Mount Airy

In Mount Airy, you’ll share many experiences with your neighbors—but you might not share a county. “Four counties meet at the Four County Farm,” explains Maureen Nichols of RE/MAX Realty Plus of Mount Airy, the neighborhood’s top agent. Though split between Frederick, Carroll, Howard and Montgomery County, connections in the community remain strong.

About 40 miles from Washington and Baltimore, the neighborhood consists of townhouses and single-family homes. While some homes were constructed in the late 1970s and feature ranch-style architecture, others boast recent construction years and colonial-style architecture. Not every subdivision includes a homeowner association, but there are amenity-rich communities like the Woodlands at Nottingham and Wildwood Park Senior Community. Within the HOAs, sidewalks connect you to neighbors and amenities, while homes outside HOAs provide a country feel. Prices for single-family homes range from $220,000 to over $1.3 million, but the standard price in the neighborhood, according to Nichols, is about $450,000. Townhouses, on the other hand, typically cost anywhere from $262,000 to $470,000.

Though the neighborhood is spread across four counties, students primarily attend Carroll County Public Schools or Frederick County Public Schools. Students in Carroll County often begin at Mount Airy Elementary, which earns an A-minus rating from Niche. From here, students transition to Mount Airy Middle, which earns an A-minus rating, and South Carroll High, a B-plus-rated school that ranks as the fifth-best high school in Carroll County. Students in Frederick County begin at B-plus-rated Twin Ridge before moving to Windsor Knolls, which earns an A-minus rating and ranks as the fourth-best middle school in Frederick County. For high school, students attend Linganore, which also boasts an A-minus rating and includes dual enrollment and Advanced Placement courses.

For a central hub of recreational activities, visit Watkins Park, an ADA-accessible facility with a playground, trails and sports courts. You can even bring your board and skate in the park along the pump tracks and rails or let your pups run free in the fenced-in dog park. To embrace the history of the Mount Airy community and enjoy the natural beauty of the area, put on your walking shoes and head to the Rails to Trails system. “Mount Airy is using the old railroad track to turn it into a walking path,” Nichols explains. Hop on the trail at Watkins Park and walk all the way to Main Street. In the future, the trail will extend across town, so your hiking path will continue to grow over time. When the weather is cold, stay active with classes at Health Unlimited Family Fitness & Aquatic Center or take a private coaching lesson at Cheer Extreme.

To get to know your neighbors, swing by one of the events downtown. Annual events like Mount Airy Restaurant Week, Eggstravagant Evening on Main Street and Wildwood Summer Concert offer a fun way to spend your time and get to know the community. Check the neighborhood calendar for regular events held each month, like farmers markets, luncheons and craft shows. You can also bring friends and family to the annual carnival hosted by the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Department.

How close you stay to home depends on what you are looking to do. For basics like groceries and pet supplies, Walmart and Tractor Supply are less than a mile away. Restaurants like Chick-fil-A and Mount Airy Inn are also in the neighborhood’s retail center. “We have three major grocery stores, three major shopping hubs, healthcare facilities, a great public library in town, a senior center and pretty much everything except a mall. We don’t have big box stores besides TJ Maxx and Home Goods,” Nichols explains. For additional dining options and access to major retailers, Frederick includes everything you need at Francis Scott Key Mall, just over 15 miles away.

While there is no public transit, ramps to Interstate 70 and Route 27 are located right in the neighborhood. Reach Gaithersburg in less than 20 miles and Bethesda in 30 miles. For trips out of state, catch a flight at Baltimore/Washington International Airport, less than 40 miles away. For a commuter-friendly community with a taste of country charm, rest your head in Mount Airy.

Written By

Logan Soter-Reardon

Photography Contributed By

Tyler Priola

Video By

Brad Davis