Located about 10 miles from Baltimore and just north of Essex, Middle River is a densely populated community on the coast. A mix of industrial parks, commercial spaces and residential plots comprise inland Middle River, while the water serves as a haven for boaters and fishers. “It’s a highly desirable area for the beautiful sunsets across the bay, and the shores are peppered with yacht clubs and marinas,” says eXp Realtor Skip Tolley, who has sold waterfront property in Baltimore County for over 25 years. “It seems like everybody’s checking out Middle River nowadays.” Some buyers are searching for a summer vacation home, and others settle down here year-round for the location. With the Beltway and U.S. Route 40 flowing nearby, residents can connect to jobs around the county and then come home to a riverfront retreat.
Creeks, rivers and tributaries populate the Middle River area.
Residential plots make up inland Middle River.
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Middle River recreation for land legs and seafarers
Middle River’s proximity to the coast attracts many boaters and anglers. Numerous marinas, such as Bowleys and Goose Harbor, provide space to dock and fish off the pier. Miami Beach Park has a sandy shoreline, popular for sunbathing and relaxing or launching a sailboat. Eastern Regional Park serves as the largest land-based recreation area for Middle River residents. The park features a playground, nature trails and several athletic facilities. Wilson Point and Dark Head Creek parks rest along the waterfront, with fishing piers, playgrounds and trails lining the surrounding creeks and lagoons. During the warmer months, folks can catch a double feature at Bengies Drive-In Theatre. On rainy days, kids can get some energy out at Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park.
Fish off the pier or park your boat at a marina in Middle River.
Explore Wilson Point Park and the different wildlife it has to offer in Middle River.
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Dining fresh off the boat at Carson’s Creekside
Numerous shopping centers provide big-box grocers and department stores, including Target, Costco and Walmart. West of Interstate 95, the White Marsh Mall is a one-stop shop for retail and restaurants. For local produce, Richardson Farms, a farmers' market in the north end, is open daily. While fast and casual dining options, like Hip Hop Fish & Chicken dot the map, most sit-down spots operate right along the water. The family-owned Carson’s Creekside Restaurant, accessible from the road or by boat, serves fresh Chesapeake Bay blue crab and classic American dishes. Similar dining options are nearby on the Bowleys Quarters peninsula.
Grab a drink at Carson's Creekside in Middle River.
Get all of your meat and produce from Richardson Farms in Middle River.
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Aviation history at Martin State Airport and holiday events
The Martin State Airport occupies about one-third of Middle River. The site was formerly the Glenn L. Martin aircraft manufacturing company and now services private operators and the Maryland State Police aviation units. Visitors can check out the Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum to learn about Martin’s role as a 1950s aviation pioneer.
Other unique activities in Middle River include the annual lighted boat parade during the holiday season, the largest event of its kind in the mid-Atlantic. The Tarr Family Farm hosts hayrides and a Winter Wonderland celebration with food trucks, shopping tents and a lighted golf cart parade.
You can't miss the plane on The Landing Strip in Middle River.
The Glenn L Martin Aviation Museum at the Martin State Airport offers immersive guided tours.
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From manufactured homes to waterfront vacation houses
A quick look at the area may resemble a typical residential Baltimore neighborhood, with a mix of row homes and single-family properties. Unlike those suburbs, though, Middle River lies just blocks away from the coast. Properties in the area vary in size and style, from ranch-style and Cape Cod single-family houses to condos and row homes. The largest, priciest properties brush up against the shore with private pools and docks, jutting far out into the Middle River. “It’s a mix of permanent residents and those who buy a second home here,” Tolley says.
Red brick row homes and manufactured housing can start around $100,000 and reach $265,000. Newer townhouses in complexes may sell in the $300,000 and $400,000 range. Single-family builds most often sell between $200,000 and $500,000, though properties on the water and new constructions farther inland can start around $600,000 and surpass $1 million.
There are many great single-family home options in Middle River.
Ranch homes are quite common when you live in Middle River.
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Public schools feed into Kenwood High
Baltimore County Public Schools earns a B grade and the No. 2 spot for most diverse districts in the state on Niche. Children are zoned for elementary and middle schools based on their home address, though Kenwood High serves all of Middle River. Families can enroll their prekindergarten through 12th graders at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, a private, Catholic option nearby with a B-minus.
Martin Boulevard Elementary School in Middle River is a great school.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementar in Middle River is a private school.
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Hopping off the boat and hitting the road
Most residents get around the county by car via the Beltway, I-95 and Route 40. Maryland Transit Administration buses stop farther inland, though Tolley notes that they “don’t come all the way down the neck.” Commuters can hop on a train at the Amtrak station next to the airport. Maryland Area Rail Commuter trains also stop at the station, connecting riders to locations around the Washington-Baltimore region. Commercial flights take off from BWI International Airport, about 25 miles southwest.
Average crime rates, weather and other important factors
Middle River has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 4 out of 10, which is on par with the national average. The community has four distinct seasons and often experiences high winds, especially near the water. Properties along the river often lie in flood plains, and lenders may require annual flood insurance. Noise pollution from the Martin State Airport is another concern for some buyers, but the state has imposed certain abatement procedures, such as limited operations between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
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