Why is Severn so much cheaper than Severna Park, Arnold, etc..? is it a bad area? (Glen Burnie: for sale, apartment)

[MGR25]

HI,
We will be moving to MD in spring or summer 2009. I was originally looking at Severna Park, Pasadena and Arnold areas. To be conservative in these uncertain times, we would like a single family home in a good neighborhood, good schools, etc... for under or around 400,000. I have only found 20-30 year old split foyers in SP, Pasadena and Arnold. However, I found some gorgeous newer homes for that price in Shamrock Manor in Severn, MD. I was wondering what is wrong with Severn? Why are the houses so much nicer and cheaper? I looked at the crime index and Severn has a lower crime index than Severna Park (61 vs. 71). That surprised me.
I am also concerned with tolerance and acceptance of kids with disabilities. My son has autism and is very delayed cognitively. We would like to find an area that is very friendly and more accepting of those who are not "picture perfect".
I would appreciate any advice you could give me!
thanks,
Michele

[tn_dreamin']

I don't think there's really anything wrong with severn, I live there and haven't run into anything. My subdivision has houses ranging from 350 k-400 and they're all less then 7 years old. Actually I think Severn is one of the nicer towns. The other areas are probably a little more expensive because they are closer to the water.

[MGR25]

Thanks for the info. Do you happen to know about the schools there? I will have 2 in Elementary school. Also I am curious about Shamrock Manor subdivision. There seems to be a lot of houses for sale there. just wondering if something is wrong with this area. It is hard to know for sure without being there. Any other good subdivisions with good schools in Severn?
thanks,
Michele

[tn_dreamin']

The schools my kids go to are good, Ridgeway Elem. is one of the best in the county for Elementary schools, my others are in middle and highschool and they go to Old Mill, another good school. There are alot of good subdivions around here, I live in Grande View Park, also there's Jason's Landing, Patuxent Glen, and several others. I do not know anything about Shamrock Manor, where is it located? Also I really don't think you will have to worry about your son and him not fitting in because of his disability anywhere around here., people are very accepting of the disabled. Good luck!

[sodaking663rd]

Severn is a pretty nice place to live. The reasons it is much cheaper to live there is because of the school system and its proximity to Ft. Meade and Glen Burnie. Now I'm not a Glen Burnie basher but the facts are the closer you are to Glen Burnie the cheaper the housing is. Ft. Meade is not a great area and there are tons of townhouses and apartment communities in that area...it is a military base so keep that in mind. Severna Park is a really nice area but you wouldn't know it by driving down Ritchie Highway...if you spend some time in the area you'll see it really is a nicer area though.

[wickednoodle]

Have you checked out the newly built homes in SP? They've been offering some great deals, some well under 400K.
The reason SP is more expensive is because of our school system - we have some of the top schools in the nation here. It's a great little town, and with Annapolis just ten minutes away, you can't beat it. (I admittedly don't know anything about Severn, however!)
Good luck!

[MGR25]

Wickednoodle,
What newly built homes are you talking about? I am not in the area and would like to look them up on the internet.
Thanks,
Michele

[lau3]

I am a teacher in Anne Arundel county. I live in Severna Park. I would choose the areas of Arnold, Severna Park and Pasadena over the area of Severn. The schools in those areas are much better than in Severn.

[MGR25]

lau3,
Thank you for your reply. As a teacher, do you feel that those areas are accepting of disabled kids? Is there bullying in schools? I know there is bullying everywhere, but as a teacher would you say these areas have more or less bullying than other areas in AA county?
thanks,
Michele

[2SonsinArmy]

The reason there were many homes for sale in Shamrock Manor is because a lot of folks bought them intending to flip them since the market was in such a boom - the neighborhood was complete at the height of the boom. They lived in other areas and bought these as investments. When the market changed, they had two mortgages to deal with and the investment property wasn't moving. So, a lot of people went into foreclosure. That is changing now because of BRAC -- the military is bringing in 22,000 direct hires to Ft. Meade, the roads are improving, the schools are improving, etc. Also, that does not include the subcontractors and businesses that will be following the direct hires. It starts in 2011 and people will be flooding in all year with additional influxes in 2012. Also, their building a casino at the mall, which has a shuttle going from Shamrock Manor to the casino. People don't eve nhave to drive. All inall, Shamrock is a good community. It's within walking distance to Ft. Meade's main gate, so if you don't want to deal with the traffic to go on post, you can walk or ride your bike.