Annapolis

If historic downtown Annapolis is for the tourists, then Parole is for the locals. Once a Civil War prison camp, the generations-old seafaring culture of downtown, though still present along Parole's waterfront estates, takes more of a back seat to its recent commercial development areas. With a mix of bustling shopping centers and serene nature escapes, Parole has a little something for everyone. "Annapolis is sort of in its own corner of Maryland, and Parole is like a modern suburban area grafted onto the side of downtown," says David Beugelmans, an Annapolis resident and volunteer for Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE), which led the charge in 2018 to improve the trails at Annapolis Waterworks Park. "In my opinion, the key thing is that Parole has a lot of resources available and is expanding, so if you're relocating, that could be appealing, not to mention the trail hiking is a now draw too." Parole offers a bounty of shopping. Several town centers dot the area with dense collections of boutiques and national brands. Annapolis Town Center is the most prominent, featuring a central boulevard and green space, flanking more than 100 stores and an amphitheater. Residents visit to buy a new iPhone at the Apple Store, shop for crafts at Pottery Barn or stock up on groceries at Whole Foods Market or Target. Locals also enjoy a litany of dining options, whether it's a cappuccino from Baltimore Coffee & Tea or an elegant night of wine tasting at Cooper's Hawk Restaurant & Tasting Room. Further out, residents can find standalone options for shopping and dining. The Pennsylvania Dutch Farmers Market location offers a spot for farm-to-table meats and cheeses, while Basmati Indian Restaurant offers a traditional lunch buffet of chicken tikka masala, plus vegan options. Those living near Annapolis Town Center have ample access to bus routes, which converge around the town center and extend into downtown. Those living further away depend on a car for commutes and errands. U.S. Route 50 forms the main artery for Parole, which can be used for straight shots into D.C., or to circumvent Baltimore gridlock when heading north. Residents avoid the tourism downtown with events of their own. Annapolis Town Center hosts frequent community events, such as blood donation events that partner with local food trucks. The real centerpiece is the 42-year-running Anne Arundel County Farmers' Market, which occurs every weekend beginning in April, offering fresh produce, antiques and family-friendly activities. The serene catch-and-release fishing lakes at Annapolis Waterworks Park are a common site for recreation. In 2019, the park's hiking and biking trails were improved through volunteers with MORE. These now extend for some 16 miles and connect with nearby trail networks like Bacon Ridge. "Natural surface hiking and biking trails have been historically missing from Annapolis. People who live around here needed to drive over an hour to reach quality trails," says Beugelmans. "The project definitely fostered a sense of community. People make friends because they've ridden the trails or volunteered together." For rainy days, the Arundel Olympic Swim Center offers regular programming and swim lessons. “Parole's big town center is very urban and central,” says Rachel Gontkovic, Realtor with Long & Foster. Housing options are predominantly "large condo and apartment complexes.” These tend to be around commercial areas and feature amenities such as 24/7 security, garage parking and pools. Detached single-family homes are found in established residential areas and a small handful of gated communities. Although many are newer, colonial-style split-levels and ramblers from the 1900s exist too. Some from the 1960s and 80s take a midcentury appearance instead. Modest single-family homes often start in the mid $500,000s, larger ones in the $700,000-$900,000 range and waterfront estates reach upwards of $1 million. Students in Parole begin at Rolling Knolls Elementary, which has a B rating from Niche, then age up to Wiley H. Bates Middle School, which earns a B-plus from Niche. Both offer class sizes well below the national average of 17 students per teacher. The last step is Annapolis High, which has a B-plus score and is considered the 10th-best public high school in Maryland for arts education. Homes closer to the water and near the small creeks that segment Parole are no stranger to flooding. Flooding is less common closer to Annapolis Town Center, but in exchange, residents can expect a higher degree of traffic congestion and noise.

No matter where residents look in Eastport, they’re bound to sense a hint of the nearby water. Located on a peninsula within walking distance of Downtown Annapolis, it boasts three marinas, several yacht clubs and a sailing association. “If I were going to live anywhere in the Annapolis region, I’d live in Eastport,” says Matthew Arnold, a Realtor with REAL, LLC who was born and raised in the Annapolis area and lived in Eastport for 10 years. “I would say that if you have the means to live on the Eastport peninsula, there’s not a better place to live in all of Maryland.” In addition to the “historic waterfront Chesapeake Bay maritime vibe” common in Annapolis communities, Eastport’s town pride earned it the nickname, the “Maritime Republic of Eastport.” Arnold estimates that 75% of homes on the peninsula have yellow Eastport flags hanging from their front porches. “There are a lot of community events, a lot of joggers, a lot of people out and about,” Arnold says. In Eastport, the water is the biggest source of outdoor fun. “The Eastport peninsula offers just about as many water activities as you can think of,” Arnold says. Residents enjoy boating, sailing, kayaking, fishing and more. The community also has a few small waterfront parks, including Horn Point Park, which features a strip of sand, a shaded green space and a fishing pier. Eastport’s streets are tree-shaded and lined with sidewalks, so residents enjoy walking their dogs or heading to the waterfront on foot. Most of the peninsula’s homes are historic houses on quarter-acre lots, typically ranging from 1920s Craftsmans and cottages to Cape Cods and colonial-style houses. Waterfront rowhomes and estates with private docks are also available along the coast. Prices vary greatly depending on waterfront accessibility and location. The occasional fixer-upper can dip to around $700,000, but most homes cost between $1 million and $5 million. Along the base of the peninsula, condominiums become an option, starting at around $240,000 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit. Competition for homes in Eastport can be stiff. “I’ve got more buyers than I know what to do with right now,” Arnold says. “If I had a house for every one of my buyers right now, I’d have a record year.” Waterfront homes are going particularly quickly despite their higher price points, with buyers often offering cash. The Eastport Shopping Center offers a Walgreens, UPS and an athletic club. Grocery stores like Giant and Safeway are 3 miles away. From spring through fall, locals get fresh local produce at Diehl’s Produce. Residents often meet at The Boatyard for a drink and a bite to eat. Nominated as one of the top sailing and boating restaurants by Coastal Living Magazine, it serves up delicious seafood in rustic digs. Boating memorabilia like buoys, rudders and trophy fish adorn its wooden beams, and it’s often packed with sailors after Thursday night races. Davis’ Pub has been a go-to spot for locals since the 1920s in one form or another, though the pub itself has been around since 1986. Featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, their go-to item of choice is the crab pretzel, topped with crab dip and cheddar cheese. Sailing races take place every Thursday. Arnold says that the Annapolis Yacht Club’s races can be seen right from the Spa Creek Bridge. There’s a big St. Patrick’s Day parade and frequent block parties, but the neighborhood’s most memorable tradition is the annual tug of war competition between Eastport and Annapolis. “They string a really big rope across all of Spa Creek Bridge and get the firefighters from Downtown Annapolis and the firefighters from Eastport peninsula and they recruit people,” Arnold says. “It’s a really big deal, both communities turn out and it’s a friendly competition.” The event also features live music, food vendors, a chili cookoff and more. Anne Arundel County Public Schools has a B on Niche and includes 18 nationally recognized blue ribbon schools. Children can attend Eastport Elementary School, which has a B-minus, and Annapolis Middle School, which has a C-plus, before moving on to Annapolis High School. The high school has a B-plus rating and a student-to-teacher ratio of 15 to 1. Students who choose to enroll in the school’s signature program gain access to unique coursework, field experiences, guest speakers and internship opportunities that help prepare them for success. When residents want more excitement, many residents can simply walk to Downtown Annapolis or catch a bus along Chesapeake Avenue or 6th Street. “You get to enjoy all the shops, tourism, restaurants, bars and culture without having to actually live in the more congested area of Downtown Annapolis,” Arnold says.