Recommendations for Anne Arundel Co. communities? (Severn, Severna Park: mcmansions, travel, work)

[mmemk]

We're looking to move to a community that feeds into any of the following high school districts: Severna Park, Broadneck, or South River. We'd like to find a nice, friendly (i.e., social) community. Any recommendations? (Price range is probably $500-650). Thanks!

[notdancingqueen]

Can you describe a bit of what you are looking for in a neighborhood? I live in Severna Park and even within that, various neighborhoods have different things to offer (e.g., do you like new homes, older homes, McMansions homes, on the water, walking distance to the B&A rail trail...)

Welcome to the area! Jackie

[mmemk]

We're pretty open to exploring various types of neighborhoods. We'd probably prefer newer homes, given that we like big open floorplans (huge kitchen and family room off of the kitchen). We'd probably also like a community that is big enough to take decent length walks in (or has neighboring communities in which to walk). The other key factor is that I'll be commuting to D.C., so probably some of the Severna Park neighborhoods that are far up Ritchie Hwy wouldn't work. Thanks!

[bawlmer]

Bay Hills is worth a look. Golf course community, very wooded, quiet streets. Feeds Broadneck HS. Great community.

[notdancingqueen]

Ha! Wanna buy my house? It's just as you describe (open concept - big kitchen and open to a huge great room...) and 5 minutes from Rt. 97 - I commute to DC too...until we move to NH this Summer, that is! :-)

Depending on where in S.P. you live you'd either take Benfield to Rt 3 south to Rt 50 and on in, or you'd take Rt 2 south to Rt 50 and on in. It's about 45-60 minutes either way. I originally didn't want to live north of Arnold for the commute reason you said but after being here for 9 years, I can confidently say that it really is six of one, half a dozen of the other. I'd say that you *don't* want to look at most of the communities on the Magothy for commute reasons (too bad, as many people like Berrywood) and if you're off Benfield, you probably want to be no more than halfway between Rt 97 and Ritchie Hwy (so maybe nothing past Bluff Point (BP is likely out of your price range anyway). Lakeland and Fairwinds are beautiful but may be out of your price range. Brittingham is mainly McMansions, though many are newer. You might do well with some of the older neighborhoods because they are a tad less expensive yet have many newly renovated homes -- which is where you might find open concept homes in that range in S.P. Try Ben Oaks (very close to 97 and has lovely community amenities - including a pool *in* the Severn -- but many of the homes are older and *not* renovated.) Chartwell (houses are quite large and on or near the golf course. Mix of renovated and "potential".) Carrollton Manor, Whitney's Landing, and Hollywood -- more down-to-earth than some of the upwardly mobile communities that have "snob" reps (take that with a grain of salt...) and you can get great homes in water-privileged communities for maybe $500-550. A lot of the homes around here have been renovated and many are open concept (and are usually noted in MLS as such because it seems to be a big selling point.) Linstead and Round Bay are probably out of your price range but if anything comes up, go see them -they are gorgeous communities. Olde Severna Park and West Severna park are down near Ritchie Highway and also very nice...but you may hit that extra 10 minutes on your commute that makes it not worth it for you. That is the only reason we didn't buy down at that end.

I can recommend a great realtor if you need one - he was our buyers agent 10 years ago and he is our sellers agent this time around. PM me if you want his name!

Do you care about water-rights?

Good luck and feel free to ask any questions.

[sodaking663rd]

Severna Park is the way to go. It may take you a few minutes (literally) extra to get to DC comparecd to broadneck (due to proximity of 50) but it is closer and more convenient for general living needs such as food and restaurants - plus it's just a more upscale area. I live in Broadneck and while it's safe and fine I don't like the idea of being cornered...living near the bay bridge i am forced to travel all the way to annapolis proper or serverna park...glen burnie if i'm really ambitious. as far as neighborhoods olde severna park is great - close to the bike trail, center of town but far enough away from ritchie hwy where your kids won't get run over. again, you can't go wrong in severna park.