Another vote for Locust Point. Quiet and safe, easy walk to restaurants and bars and cafes. Riverside is a bit more bustling, and Fed Hill can get rowdy if that’s your speed. All three are an easy hop onto 95.

Your priority needs to be parking. If you’re commuting to Columbia by car, having your own parking spot is a deal breaker. Street parking in Locust Point is a bit easier than Fed or Riverside, but in many areas you’ll be circling for blocks after 6pm.

As others have said, I’d avoid anything east of 83 or that would require going through the tunnel(s). Editing to clarify: the tolls through the tunnels add up fast, and can add a significant amount of time to your commute (speaking from experience).