Havre De Grace

Less than 40 miles from Baltimore, Havre de Grace offers two ways of life with a hub of activity along the Susquehanna River and homes on half-acre lots farther west. A self-sufficient community, Havre de Grace has golf courses, shops and restaurants within its borders. Though the neighborhood already offers plenty of amenities, it is undergoing a facelift to freshen up its most frequented stretch. “They’re ready to do downtown revitalization to the shopping district, so it is definitely up-and-coming,” explains Brian Zack of Garceau Realty, a Realtor and Team Leader who’s sold dozens of homes in the area. In downtown Havre de Grace, condos remain the dominant property type, though a few homes are along the shore. In the areas west of downtown, styles range from brick townhouses to colonial-style, single-family homes. Some properties were constructed in the 1940s, but new builds are also popping up throughout the neighborhood. Though there are properties for auction in the area for less than $180,000, most condos and single-family homes cost more than $200,000. Condos farther inland cost up to $435,000, while units closer to downtown reach up to $630,000. On the other hand, single-family homes can cost up to $1.3 million for a four-bedroom house on the water, but bungalows farther west cost as little as $200,000. One factor continues to drive home prices up downtown. Zack says, “It’s a historic district with quite a range of homes, and there has been a lot of revitalization. People are picking up older homes and restoring them to their former glory.” Zoned for Harford County Public Schools, the neighborhood benefits from the second-best district in the Baltimore Area, according to Niche. Though the elementary school students attend may vary depending on proximity, many students begin at Havre de Grace Elementary, a school earning a B-plus grade. From here, students transition to Havre de Grace Middle and Havre de Grace High, both of which earn a B grade. Havre de Grace High has a well-known cross-country team and is home to several after-school programs, from speech and debate to theater. Home to the Millard Tydings Memorial Park, the neighborhood gains access to over 20 acres of green space along the water’s edge. Whether looking to burn off some energy at the playground or walk along the paved trails, the park offers options for all ages. For golf lovers, Bulle Rock sits at the heart of the neighborhood and features a fairway utilized by the LPGA for several championships. When the winter weather makes its way to town, the Havre de Grace Recreation Committee hosts events for both adults and children, from basketball programs to lacrosse clinics. Most of the restaurants in the neighborhood are concentrated downtown, closest to the waterside. MacGregor’s and Coakley’s Pub are two top spots with American cuisine along St. John Street, but the Vinyard has what Zack considers “the best food in town.” When it comes to groceries, Weis Market takes care of the basics right along Route 40. More extensive shopping trips for clothing and back-to-school needs would likely require the Harford Mall, about 15 miles outside the neighborhood in Bel Air. Havre de Grace holds events like First Friday throughout the summer, and the State Theater of Havre de Grace regularly hosts performances from musicals to live wrestling. There is also an outdoor art gallery with rotating displays, a recent addition to the neighborhood. “Harmer’s Town Arts Center just opened up, and that is a little bit outside the main downtown area, so it is drawing walking traffic from downtown,” Zack describes. Though there is no public transit in the area, Baltimore is less than 30 miles away and accessible with the nearby ramp to Interstate 95. Some residents in the neighborhood commute into the city for work, while others work in the neighborhood south of Havre de Grace. “There’s a lot of people employed by Aberdeen Proving Ground,” Zack explains.