As someone who grew up in NYC and moved to Baltimore recently. Step one, is to stop the mindset of "looking for NYC". Works for travel too. You wont get the pizza here, you wont get the bagels. Im a bodega Kaiser Roll breakfast guy, you wont get that here. I dont think ive seen a dirty water dog since ive been to Baltimore. When i miss nyc, i go back. If you plan on living in Baltimore for a long period of time, find what you like best about Baltimore. Overall, ive been more then happy with my move and look forward to staying.