Comparing Crownsville, Gambrills and Davidsonville (Baltimore, Columbia: real estate, rental, daycare)

[bluetobe]

Researching places to live, how would you compare Crownsville, Gambrills and Davidsonville in terms of the community, the vibe and the people. They all seem to be somewhat rural environments, but what else makes them similar or not. Any feedback on any of the communities, I'd like to hear form you. TIA

[goldenage1]

Just basing my opinion on available real estate and Wikipedia, I would pick Crownsville first, then Davidsonville.

C'ville has some water-priviledged communities in your price range. It also has the County fairgrounds and hosts the Maryland Renaissance Festival in the summer, so you would have some things to do. I was at the Ren Fest once, and really enjoyed it.

Davidsonville is semirural and small. Its main advantage is being on Central Avenue, allowing a straight commute to the DC Beltway. I think you would spend all your weekends mowing the lawn if you bought a house on a large lot there.

Gambrills would not be my choice. It is tiny and affluent, but it is close to Odenton and Fort Meade. Many neighbors would be Army people and spooks from NSA who can't talk about their work.

[bluetobe]

Hmm...o.k. thanks for the feedback. I don't think we mind Army people. Familiar with the Ren Fair - though it might be fun to attend - not sure I'd need it in my community. Good to know though.

Anyone else live in these communities? How would you describe the people? Is there a central gathering place in any of these communities that neighbors frequent? What's your favorite and least favorite thing about living there?

So we've lived in a very right leaning/conservative place and a very left leaning/liberal place - I know I can look up the stats on these places, but informal opinions would be nice too. What's the general vibe?

Thank you.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by bluetobe

......Anyone else live in these communities? How would you describe the people? Is there a central gathering place in any of these communities that neighbors frequent? ......

I hate to be the only one responding. However, i doubt very much that you will get a response from anyone who has actually lived in Gambrils or Davidsonville. They are just too small.

[goldenage1]

Of the real estate in Gambrills, I saw only one house with a community pool. Maryland government is mostly throught the counties rather than towns, so there has been no "town" delvelopment in Gambrills. It is a string of small businesses along Route 175, along with a Post Office a Baptist church and a daycare center. There's a General Store and David's Natural Market. There are the County's agricultural extension services and its 4H office. One noteworthy thing about Gambrills is that it used to be the home of the Naval Academy's dairy farm before the milk purchase was outsourced. The other is that it has the Maryland Corn Maze in the fall and winter: https://mdcornmaze.com/

I'd say it is still quiet and fairly rural.

[NJ2MDdude]

Living near a military base means there will be a lot of rental property.

[bluetobe]

Originally Posted by NJ2MDdude

Living near a military base means there will be a lot of rental property.

Something to consider. Thanks.

[bande1102]

What are you looking for? Are you trying to avoid something? Gambrills also runs through Crofton.

[bluetobe]

Just trying to get a sense of these communities, what the people are like. We live in a very connected community now and we do like the idea of living somewhere that has some central gathering place whether it be a town or an association or a clubhouse.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by bluetobe

Just trying to get a sense of these communities, what the people are like. We live in a very connected community now and we do like the idea of living somewhere that has some central gathering place whether it be a town or an association or a clubhouse.

Have you considered Columbia? I used to live there in the 1970's, and it has a great homeowners' association with recreation opportunities all over: pools, tennis, gyms, a community church. They have newsletters and special papers. There are commuter buses going from many parts of Columbia to DC and Baltimore.

I doubt very much that Crownsville, Gambrills or Davidsonville would give you a sense of community. People who live on large lots do so because they value their privacy.