I grew up locally in Timonium (where ‘pool season’ is an actual season) and spent my 30s in the ‘traditional’ downtown Baltimore CBD in buildings with pools as described. The advice given above is spot on. Currently live in downtown Towson and there are a half-dozen great options I’d be willing to recommend via PM but not trying to give away my specific location. This is my opinion and mine only, but unless you’re stuck on Baltimore, forget Harbor East/Canton/Federal Hill. May as well move to DC or NYC if that’s what you really want. Price difference for a higher-end studio or small 1br (based on what I think OP is describing) would be negligible.