Towson

Towson’s transformation from county seat to urban center accelerated dramatically in the last two decades. Towson Town Center remains one of Maryland’s premier malls—over a million square feet with Nordstrom, Macy’s, and increasingly sophisticated dining including the recently opened Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse. The $350 million Towson Row development added Whole Foods, two Hilton hotels, Maryland’s first Raising Cane’s, and Towson University’s StarTUp entrepreneurship center.

Towson University itself has become a major force. Recently named the top public university in Maryland by The Wall Street Journal, TU plans to invest over $1 billion in new and renovated facilities by 2030. The 23,000+ students add energy, dining demand, and rental market depth. GBMC HealthCare continues expanding its medical campus. Stanley Black & Decker maintains headquarters here.

The dining scene has genuinely leveled up. Baltimore city restaurants that would never have considered Towson a decade ago—Banditos, Nacho Mama’s, The Point—now have locations here. The chamber of commerce counts 92 restaurants within a one-mile radius. Fogo de Chão, The Melting Pot, Iron Rooster, Barrett’s Grill, and dozens more provide options from casual to upscale.

Schools remain a major draw. Towson High School, along with elementary and middle feeders, attract families who prioritize education. The Hampton National Historic Site provides historical anchor, and various parks offer green space.

Real talk: Towson has traffic. York Road, Dulaney Valley Road, and the Beltway interchanges can be frustrating during rush hours. But for people who want to be in the center of Baltimore County’s action, those are acceptable trade-offs.