Tiffany Underwood

Originally from Columbia, Tiffany Underwood came to Baltimore for the same reason many transplants have -- to go to school. And, as so often happens when it came time to plan for the future and graduate, she opted to stay in Baltimore.

"I fell in love and decided to stay after I was done," she says.

Over the next several years, Tiffany says she "lived all over the Baltimore Metropolitan area�Towson, Timonium, and Pikesville."·However, for the last several years, she's been passing time in Greater Lauraville. "the area is centrally located to my fianc�'s three main jobs. I don't live there yet, but will when we get married next October," she explains.

Though not an official resident, Tiffany says she might as well be given how frequently she's in the neighborhood. Her fianc� bought his house in Mayfield a little over four years ago. "We spend most of our time at his house and on this side of town, so the Hamilton love affair started around that time."

"I love that the neighborhood is full of open space and green lawns and trees, but that there's enough to do so that we don't feel like we're in the suburbs. We're close enough to downtown that we can get there quickly, but far enough away that we don't have to get swept up in the crowds of a huge event or a busy weekend if we're not in the mood. There's a welcoming artistic community in Hamilton, which benefits both of us being musicians," Tiffany continues.

"We love to go for walks when time affords, but regardless, can be found at the local watering holes as well," she adds.

The home of some of Baltimore's best eats

Although Tiffany admits that the neighborhood is short on locally-owned shopping opportunities, she has an inside track to one of the neighborhood's entertainment venues. "My fianc� is the music director of the Maryland State Boychoir, which bought the Cathedral Church of St. Matthew a few years ago and renovated it to become a performing arts center for the City of Baltimore. There are plenty of concerts there (by both the boychoir and other performance organizations).

Whether its time for a special evening out or just a casual dinner out, according to Tiffany, with the wealth of choices available in Greater Lauraville, there's no need to leave the neighborhood.

"For a 'fancy' dinner, we go to Chamelon Caf�. We've celebrated many a holiday or special occasion there. For more casual meals, we're often at Hamilton Tavern and also frequent The Parkside and Koco's Pub. I'll take a burger at Hamilton Tavern over almost anything else edible in the world. It's seriously life-changing. Friends of mine have also visited the Grind-On Caf� and Red Canoe for coffee and lunch-type things.

Smiling faces

Ultimately, it's the neighborhood's "friendly and familiar faces, beautiful historic houses, and the Hamilton Tavern burger," that make Greater Lauraville such a great place to live and hangout, says Tiffany.

She says she'd definitely recommend moving to the area. "I think that this whole corner of Baltimore is a nice departure from the hustle and bustle of downtown. I feel like a part of the city, but I also feel like a part of a smaller and more intimate community. New places to dine and spend one's time are popping up every time I blink, but I definitely think it's the best of both worlds when it comes to city living."