Maryland suburb with access to schools, recreation and conveniences
Situated 23 miles west of Baltimore, the highly residential community of Marriottsville prides itself on its mixed suburban and rural feel and convenient connections to urban scenes. The town provides access to main highways and outdoor spaces, blending residential living with urban amenities and recreation. Extensive parks and recreation options allow locals to take advantage of the natural setting. "Probably the biggest draw to Marriottsville is its proximity to parks and rural lots there that are not available in adjoining towns," says Realtor Gregory Kinnear with RE/MAX Advantage Realty. "Most people choose Marriottsville because it's more rural and there aren't many homes there because it's a lot of parkland." Marriottsville also draws families due to its high-performing schools in two counties. Additionally, the town’s convenience extends to its proximity to shops, groceries and retailers that fulfill necessities.
Colonial and split-level homes dominate Marriottsville’s landscape
Homes are clustered in communities and smaller neighborhoods, while the town’s more rural areas feature spacious properties with sizeable acreage. "You'll mostly see fairly traditional home styles," Kinnear says. "Many are two-story homes that are spread out from each other." Colonial Revival and split-level homes are most common, strewn amidst ranch-style homes and bi-level examples. New developments include larger homes with generous layouts and colonial-influenced neo-traditional architectural styles. The median list price for real estate hovers around $680,000, though prices run the gamut from the low-$200,000s up to $1.7 million. Single-family homes typically start around $400,00 and rise from there, while townhouses can range from the mid-$600,000s to the low-$800,000s. Condos, typically found in 55+ communities, can price between $200,000 and $450,000. Marriottsville also has 55+ communities, which may have additional HOA fees.
Students attend top-rated public schools in two counties
Depending on zoning, students may attend school within Carroll County Public Schools or Howard County Public Schools. Both are high-performing districts, and Howard County Public Schools is ranked the best school district in Maryland. Within Howard County, students may begin their education at West Friendship Elementary School before advancing to Mount View Middle School. Both earn A grades. Marriotts Ridge High School maintains an A-plus score with top marks in college prep and academics. The high school offers advanced placement programs as well as a Gifted and Talented Education Program, where student interns are matched with professional mentors to explore self-selected areas of interest. MRHS students go on to attend top-rated universities such as Princeton, MIT and more. Parents may also opt to enroll their students in private, faith-based schools such as the top-rated Chapelgate Christian Academy, which serves kindergarten through twelfth grade and gets an A from Niche.
Patapsco Valley trails, rivers and disc golf draw recreationists
Marriottsville’s many public parks and outdoor green spaces provide residents with recreational opportunities. The McKeldin Area of Patapsco Valley State Park is one of eight tracts within the 16,000-acre park and offers plenty of recreational activities along the South Branch Patapsco River and the Patapsco River. Multi-use trails, such as Plantation Trail and Spring Glenn Trail, trace their way through the 1,103-acre tract, which is also dotted with campgrounds. It also has a playground and an 18-hole disc golf course.
Alpha Ridge Park is in the southern part of Marriottsville and has a unique offering of athletic facilities and experiences. The park is outfitted with an inline hockey rink and a target archery range. Ball diamonds, tennis courts and multipurpose fields teem with active kids and adults alike. There are also picnic pavilions and a playground available. The park’s crowning jewel is the Howard Astronomical League Observatory, a 15-diameter dome that houses multiple telescopes. While only open for events, the observatory hosts monthly star parties and other programs.
Shops and restaurants cluster near I-70 in local centers
Shopping centers along the Interstate 70 corridor include Turf Valley Towne Square and Waverly Woods Village Center, which house grocery stores like Weis Markets and Harris Teeter as well as a handful of fast-food chains, restaurants and other local businesses. Mad Chef Kitchen & Bar is a contemporary American restaurant lauded for its elevated plates and chic interiors. Other eateries range in diversity from sushi houses to Indian and Mexican spots.
Commuters benefit from proximity to major highways and BWI
Wedged between Interstate 70 and Route 26, Marriottsville boasts a convenient location with access to major thoroughfares. Both highways connect to Interstate 695. The community is 23 miles from Baltimore via I-70. Frequent flyers may catch flights from Baltimore-Washington International Airport, less than 25 miles from Marriottsville.
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
Photography Contributed By
Jesse Son
