Severna Park, MD (Baltimore, Potomac, Glen Burnie: fit in, real estate, condos)

[pkoons]

I was reluctant to do this one because I JUST did Pasadena, but as any Severna Park resident will fiercely defend, the two cities are pretty much night and day. In my opinion, that's not a bad thing, because Pasadena is a really cool, low-key town with blue collar charm and some really cool holes in the wall to discover (can't believe I forgot to mention Lightning Jack's last week!) and it still has some unbelievably nice neighborhoods. Severna Park is more closely tied to the Annapolis way of life, however - polo shirts, sailing, neatly manicured lawns and huge homes on small lots. It gets a reputation as a "snobby area," but also as a very nice place to live with great schools.

The interesting thing about Severna Park is if you were to drive down Ritchie Highway you may not realize what a high-priced part of the county you were in. Clearly it sets itself apart from Glen Burnie further up Ritchie Hwy, but the retail centers along Rt. 2 aren't overly nice or particularly laden with specialty retailers or fine dining restaurants. If you veer off into any of the neighborhoods you pretty much have a 50-50 shot of being among $1M+ homes.

Severna Park is bordered on two sides by water (the Severn and Magothy Rivers) and to the north by Pasadena. To the south lies Arnold, the location of one branch of Anne Arundel's community college system. Ritchie Hwy runs north and south connecting major retail areas while Benfield Rd runs east and west and has fewer commercial hubs. Rt 10 provides quick access to 695 and Baltimore (20 minutes away) and Annapolis is 10 minutes down Rt 2. Severna Park High School is easily one of the best in the state and has a formidable football team. I remember visiting Ocean City and running into an ex-football star from that high school that was about 5 years older than I was, and feeling pretty good about myself playing catch with him when he asked if I used to play (I've got an arm but I'm no athlete!)

When you visit Severna Park, make sure to check out Broadleaf smokeshop along Ritchie Hwy, a place with two walk-in humidors and a massive cigar selection. They have a lounge and even make after-hours appointments to meet with serious smokers and collectors. However, despite Severna Park's reputation as a ritzy locale, the choices for dining out are few. Ritchie Hwy has its share of chain restaurants, Chinese take-outs and fast food places, but only a handful of restaurants are worth hitting. Woodfire is your typical unadventurous menu - a steak and seafood house, with a nice lounge and above average food. Cafe Bretton is another fairly upscale destination enjoyed by locals, while the family-owned Jeno's makes a wicked cheesesteak (fresh sliced ribeye!) Ultimately, Severna Park residents are better served by Annapolis/Eastport and Baltimore.

Real estate in Severna Park is VERY pricey - while not quite as high priced as Potomac or Chevy Chase, or even AA County's Davidsonville, you really can't get a reasonable home for under $450-500K. For new construction you're probably looking more at $800K+. There are no townhomes in Severna Park, though there are luxury condos - definitely not "starter homes" - well, maybe you could get in McKinsey Park for under $400K. Manhattan Beach, Chartridge, Carrollton Manor, and Riverdale Park are just a few examples of the relatively affordable older neighborhoods. Most of these are near the water or have water priveleges - Carrolton Manor for example is similar to Herald Harbor/Sunrise Beach in Crownsville in that it mixes affordable older homes with $1M+ waterfront properties. Some of the more upscale communities include Swann Point, Woodberry, and Williams Woods - your basic 6000 foot 5 bedroom McMansions, but most of the ones I've seen have gorgeous kitchens and were done by top quality builders. People looking for a little more of a unique property might like the 1920's built Round Bay homes, and I just saw a beautiful contemporary in a neighborhood called Fair Oaks.

I've been lectured on the pros and cons of Severna Park by current and former residents as well as people who think it is the stereotypical white-flight, snobby, overpriced consumer-driven suburb (blah blah blah...) Overall it's a nice place to live that could benefit from a bit more upscale retail and a few really nice restaurants. It still is part of Anne Arundel County, so those looking for a down-and-dirty good time can always shoot over to neighboring Pasadena or Glen Burnie for an escape from wealthy suburbia. People in Potomac don't have that luxury!!! The final quick fact I'll give is that it is the home of Pat Sajak of Wheel of Fortune fame, and former home to Michael Jordan when he had closer ties to the Washington Wizards.

[kawinn]

My husband just got transferred to D.C. and it looks like I'll be working in Easton, it appears the only nice looking single housing available under 300,000 is in Glen Burnie. Someone said don't go there, but they do not live there, so I would like to find out from someone else if it is to dangerous a place to live. We have 2 dogs and really want single family housing.

[nini]

Can anyone tell me is Oak Hill subdivision in Severna Park is a water privileged community? What are the water privileged communities?

[sloppymom3]

I am moving from Jessup? Too much violence in the classrooms for my kids? Where is a move Chesapeake High School or Severna Park? I have some reservations about rich kid expectations, drugs and snobbiness in Severna Park but want a good education for my daughter and 2 sons and would like an honest answer. I have a son who has alopecia and is bald and struggles to fit in. Boy what a tough call. Can anyone help?

[RachStar12]

I am a student in Severna Park, and I go to SPHS. There are definitely those who fit the bill of the "rich kid", there are snobs here. You can't blame them... I mean, SP is one of the most affluent areas in Anne Arundel County. But generally, people are nice, at least in my experiences. Chartwell (a suburb in Severna Park) has the NICEST NEIGHBORS ever! Chesapeake also has a great reputation, so either way you go, your kids will be happy. Good Luck!

[girllovesmath]

Originally Posted by sloppymom3

I am moving from Jessup? Too much violence in the classrooms for my kids? Where is a move Chesapeake High School or Severna Park? I have some reservations about rich kid expectations, drugs and snobbiness in Severna Park but want a good education for my daughter and 2 sons and would like an honest answer. I have a son who has alopecia and is bald and struggles to fit in. Boy what a tough call. Can anyone help?

With Chesapeake or Severna Park, violence in the classroom will no longer be of concern. As far as your son "fitting in" (which I'm not sure is guaranteed in any American high school) I would go with Chesapeake over SP. I've never taught in either school but I grew up in Pasadena and my school was a rival of both. Severna Park's main issues are overbearing parents who want their student to get (not earn, mind you) the highest grade possible and I have heard that parents with spec. ed. children particularly like this school because the programs are good (and the parents speak up enough to keep it that way). Chesapeake is considered "not as good" as SP but better than Northeast, where I went. I would say that your son has less of a chance of being hassled there than at SP, mostly because SP tends to live up to its snobby reputation (IMO).

[mjwenger]

Thanks for all the information you gave on Severna Park. We are moving in August from Hawaii. I'm looking for good schools for my kids. I want to live near the city but want my home to be somewhat in the "country" that is family oriented. Is Severna Park for us?

[baltimore's best]

Originally Posted by kawinn

My husband just got transferred to D.C. and it looks like I'll be working in Easton, it appears the only nice looking single housing available under 300,000 is in Glen Burnie. Someone said don't go there, but they do not live there, so I would like to find out from someone else if it is to dangerous a place to live. We have 2 dogs and really want single family housing.

Glen Burnie is not dangerous. It's kind of an older area of inexpensive homes and mostly blue collar workers.

[gdog1985]

Originally Posted by mjwenger

Thanks for all the information you gave on Severna Park. We are moving in August from Hawaii. I'm looking for good schools for my kids. I want to live near the city but want my home to be somewhat in the "country" that is family oriented. Is Severna Park for us?

You're not going to find "country" in Severna Park.

[gdog1985]

Originally Posted by baltimore's best

Glen Burnie is not dangerous. It's kind of an older area of inexpensive homes and mostly blue collar workers.

Uhhh no. Glen Burnie is horrible no matter what part you're in. It's dirty, violent and overrun with druggies.