Located south of Baltimore and just north of Annapolis, Pasadena, Maryland offers residents a way to enjoy proximity to the Chesapeake Bay without being too close to it. “I think people like Pasadena because of the water,” says Realtor Carol Tinnin with Re/Max Leading Edge, who has almost 40 years of experience in the area. “But it’s more of a water-oriented community than a waterfront community. The Magothy and Patapsco Rivers are both close by, but it’s not the kind of place where everyone wants to be right on the river all the time.” Those who live here have the option of quick access to Baltimore but enjoy the more laid-back atmosphere that comes with many coastal communities.
While to outsiders, it can feel like an understated suburb, Pasadena locals know it for its unique, lively and welcoming mix of cultures. “At one point, Pasadena used to be a bit more rural. With the development happening lately, you’ll get more of a hybrid of a bigger suburb and a coastal town,” says Paul McNeill, Jr., a resident of more than 30 years. “But people are still doing small-town stuff out here. They’ll go out to bars, listen to country music, and then pull up to someone’s house and have a bonfire in the backyard.”
Residents of Pasadena can enjoy an afternoon boating along the Magothy River.
Downtown Annapolis is only 11 miles away for residents in Pasadena, Maryland.
Looking for a place to dock your boat? Pasadena’s got you covered.
Pasadena is located just south of Baltimore, with views of the city.
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Homes near the waterfront - but not too near - are popular in Pasadena
Prospective owners will find mostly detached single-family houses in a range of styles, from small ranch-style homes and Cape Cods to larger Colonial Revival and Modern Traditional builds on multi-acre lots. However, even these tend to be diminutive compared to neighboring communities. “Homes in Pasadena are generally smaller than in other nearby cities like Severna Park and Annapolis,” Tinnin says. “There has been a relatively recent boom of construction putting larger homes in, but for the most part, they’re not as big, they’re older, and they’re more affordable than in other parts of Anne Arundel County.” The city is divided into subdivisions threaded through by sidewalks and speckled with mature, leafy trees.
While each community is unique in size and organization, with some being neatly ordered grids and others winding to cul-de-sacs, many offer amenities like private beaches, marinas and deep-water piers. “You really can’t emphasize the importance of water access enough,” Tinnin says. “Even neighborhoods not on the water have community docks and beaches, which is nice for people who either can’t afford or don’t want to be that close to the rivers because of flooding issues or the extra cost.” Landlocked homes begin around $350,000 and climb to around $600,000, while homes with direct water access begin around $700,000 and can rise above the $1 million threshold.
Charming Cape Cod style home located in the Pasadena neighborhood.
Pasadena offers expansive waterfront estates along the Magothy River.
Prospective buyers may choose to explore one of Pasadena's modern colonial homes.
Pasadena waterfront homes boast deep water piers and private water access.
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Waterfront parks are ubiquitous throughout the city
Lake Waterford Park, the largest in Pasadena, offers several miles of walking trails and a lake popular with local anglers. When the weather is pleasant, residents of Stoney Creek can use the High Point Community Beach and Boat Launch. Locals head to Downs Park for the public beach and to launch boats directly into the bay. Fort Smallwood Park is a unique shoreline green space located just 8 miles from the city. It features a historic gun battery and barracks in full view of the Chesapeake Bay, and many consider it a prime fishing spot due to the 380-foot-long Bill Burton Fishing Pier. Golfers can head to nearby courses like Compass Pointe or the Pasadena Golf Center, which also hosts batting cages.
You can enjoy shoreline fishing at the 12 acre lake found in Lake Waterford Park.
Go for a run with a scenic view of the Chesapeake Bay at Downs Park.
Fort Smallwood is a great place in Pasadena to let your dog run on the beach.
Launch your boat in Pasadena at High Point Community Beach.
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The Maryland Renaissance Festival draws many visitors to the area
Every summer, city locals flock to Kurtz’s Beach for the annual Made in Maryland Festival. This one-day event is a celebration of all things Maryland, and includes a live demonstration of jousting, the official state sport. Pasadena is also about 12 miles north of Revel Grove, the home of the Maryland Renaissance Festival since 1985. From August to October, the festival welcomes over 300,000 visitors to the area. This tends to cause severe traffic congestion on nearby roadways, namely at the exit on Interstate 97; however, the festival’s shift to an entirely online ticketing system since 2021 has helped to alleviate the jams.
Anne Arundel Community College is among the nation's best
Pasadena children are zoned to attend Anne Arundel County Public Schools, which earns an overall B-plus from Niche. Standouts include Chesapeake Science Point Charter School, which scores an A and is ranked as the No. 1 Best Charter Middle School in the state. Anne Arundel Community College, located 6 miles down Ritchie Highway, was ranked as the best in the country by Academic Influence in 2021.
Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School near Pasadena gives kids a great education.
Anne Arundel Community College in Pasadena is regarded as one of the best in the country.
School spirit at Northeast High School brings vibrance to the Pasadena community.
Pasadena Elementary School is a public school serving grades PK-5 in Pasadena.
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Twain's Tavern and Irv's Basement Bar are popular local hangouts
Pasadena’s highway access provides city residents with a plethora of shopping options. “Anything you need is close by, be it on Ritchie Highway or up Maryland Route 100,” Tinnin says. Big-box retailers and grocery stores like Walmart, Food Lion and Aldi line Ritchie Highway, the main thruway of the city. Arundel Mills, Maryland’s largest mall that is home to over 200 stores, is just 11 miles west on Route 100. Seafood restaurants along Mountain Road, such as Kent Island Crab, offer the region’s favorite steamed blue crabs. Twain’s Tavern on Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard is a popular live music pub with a simple menu of burgers and crab soup, and Irv’s Basement Bar is a unique underground establishment run by a local named Irv out of his home’s basement. The bar is adorned with the signatures of its patrons who have gathered there over the years, and with some of their undergarments hanging from the ceiling.
Twain’s Tavern is the go-to spot to meet up with friends for drinks in Pasadena.
Walmart is a great place in the Pasadena area to get your shopping done.
There are endless shopping options along Ritchie Highway in Pasadena.
Arundel Mills Mall near Pasadena is a great place to spend a day shopping.
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Ritchie Highway and Route 100 are major connectors for the city
Pasadena residents can connect to other area cities through several major thoroughfares. “It’s got great midpoint access to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. via Maryland Route 100,” Tinnin says. “And Ritchie Highway is close by, so getting to Annapolis is simple, too.” Route 100 also provides the most direct route to Baltimore Washington International Airport, an 11-mile trip.
Crime rates in Pasadena fall within the national average
Pasadena's CAP Index Crime score is 4 out of 10, which is in line with the national average. The FBI Crime Data Explorer shows that both violent and property crime rates in Anne Arundel County have remained consistent with the average since 2020.
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