Severna Park - looking to move there (Baltimore, Annapolis: transplants, homes)

[shorelinect]

I am from a Long Island Sound town in CT looking to relocate to Severna Park, MD. Anyone from Westchester County, NY or Fairfield - New Haven County, CT in the area that could give me information? How are the schools? Is it materialistic (cars are most important financial priority, etc)? Is there things for families? Than you.

[7th Direction]

Originally Posted by shorelinect

I am from a Long Island Sound town in CT looking to relocate to Severna Park, MD. Anyone from Westchester County, NY or Fairfield - New Haven County, CT in the area that could give me information? How are the schools? Is it materialistic (cars are most important financial priority, etc)? Is there things for families? Than you.

Severna Park is a very nice place to live (I grew up there).

Schools are very good in this area. It is a safe place. There are lots of ammenities....

Is it materialistic? I don't know, probably? My parents are very down to earth people, however the area is a very 'ritzy' place to live. There are lots of waterfront properties, a golf course, million dollar homes, etc. (Pat Sajak lives in Severna Park!!).

As for family activities... close by you have the B&A Bike Trail, Kinder Park, Lake Waterford Park, Community Beaches and Boat Ramps, etc. You also have close access to Baltimore (Inner Harbor, Science Center, National Aquarium, Baltimore Orioles and Ravens Stadiums), Annapolis (Naval Academy, Restaurants, Shopping, Opera House) and Washington DC (National Mall, Smithsonian Museums, Kennedy Center). You are a 1-2.5 hour drive to the Ocean or the Mountains (which ever you prefer).

[sobo16]

Originally Posted by shorelinect

I am from a Long Island Sound town in CT looking to relocate to Severna Park, MD. Anyone from Westchester County, NY or Fairfield - New Haven County, CT in the area that could give me information? How are the schools? Is it materialistic (cars are most important financial priority, etc)? Is there things for families? Than you.

I get the impression that status is very important in Severna Park. People fight to get into the Severna Park school district, so yes, schools are very good. It's a nice place to live, and it's great for families. Keep in mind that it's not a "town" in the sense that you're probably used to in Connecticut. I definitely recommend visiting and checking it out.

[kirstie707]

Severna Park is very family oriented. There is no cute downtown part like a lot of New England towns but you are very close to Annapolis which is beautiful. You are also about 50 minutes from DC and 20-30 minutes to Baltimore.
We lived in Severna Park for 5 years and just moved to IL recently.
We are originally from PA and found the zoning in Severna Park to be odd- well actually non-existent! I taught in the school system for 5 years and it is good. Not as rigorous as PA was, but not bad either. Any school system that is well rated will have expensive homes and thus there will be a mix of keeping up with the Jones' and real down to earth people. All in all, we loved our time there, and we met some great people. Good luck!
Please feel free to direct message if you have more specific questions.

[mermaid_golfer]

Severna Park is a wonderful area. As others have stated the school system is very good.
The location is perfect as far as being accessible to Baltimore/Washington/Georgetown/Beaches.

Good luck with you move

[baltimore's best]

Originally Posted by shorelinect

I am from a Long Island Sound town in CT looking to relocate to Severna Park, MD. Anyone from Westchester County, NY or Fairfield - New Haven County, CT in the area that could give me information? How are the schools? Is it materialistic (cars are most important financial priority, etc)? Is there things for families? Than you.

Severna Park has some of the best public schools in the state. Additionally, there are several first class private schools.

[sisterhoney]

Just saw your post from last month. I can give you my perspective on it because I am from CT (born & rasied - spent our entire lives there). We moved to Severna Park from CT 4 years ago. We are now back in the Northeast (NY) & I can tell you I would give anything to move back there! True, it does not really have a downtown area, which puzzled me at first. There is a lot culturally that is different. A lot of Southerners seem to live there, and you definately can see the southern influence after you move there. Yes, it is pretty materialistic & it does seem like you are always trying to keep up with the Joneses. But the people there are truly good people & very generous with their money in helping out good causes & the community. It is just a different way of life. People are less rushed & serious than they are in CT, but very well educated & friendly. We felt very welcome there. Neighbors actually came to our door & introduced themselves when we first moved there. The schools are top rate! All in all I just can't think of a better place to raise children. There is so much history in Maryland that is close to that area. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there & as soon as my husband's job is finished here we plan to go back.

[trickymost]

I would hardly call Severna Park (or anyplace north of DC) Southern or with a southern influence...between the military, government, and general economic growth between Baltimore and Washington there's been a massive influx of people from all over the world in the last 10-15 years. That's led to sprawl, traffic, and lots of malls/office parks/strip malls which are a staple of the northeast.

In fact, being from the Northeast originally, I find myself feeling like I never left with all the transplants.

Having said that, it's a great place to live.

[sarcastic_but_lovable]

I Like Severna Park, But might I also suggest you check out Severn, Md. My Best Friends Parents Live In Severn And I Love Their Neighborhood And The Surrounding Communities, with beautiful homes and a dynamite school district from what I've read, Its Extremely Homely And Inviting...

[Marylandsailor]

Arnold, which is the area just to the south of Severna Park is very nice also and a little less expensive mostly.