first daughter in federal hill

The water cooler talk last Friday was all about the confirmed news that Jenna Bush will be moving with her soon-to-be husband to South Baltimore. Some people who work here and live in that area are wondering how this will change the neighborhood, if at all. Will that mysterious guy next to you at Cross Street Market be Secret Service? Will there be traffic jams in front of the house? What happens if the in-laws come for a visit?

Whatever people's feelings about the move, the general consensus seems to be that it's pretty cool for a couple who could live anywhere to choose Baltimore. In fact, thousands of people have moved into Baltimore from outside the city and the region over the past few years. Here in Downtown, the population has more than doubled. Still, there's a lingering sense among many natives that Baltimore is an also-ran... the homely step-sibling to glam spots like Washington or Philly.

IMHO, the more people move here the more Downtown Baltimore is starting to feel like those other cities. I've lived and worked Downtown since the early 90s and walking around is different now than it was even five years ago. There's more energy. Sidewalks are more crowded. The restaurant scene is sooo much better. There are more places to shop. I had a friend in town on Saturday. He went to college here two decades ago and has since lived in Manhattan, DC, and now Boston. He was blown away by all the changes.

-m.e.