Baltimore, MD
some parts are cheaper than others. I love where I live, walk everywhere and a ton to do. My COL is higher in my area then others but I don't mind paying the money to live in a nice area with tons around.
What parts of Baltimore do you like?
I really enjoy the southeast and south part of Baltimore which is all along the Harbor (Where I live). Canton, Fells Point, Locust Point, Federal Hill and Brewers Hill come to mind. All of these locations offer everything you need within walking distance (Groceries, gym, shops, restaurants, sports, parks, etc.) Also, living along this stretch of Harbor you have access to the water taxi from March-December and if you buy a year long family pass ($150) you get unlimited year round taxi service to all points along the Harbor. This is a great way to travel and avoid traffic, paying for parking, etc. Most of the taxis run pretty early to pretty late and come every 20 minutes or so. We utilize them to go downtown, Ravens/Orioles games, etc. This part of the city is also full of young professionals and families and has been rehabbed a ton over the past 20 years. You can still find good deals on rents but the area is higher COL compared to other parts of the city.
Depending on what your lifestyle is like, Mt. Vernon is in Downtown area and is considered the Cultural epicenter of the City. Lots of Colleges, theaters, Symphony, museums, etc. Most houses are HUGE and have been converted to 20 apartment units. Hampden is another upcoming area that is pretty Hipster and trendy. Lots of shops, restaurants and music. Lower COL area but it is in the north/northwest part of the city so farther away from downtown and all that comes with it. The farther north you go toward the county, there is more of a suburban vibe as you can get stately old homes with good amount of land. This is also where all the very expensive private schools are located.
Overall, I would say that Baltimore is a great city and has a lot to offer. Like any city, it really depends on your lifestyle and what you want but you can be mustachian in Bmore.