Moving to Maryland

[melv]

probably Baltimore - we are looking for an urban neighborhood that is clean, culturally diverse, self-sustaining (i.e. lots of individually owned businesses), excellent schools (we have small kids) and forward thinking.

We are probably what you would call middle class and we aren't looking to buy a huge house. Already got caught trying to keep up with the Jones's once and it left an empty feeling in our stomachs. We're more interested in developing long lasting community relationships and putting down roots. Everyone is so spread out where we live now and confined to their back yards which are surrounded by 6 foot privacy fences.

Any advice on good neighborhoods to investigate is greatly appreciated. We are sick to death of living in the vast, red Midwest!