Arbutus is a quiet suburb in Baltimore County that prides itself on its sense of community. Anyone passing through may see nothing more than webs of single-family homes on diminutive lots sprawling out from Sulphur Spring Road, which serves as the community's small but thriving Main Street. However, this unassuming enclave on the outskirts of Maryland’s largest city is the kind of place where the middle school homecoming parade draws a significant crowd. “When I bought my house, the advertisement was that Arbutus was like a little Mayberry,” says Jeff Choyce, an agent with Exit Results Realty and lifelong area resident. “That feeling has stuck around. There are more renters than there used to be, but we still have that small-town feel here. We always say there are two red lights in downtown Arbutus — one on each end of the main street.” While this two-stoplight town is often overshadowed by Catonsville, its neighbor to the west, Arbutus was the childhood home of ‘80s music icon David Byrne, frontman of the Talking Heads. But aside from its famous former residents, the town prides itself on its community engagement, offering many recreational activities for area youth and a diverse collection of restaurants and bars. This helps Arbutus’s provincial atmosphere to thrive, even in the shadow of a large city.
Bring your family out for a hike in Arbutus.
Arbutus neighborhood is a beautiful location with sloping streets.
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Building up the houses
Single-family homes dominate the market in Arbutus. They often sit on modest lots set back from the streets and sidewalks by concrete stairways or paved driveways. Street parking on the narrow lanes is common, as driveways usually only have space for one vehicle. Backyards are often fenced in and are large enough to accommodate above-ground pools. Styles tend to vary from American Foursquares built in the 1930s to Craftsman bungalows, with midcentury Cape Cods and split-levels peppered throughout. Most detached single-family houses cost between $250,000 and $450,000, while some historic Victorian homes and newly constructed modern traditionals can reach prices above $675,000. Brick rowhouses in traditional Baltimore styles can be found closer to the Beltway, pricing from $200,000 to $480,000 depending on the number of bedrooms and the build year. New homes have been built as recently as 2024.
Victorian style homes can be found near the Relay area of Arbutus.
Large historical homes can be found throughout the greater Arbutus area.
Newly constructed townhomes are available throughout Arbutus in Baltimore, MD.
Ranch-style homes on large lawns nicely balance out their cozy interiors in Arbutus.
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Junior Achievers and Homecoming at Arbutus Middle School
Baltimore County Public Schools is ranked by Niche as the 4th Best District in the Baltimore Area, a rating bolstered by enrichment programs such as the Junior Achievement of Central Maryland, which offers supplemental courses in budgeting and personal finance for area youth. Most students begin at Arbutus Elementary, which earns a B. Arbutus Middle School scores a B-minus and presents a significant annual cause for celebration. “The middle school Homecoming Day parade shuts down Sulphur Spring Road,” Choyce says. “It’s one of the biggest events in the [community.]” Once they reach high school, some students will attend Lansdowne High, rated C; however, most are zoned for Catonsville High, which receives an A-minus. Arbutus also borders the University of Maryland Baltimore County, ranked 14th in the nation on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Most Innovative Schools.
The Greater Arbutus Business Association was founded in 2017.
Catonsville High School is located in Baltimore, MD.
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Take me to the river
Patapsco Valley State Park, the second-largest in Maryland, sits in the southern portion of Arbutus. Residents can head to the park’s Avalon Area, the closest to the community, to fish in the Patapsco River, make s’mores at the designated camping sites or explore the 32 miles of hiking trails. There are smaller parks throughout Arbutus as well, such as the playground at Gay Oaks Park. The area’s many baseball diamonds are popular for drop-in play and as a crucial element of the community fabric. “When I walk into the Arbutus VFW wearing my Arbutus baseball stuff, the older people there always stop me and tell me about the times they played with us, or when their kids played with us,” says JD Diaz, 1st Vice President of Arbutus Little League. “We want it to be about the community - one big giant family. It’s about being part of a team and building memories that the kids will hold on to. Even after my son stops playing, I’m going to continue to be part of it.” When it's raining, the Arbutus Recreation Center's indoor multipurpose room or the local library branch's computer lab offer alternatives.
Walk across the bridge at Patapsco State Park in Arbutus.
There are many great walking trails in Arbutus.
The Thomas Viaduct built in 1835 spans the Patapsco River and Patapsco Valley in Arbutus.
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Little League baseball games and the Fourth of July parade
Many public events in Arbutus happen either around or because of youth sports leagues. Residents have gathered at baseball diamonds for Little League games since 1953, creating a long-held tradition. Other annual events include the Independence Day Parade. “Our Fourth of July isn’t quite like the one they do in Catonsville,” says Choyce. “Over there, people will put up lawn chairs to claim their spot on the side of the road in January. We start ours at noon and clear out by 2:30 most of the time, and then we can watch the Catonsville fireworks over the woods without having to leave home.”
Local shops and restaurants on Sulphur Spring Road
The intersection of East Drive and Sulphur Spring Road comprises the area’s Main Street, boasting a collection of locally owned eateries and boutiques. “Sorrento of Arbutus is the standard. A lot of people come here just to get their pizza,” Choyce says. Evidence of its importance to the community can be found simply by glancing at Sorrento’s signage. The banner above the door thanks Arbutus for supporting the business, relegating the restaurant’s name to the leftmost corner. A plate of catfish and grits with a strong espresso from Our Recipes Cafe is an essential pick-me-up after a long night out at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery's biergarten. The nearest grocery stores are the Save A Lot on East Drive and the Weis Market 1 mile north. There is also a Walmart Supercenter at Lansdowne Station, just over 2 miles east of Arbutus.
Martha's Cafe fin Arbutus is open for dinner, mocktails, smoothies, and handmade ice cream.
T&D Dogs is a corner stand that features hot dogs and brings the summer charm in Arbutus.
The Eskimo Shack is a snowball and ice cream shop located in Arbutus.
The R/C Hollywood theater is a renovated site on Oregon Ave in Arbutus.
Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Arbutus has great food and drinks.
When you live in Arbutus, Guinness Open Gate Brewery is right down the street.
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Straight shot to BWI
Arbutus is traced to the north by Interstate 695, better known as the Baltimore Beltway, and is bisected by Interstate 95. This makes navigating into and around Baltimore simple, although backups on I-695 are notorious. U.S. Highway 1 also runs through the community, offering alternatives for travel into the city and a direct route to Ascension St. Agnes Hospital. Baltimore Washington International Airport is less than 9 miles away and is accessible via auxiliary Interstate 195.
BWI is very close to Arbutus neighborhood.
Residents in Arbutus have access to major highways like I-195 and I-95.
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