Severna park communities!? (Columbia, Annapolis, Arnold: for sale, houses, neighborhoods)

[RN119]

Hi, I'm looking into moving to severna park in next couple years. We have 2 children both very young but need to know the best family oriented communities in Severna park. We would like water privileged and a place that is safe for our kids that keeps a good open communication with the whole community. How's Stewarts landings!? Help! Thanks!!

[CindyTevis]

Honestly, in my opinion, don't waste your money on a house in Severna Park. There are many other academically outstanding schools in Anne Arundel County with water privileges. From what I hear from people in that area, Severna Park has good academics but the social scene there sucks apparently. Kids are pushed too hard, so many expectations to "keep up with the jonses." Ty Arnold instead. Beautiful water area, even closer to Downtown Annapolis, and great school (Broadneck High). I also suggest the Arundel and South River High districts. As far as communities in Severna Park, I'm not too familiar, sorry. I just wanted to give you my two cents.

[DreamingofSunshine]

What is your budget?

[RN119]

I don't need opinions to not move to severna park, I need opinions on where to move to in severna park. Please only comment with help with that. Our budget is no more then 550k. Thanks!!!

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by RN119

Hi, I'm looking into moving to severna park in next couple years. We have 2 children both very young but need to know the best family oriented communities in Severna park. We would like water privileged and a place that is safe for our kids that keeps a good open communication with the whole community. How's Stewarts landings!? Help! Thanks!!

A co-worker lived in SP and loved it. However, your question is probably too specific for anyone on this forum to answer well.

I'd suggest driving around on the weekend. Since Stewarts Landing is not gated, I'd be looking at whether outsiders are allowed in, and how well the public areas are kept. The Realtor web sites will show you pictures of a tot lot and a basketball court, but I'd like to see how (or whether they are used). My impression is the tot lot is too close to the basketball court and the teenagers would dominate it.

My other impression was that many people had private backyard swimming pools, and I did not see a community pool. Personally, I would prefer a community pool. I also noticed that Magothy Beach Road was a wide, straight street, and did not look friendly for walking around.

My other issue with the neighborhood is the age of the houses. The available ones were built in the 1980's and showed their age. I'd suggest looking around some more, but I believe most of SP is going to have 1970's or 80's houses. You might also look at Manhattan Woods which has a private beach area on the river.

FWIW, we had a weekend cottage in Edgewater, and we enjoyed the privacy.

[DreamingofSunshine]

Stewarts Landing is very nice, as is Magothy Forest and Berrywood which are all next to each other.

I am not sure what the other poster was talking about as far as gated or not. I am not aware of any communities in SP that are gated....maybe some multi million dollar homes? And no there are not wandering people in and out of the neighborhoods I mentioned and I doubt there are in any SP neighborhood. Take what people not living in SP say with a grain of salt We moved to SP from out of state 6 years ago and choose SP specifically for good schools. We liked this area better than the master planned feel of Columbia (also w good schools).

Where are you moving from?

What other questions do you have, I would be happy to answer them.

[DreamingofSunshine]

Originally Posted by goldenage1

A co-worker lived in SP and loved it. However, your question is probably too specific for anyone on this forum to answer well.

I'd suggest driving around on the weekend. Since Stewarts Landing is not gated, I'd be looking at whether outsiders are allowed in, and how well the public areas are kept. The Realtor web sites will show you pictures of a tot lot and a basketball court, but I'd like to see how (or whether they are used). My impression is the tot lot is too close to the basketball court and the teenagers would dominate it.

My other impression was that many people had private backyard swimming pools, and I did not see a community pool. Personally, I would prefer a community pool. I also noticed that Magothy Beach Road was a wide, straight street, and did not look friendly for walking around.

My other issue with the neighborhood is the age of the houses. The available ones were built in the 1980's and showed their age. I'd suggest looking around some more, but I believe most of SP is going to have 1970's or 80's houses. You might also look at Manhattan Woods which has a private beach area on the river.

FWIW, we had a weekend cottage in Edgewater, and we enjoyed the privacy.

Very few people have private swimming pools. There are many community pools you can join all throughout SP. Stewarts Landing has big plans for a community pool, but just hasn't happened yet.

Severna Park is all about slightly older homes, very little new builds. Many homes are updated, some are not. You pay a premium for the schools, and you will not notice many homes for sale.

As far as Magothy Beach Road....Personally I would not want to live on it. But one can walk on the side walk from the various neighborhoods to others. People use the playgrounds from all 3 of the neighborhoods there. My personal favorite is Berrywood playground. Stewarts Landing and Magothy Forest playgrounds are just OK imo.

[psusra112]

Originally Posted by RN119

I don't need opinions to not move to severna park, I need opinions on where to move to in severna park. Please only comment with help with that. Our budget is no more then 550k. Thanks!!!

I have a coworker who lives in Manhattan Beach. Schools appear to be top notch, as with the rest of Severna Park. As its still considered a somewhat "up and coming" area, one can still get a house for sub 500k with good water access.

Any time I drive through his neighborhood, there's always a ton of young children out playing with parents hanging around outside talking to one another. It seems like a fantastic little community to raise a family in.

[Cannady]

What's the "feel" of other nearby communities, like Carrolltown Manor and Whitney's Landing and Evergreen Estates, etc?

And who has a community pool versus "just" a beach/boat ramp?

Mostly, I'm curious about what the people are like to each other, and how many community activities there are, generally.

Originally Posted by DreamingofSunshine

Stewarts Landing is very nice, as is Magothy Forest and Berrywood which are all next to each other.

I am not sure what the other poster was talking about as far as gated or not. I am not aware of any communities in SP that are gated....maybe some multi million dollar homes? And no there are not wandering people in and out of the neighborhoods I mentioned and I doubt there are in any SP neighborhood. Take what people not living in SP say with a grain of salt We moved to SP from out of state 6 years ago and choose SP specifically for good schools. We liked this area better than the master planned feel of Columbia (also w good schools).

Where are you moving from?

What other questions do you have, I would be happy to answer them.