Bel Air South blends quiet living with city conveniences
Among expansive farm fields and upscale subdivisions, Bel Air South offers a tranquil yet convenient lifestyle. Adjacent to Harford Glen Park and Pleasant Hills, the Maryland neighborhood provides a peaceful atmosphere while placing residents just minutes from major shopping destinations, the bustling Main Street of Bel Air and convenient access via the Bel Air Bypass. “Bel Air is an easily commutable suburb with highly rated school districts,” says Daniel McGhee, an award-winning Realtor with Homeowners Real Estate. “It's relatively safe and, while most people commute to Baltimore for work, Bel Air has its own shopping, dining and nightlife scene.” Locals enjoy suburban nightlife and shopping at Tollgate Marketplace, Harford Mall and the vibrant Main Street, all without having to drive into Baltimore.
Houses and prices vary widely from condos to million-dollar homes
Bel Air South features primarily suburban residential areas with some rural characteristics. Houses are located among forested areas and near farm fields, with winding streets and cul-de-sacs. Home styles range from modern traditional estates on wide lots to ranch-style houses and Colonial-inspired split levels. These smaller, more classic single-family homes typically cost between $230,000 and $425,000. Larger colonial styles and more modern builds start around $430,000 and go up from there. Contemporary New Traditional homes in newer subdivisions built within the last 20 years typically start in the low $600,000s, with larger estates on extensive acreage fetching up to $1.5 million. Townhouses clustered in communities start at $190,000 and range up to $980,000 for newer, more spacious builds with updated, luxury amenities. Many feature garages. HOA fees may apply. Condos round out the housing inventory, typically ranging in price from $170,000 to $425,000.
Main Street and Baltimore Pike offer shopping and nightlife
Residents have easy access to many shopping centers, major grocery stores and nightlife. “Main Street in Bel Air is awesome. It has a lot of shopping and restaurants. It’s very quaint,” McGhee says. “Looney’s Pub is a huge staple for nightlife. They host bands and DJs and a lot of people from Baltimore will come out here just to go to Looney’s.” Main Street is also home to the Harford Artists Gallery in the marketplace behind the castle-like Bel Air Armory community center. Harford Mall and Tollgate Marketplace on Baltimore Pike offer national retailers, restaurants, banks and car dealerships. Grocery options include Target and Aldi. Pleasant Hills' Belair Road features local eateries, breweries such as Fallston Barrel House and The Local, additional car dealerships and Walmart.
Students attend top-ranked schools in Harford County
Students here benefit from highly rated public schools through the Harford County Public School district, which scores an overall A-minus on Niche and is ranked the second-best school district in the Baltimore area. Kindergarten through fifth grade students may begin at Youths Benefit Elementary School before continuing to Fallston Middle School, both of which get an A-minus score. Fallston High School maintains a B-plus grade and serves over 1,000 students. The high school is lauded for its strong college preparation, reflected in high graduation rates and college readiness programs, which are balanced with a robust athletics program that boasts over 40 state championship teams. Most recently, the school’s boy’s lacrosse team won the state championship in 2023 and the girl’s lacrosse team took top honors in 2024.
Parks, trails and playgrounds offer year-round outdoor fun
Outdoor recreation options in Bel Air South include scenic places like Harford Glen Park and Annie's Playground. Harford Glen Park borders the Atkisson Reservoir and offers walking and hiking trails where visitors can picnic, birdwatch and photograph wildlife. Golf enthusiasts will find Winters Run Golf Course just north of the highway, while those interested in horseback riding can enjoy the Harford County Equestrian Center. Neighborhood parks such as Reckord Road Park and Mountain Road Park feature playgrounds and athletic facilities like tennis courts and ballfields. Cyclists have access to extended rail trails, most notably the Ma and Pa Trail. “That trail is somewhat recent, probably built within the last 10 years. It’s a super long, popular walking and biking trail that goes for miles all throughout Bel Air,” McGhee says. “It starts at Annie’s Playground, goes for miles through the woods.” Annie’s Playground at Edgeley Grove Park was created in memory of a local resident and is recognized as one of the largest playgrounds in the nation. The south portion of Bel Air South offers luxury amenities like Mountain Branch Golf Course and Valleybrook Country Club.
Washington D.C. and Baltimore are both within commuting range
Most homes in this neighborhood are about 4 miles from Bel Air’s bustling Main Street. Baltimore is approximately 24 miles southwest and can be reached in around 40 minutes via Interstate 95, depending on traffic conditions. Interstate 95 also provides access to Washington D.C., roughly 65 miles south. While there are no bus stops in the immediate neighborhood, Harford Transit buses stop at major shopping centers, and there is a Park and Ride facility off Fallston Road. The University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center is situated in Bel Air, approximately 4 miles from the neighborhood.
![Christina von Claparede-Crola]()
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
