservoir’s banks, and it is common to see all kinds of wildlife and birds like blue jays, bald eagles, and woodpeckers. The reservoir has many trees, including wild roses, maples, oaks, and flowering plants.

Another great place to enjoy the outdoors is Lake Roland. The lake spans 100 acres and provides a Nature Center filled with all sorts of natural objects, live animals, clean restrooms, and information on the local history. Lake Roland also offers year-round programs for all ages and summer camps. The trails are perfect for hiking, and the park even has a dog park.

The best way to get a feel for the storied past of Towson, Maryland, is to visit the Hampton National Historic Site. The Hampton National Historic Site is a great place to spend a few hours with the family, learning about the area’s history and seeing first-hand the spectacular late-Georgian architecture of one of the largest private homes in the country.

If you love riding bikes, cyclists will appreciate the scenic pathways along the Towson Bike Beltway. The Towson Bike Beltway winds throughout the city’s central road network, and you will undoubtedly see all kinds of exciting places to stop along the way.

Another pride and joy of Towson is Johnny Unitas Stadium, named after Baltimore Colts Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas; the stadium can seat over 11,000 fans. Guests of the stadium have access to several full-service concession stands, state-of-the-art ticket booths, a luxurious four-tier pressbox, and a fieldhouse. Fans can attend home games for Towson University football, track and field, lacrosse, NCAA Division events, and regional championships.

For the festival lover, a must-attend event is the Towsontown Festival. The Towsontown Festival is a five-star event known for its various food trucks, live music, beautiful surroundings, arts and crafts, and specialty items. It’s a great place to find one-of-a-kind gifts for the holiday season.

Shopping in Towson, Maryland

There are plenty of outstanding shopping venues when it comes to shopping. Residents and guests can satisfy all their shopping needs at the Towson Town Center, Towson Square, the Shops at Kenilworth, and Towson Place. The Towson Town Center is Baltimore County’s largest indoor mall, with four stories of shops. Towson Square is one of the newer local shopping venues, Kenilworth offers a more intimate, Bazaar-like shopping experience, and Towson Place is an older but renovated shopping center located near Joppa Road.

Moving to Towson, Maryland

Once you explore all that Towson offers, you will quickly understand why Towson is the most popular suburb of Baltimore. Towson offers both a college-town atmosphere and a family-centric vibe. Additionally, there are plenty of senior living options. If you are considering buying a home in Towson, I’d be happy to help.