Shady Side, Maryland
Population: 6,500
Located in Anne Arundel County
Shady Side is a peninsula bounded by Chesapeake Bay and West River, lying about 10 miles south of Annapolis. Surely it's name comes from the forests of huge oak trees native to the area, many of which still stand today. By 1920, this previously isolated area inhabited largely by watermen and boat builders became well known enough to attract development of boarding houses, small weekend and vacation homes for well-to-do city dwellers from Washington D.C. The great steamboats from Baltimore had been stopping here since the mid 1800's. A post office and the name Shady Side was established by 1880. For new arrivals, swimming, fishing, waterfowl hunting and sailing were main attractions.
The communities of Avalon Shores, Cedarhurst On The Bay and Idlewilde On The Bay, and Snug Harbor all date from the 1920's. These communities still include original cottages on small lots with newer homes filling previously unbuilt lots. Community water access is a wonderful benefit of these older communities, which usually include a boat launching ramp, swimming area and community pier. Sometimes small boat slips are available, too.
Other areas of Shady Side feel more rural, with homes on an acre or more of wooded privacy. Waterfront homes have been the driving force in real estate here as the modern wave of city dwellers seek weekend, full time or retirement homes on the water. Many waterfront home buyers were introduced to the area by keeping a boat here at one of the many marinas serving the huge recreational boating industry on the Chesapeake.
Modest starter homes are still available from about $300,000. Newer 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath homes on small lots are selling in the $375,000-$450,000 range. A 3-4 bedroom home with a 2 car garage on 1/3 to 1/2 acre can be purchased for about $475,000. Buying directly on the water adds about $400,000 to the above values.
Many newcomers remark on the quality of life that long time residents may take for granted. The area is more attuned to the tidal and seasonal comings and goings of the Bay than to daily rush hours. There are no traffic lights in Shady Side and one of the loudest noises heard is the seasonal honking of hundreds of Canada Geese that over-winter in the area.
Find homes for sale in Shady Side Maryland
|
|
