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One of the most underrated properties in Monopoly is Baltic Avenue. For the longest time, I have deemed this property useless. But recent discoveries have driven me to think otherwise.
If you play Monopoly’s UK edition, you’ll likely be lost in this article. But don’t worry; I’ve got you. For players who use the UK board, Whitechapel Road is the UK counterpart of Baltic Avenue. You can find the property on the third space of the Monopoly board.
Baltic Avenue is famous for being the second property on the Monopoly board. Like other properties on the board, it comes in a group. However, it is only similar to Boardwalk and Park Place, as it is the only color set with two properties, second to the Dark Blue properties.
In simpler terms, Baltic Avenue and Mediterranean Avenue, usually called Brown properties, are the only others on the board with just two properties.
Part of the Brown properties is the Mediterranean Avenue. Although part of the same color set, Baltic and Mediterranean rents differ. Baltic Avenue charges double the rent of the Mediterranean.
Another reason for my obsession with this property is that you can buy it on the first turn, unlike the Mediterranean. From GO, if you roll 3, you can buy Baltic Avenue immediately.
But that can never be the case with Mediteranean, especially when using the standard two dice for the game. It may be possible if you decide to use one dice, which is unusual.
This guide will teach you about Baltic Avenue, its cost, value, and possible strategies to maximize the property’s potential.
Suggested read: Boardwalk in Monopoly – Is It Worth It?
Quick Facts About Baltic Avenue
- Baltic Avenue is the second property on the Monopoly board.
- Counting from GO, it is the third space on the board.
- Baltic Avenue is the cheapest property on the Monopoly board
- Baltic Avenue charges the second least rent on the board.
- Baltic Avenue is the same as Whitechapel Road on the UK Monopoly edition.
What is Baltic Avenue in Monopoly?
Baltic Avenue is one of the properties on the US Monopoly edition. It is one of the cheapest properties on the Monopoly board, and players often overlook it because of its low value.
This property is found on the third space on the board and is the second property on the Monopoly board. Although this property is cheap and neglected, it can greatly threaten other players if adequately utilized.
What Color is Baltic Avenue in Monopoly?
Baltic Avenue is also known as one of the brown properties on the Monopoly board. If you can’t find Baltic Avenue on your Monopoly board, you’re likely playing on the UK version, where it’s known as Whitechapel Road.
The Monopoly board has many color-coded properties, which are recognized universally on most versions of the Monopoly board.
On many versions of the Monopoly board, Baltic Avenue is Brown. Sometimes this color can differ in shades. But you must know that it is among the first properties on the Monopoly board.
The Property deed cards of Baltic Avenue also have a brown color. Its design was to enable players quickly identify which title deed cards belong to the same group.
Among the pile of property deed cards, if you pick one with a section painted brown, check to see if it’s Baltic or Mediterranean Avenue.
How Much is Baltic Avenue in Monopoly?
As earlier mentioned, Baltic Avenue is the second cheapest property on the Monopoly board. It costs $60 to buy Baltic Avenue on the standard Monopoly board.
If you glance through the board, you’re likely to notice that no other property costs as little as the Brown properties.
The only set of properties close to the Brown properties in price is the Light Blue Properties. The Light Blue properties cost $100 and are on the same lane as the Brown properties. So yes! The Brown and Light Blue properties are the cheapest on the Monopoly board.
How Much Does Rent in Baltic Avenue Cost?
If you just bought Baltic Avenue and have high expectations, kindly lower them. Rent in Baltic Avenue costs just $4, the lowest next to Meditteranean, which costs $2.
Earlier in the game, collecting rent from these properties can seem to be a waste of time and effort. It can get stressful because finding smaller denominations of money can be really exhausting.
However, things can get interesting later in the game when the owners of Baltic Avenue get to build multiple houses or even a hotel.
- Rent – site only – $4
- Rent with 1 house – $20
- Rent with 2 houses – $60
- Rent with 3 houses – $180
- Rent with 4 houses – $320
- Rent with Hotel – $450
Suggested read: How To Win Monopoly In 20 Seconds
Strategies For Baltic Avenue
Strategies are my favorite part of every game. I like to be intellectually ready to beat anyone I play with. A gaming strategy can give you an edge while playing Monopoly with your friends, colleagues, or family.
There’s a saying that goes… “whoever fails to plan, plans to fail.” So it’s vital to have a plan on how to win the game even before the start of the game.
There are several strategies to try out in Monopoly, but the Baltic Avenue strategy is one your opponents won’t see coming. To fully utilize this strategy apply the following steps.
Buy a Brown Property
So at the start of the game, you only have one goal; to buy either Baltic Avenue or Meditteranean Avenue.
This part of the game is vital to your use of the strategy. If you cannot get either property, you can either restrategize or try to buy one of them for $100 from another player. No one should be able to resist that offer.
Buy a Second Brown Property
Now, if you can buy one of either property, you can deal with the player with the second property of this color set. When you have a deal and own both properties, you advance to the next step.
Engage and Buy
I call this part of the strategy ‘Engage’ because this is when you fully participate in the game. You attack while other players struggle to complete their color set or get enough money to build their expensive houses.
This part of the plan is crucial to your success using this strategy. Houses in the Brown properties cost only $50, so it’s an easy buy. At this point in the game, assuming you bought only two other properties besides the Brown properties, you should have about $1000 left.
Buy houses instantly. With $500, you can buy ten houses evenly shared between both properties, which becomes a hotel. It becomes one hotel on each Brown property.
While other players struggle to get their desired properties, they must go around the board. And this presents an excellent opportunity for you to milk their pockets.
Remember that five houses on Baltic Avenue cost $500; that’s $50 per house. Buying the properties cost $120, that’s $60 per property. Total expenses on investment is $620. That’s not a lot of money to spend on acquisitions.
Reward
As every investor looks forward to a time to reap profits, you should wait patiently to reap the rewards of following this strategy closely.
Once another player lands on Baltic Avenue, you instantly collect $450 for rent.
That’s about a 73% return on investments on both properties. If we calculate for just Baltic Avenue, That’s 141% return on investment. Isn’t that amazing? On your first rent collection, you collect more than you invested in Baltic Avenue.
And if luck is on your side, many players could fall into this nicely set trap and bring you many returns. Proceeds from Baltic Avenue can develop or buy other properties.
The uniqueness of this strategy is that many players underestimate Baltic Avenue. They see no value in it, and you could use this to your advantage.
When you fully develop the Brown properties, focus on your next set of properties. All you need is one other set of properties, and you’re okay.
However, avoid properties on the Green and Dark Blue color sets. These properties are expensive to develop and could slow you down in the game.
Remember that the aim here is the reinvest your proceeds from Baltic Avenue into another property. Make sure to maximize your funds.
To maximize funds, you will need to develop properties that cost less, like the orange and pink properties.
But my best is the Orange properties. If you can get the Yellow properties, you’re also in luck. Whatever you do from this point, success is guaranteed. Just play, collect rent, and enjoy the game.
The funny thing about this strategy is that no one will see you coming when you buy these low-value properties.
No one will try to trade with you because you likely have nothing to trade with. But little by little, you will gain their fear and respect.
Caution
While this is a feasible strategy, you must prepare an alternative game plan in case one player decides to frustrate your plan by holding on to one of the Brown properties.
If you can get the Brown properties, do not feel like the world is in your hands.
Quickly develop a more valuable property anywhere from Light Blue to Yellow properties.
I prefer to make money from the lower-value properties and invest in a slightly more valuable property.
For example, if I own the Brown properties, proceeds would be used to develop properties on the second side of the board, either the Pink or Orange properties.
Now proceeds from the Orange properties will be used to develop properties on the Red and Yellow color set. Can you see the progression there?
So this is the simple formula. Proceeds from properties where houses cost $50 help develop others that cost $100. The same happens with property proceeds, where houses cost $100. They are used to develop others that cost $150. And that’s how it progresses.
It’s just common sense. You can’t invest in properties that you cannot afford. Remember that affording an item isn’t necessarily when you can buy it. You need to ask yourself if you will be comfortable if anything goes wrong with your investment.
After you win, you can join me in singing my favorite Baltic Avenue song. Check the Youtube video below.
“Both in Monopoly and real life, only take calculated risks.”
What is The Origin of Baltic Avenue
Like most properties on the standard Monopoly edition, Baltic Avenue got its name from one of the streets in Atlantic City. The game’s popularity made Atlantic City a famous resort for tourists in the 40s and 30s.
Baltic and Mediterranean in Monopoly
These two properties are the lowest-value properties on the Monopoly board.
They are the first two properties after GO. Their rents are cheap, and they are often overlooked.
Are There Properties More Valuable Than Baltic in Monopoly?
Yes. Every other property on the Monopoly board is more valuable than Baltic Avenue. However, this greatly depends on how you measure value.
If you base value on the return on investments, then Baltic isn’t the lowest. But if you measure value by the worth and cost of the property, then it is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Baltic Avenue in Monopoly?
Baltic Avenue is the second property and the third space on the Monopoly board.
Is Baltic Avenue Brown or Purple in Monopoly?
Baltic Avenue is usually colored brown. However, themed versions of Monopoly can have them colored purple.
What is The Cheapest House in Monopoly?
The cheapest houses in Monopoly cost $50, and they are on the first side of the Monopoly board.
Houses on the Brown and Light Blue properties cost the least.
What is The Mortgage Value of Baltic Avenue in Monopoly?
The Mortgage value of Baltic Avenue is $30, which is half the purchase cost.
Mortgaging for half the value is a standard rule in Monopoly. Players must mortgage all properties for half their purchase value.
