Take this from someone who moved to the area a year ago but would prefer not to live here, based on the parameters you laid out above (which nearly describes what I’d be looking for), Towson north to hunt valley or Catonsville/ellicott city are going to be your best bets. Sure not as many young people, but If you’re going to be having kids in the near future, better off in the burbs and most likely Lutherville timonium or ellicott city. Honestly, a lot of the young people are going to be bar people. You can always live in a suburb and join a league or something in the city.

I live in Catonsville area now. Moved here from Cleveland a year ago. I’ve been to downtown Cleveland as many times in the last year as I have been to downtown Baltimore. I’m not a bar person myself. I grew up in northern Baltimore county and have been dealing with this area for the better part of 40 years so I do have a solid grasp on what the area is like.

Now that I think about it, I’d even consider Severna park or Annapolis.