Lusby

Though neighborhoods surrounding the Washington metropolitan area are known for their fast pace, Lusby, a community about 60 miles from the Capitol, challenges that view. Neighbors care about one another and want to preserve the small-town atmosphere maintained for decades. “If you break down on the side of the road, someone will stop and wait with you,” says Jan Kleponis of O’Brien Realty, the neighborhood’s top agent and a Lusby resident for over 30 years.

Less than 15 miles southeast of Prince Frederick, the neighborhood comprises chalet, colonial, ranch-style and split-foyer homes. Chesapeake Ranch Estates is one of the largest homeowner associations in the area, its streets lined with mature trees and grassy lots. The HOA’s amenities are weaved throughout the quiet community, including a clubhouse, private beach access and trails. Just south of Chesapeake Ranch is Drum Point, another HOA in Lusby. Similarly immersed in nature, Drum Point sits along the Patuxent River and includes a social club with access to fitness classes, a fishing pier and a sand-lined beach. Smaller HOAs are farther north in Lusby, close to Flag Ponds Nature Park and Calvert Cliffs. Because the neighborhood has a range of housing styles, prices accommodate budgets along a broad spectrum. “There’s a little bit of something for everybody. We have $100,000 homes, and we have million-dollar homes that are right on the bay with boat slips,” Kleponis explains.

The market in Lusby remains active, but turnover in the community might not be for a reason you’d expect. “Taxes in Maryland are high. They tax our retirement income, so people tend to move when their kids are grown and gone,” Kleponis says. Despite that, people stick around in Lusby for long stretches because of its proximity to the naval base across the river and job hubs like Annapolis and Washington, both about 60 miles away.

Part of Calvert County School District, Lusby gains access to the fifth-best school district in the state, according to Niche. Students begin at Dowell Elementary before transitioning to Mill Creek Middle, both of which earn a B rating. For high school, students attend Patuxent, a B-plus-rated school that ranks as the fourth-best high school in Calvert County. At Patuxent, students can participate in activities like the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and the Harlequins Theater Program.

With Calvert Cliffs State Park centrally located along the shoreline, enjoy year-round hiking trails, cliff-side views and recreational activities. “Calvert Cliff State Park is wonderful every day of the year. My kids got grappling hooks for Christmas, so we walked down on Christmas Day down to the water so that we could play with our grappling hooks,” Kleponis says. Getting back from the beach can be a challenging hike, one of the few drawbacks to the park. For a more leisurely walk to the waterside, Flag Ponds offers another option about 5 miles north of Calvert Cliffs. Each option has benefits and drawbacks, however. Kleponis notes that “Flag Ponds fills, so it kind of has a limit, but I never saw someone turned away from Calvert Cliffs.”

If the cold weather has you searching for things to do indoors, drive to Prince Frederick and find Planet Fitness, Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, and Calvert Library. You’ll also find more shopping options up in Prince Frederick than close to home. While the neighborhood has stores like Giant, Weis and Walgreens, Prince Frederick has national retailers like GameStop, Ross and Five Below. There’s even a hospital, ensuring medical care is never out of reach. If you’re looking for restaurants, on the other hand, you don’t have to venture to Prince Frederick unless you’re looking for chains like Outback Steakhouse. Less than a mile from home, enjoy seafood and waterside views at Vera’s, Mexican cuisine from Salsa’s Mexican Café or soul food from 2 Soul Sisters.

For morning commutes, you won’t find public transportation in Lusby, but you will find Route 4—the area’s main thoroughfare and connection point to Upper Marlboro and Capitol Hill. If you’re traveling outside Maryland, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is about 60 miles away. For a neighborhood dedicated to preserving its caring atmosphere and natural beauty, lower your anchor in Lusby.

Written By

Alicia Swain

Photography Contributed By

Jesse Snyder

Video By

Daniel Willingham