Maryland 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

9 Active Adult Communities in Maryland

Though Maryland may not have as many active adult communities as some of the more popular retirement states, there are several age-restricted communities scattered throughout the state. These communities have been built by a variety of developers, including Caruso Homes, Del Webb and Summit Homes. Maryland’s active adult communities are often smaller than the sprawling resort-style sites found in some other states. However, Maryland’s communities offer amenities that support an active lifestyle.

As a border state between the American north and south regions, Maryland displays a diverse cultural environment. The areas closest to Washington D.C. feel more like the American northeast, while the southern sections and the Eastern Shore has a decidedly southern atmosphere. The state’s geography is diverse as well, including low marshlands, rolling hills, spectacular mountains and lush forest groves.

Despite Maryland’s small size, the state has surprising variety of climates from one region to the next. The eastern portion of the state—which includes cities like Annapolis and Ocean City—has a humid sub-tropical climate that brings hot, sticky summer and cold, but relatively mild winters. Moving westward, the state begins to show a cooler climate, with lower average temperatures during both the days and nights. While in the extreme western portion of Maryland, which lies in the subtropical highlands near the Appalachian Mountains, summers are mild and winters are prone to snowfall.

Maryland has many prominent cities, such as Annapolis, Baltimore, Bethesda, Easton, Gaithersburg, Hagerstown, Laurel, Ocean City, Rockville and Silver Spring. The state is commonly divided into five distinct regions: the Western Region, Capital Region, Central Region, Southern Region, and the Eastern Shore.

Maryland’s Western Region is part of the Appalachian Mountain Range. The area has many lakes, mountain trails, white-water rapids and lush forests. The highest mountain in the state, Backbone Mountain, stands 3,360 feet tall. The area has many national parks and includes Wisp, a popular ski resort. With its high elevation and northern setting, the Western Region is the first area in the state to experience the changing of the leaves each autumn, making it a picturesque destination for tourists.

The Capital Region, which includes portions of the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, is one of Maryland’s most populous regions. Though the area was once predominantly farmlands, it is now a thriving urban center that is home to many high-tech industries and research centers. Many residents in the Capital Region commute into Washington D.C. daily. It is also a popular place for active adults, and age-restricted communities include Central Parke at Victoria Falls in Laurel.

There are many popular cities in the Capital Region, such as Bethesda. This affluent city is home to many major companies, particularly in high-tech industries. The city also has its own thriving art community, several museums, performing art theaters, shopping districts and fine restaurants. Bethesda also contains the National Institutes of Health main campus and the National Naval Medical Center.

Maryland’s Central Region includes some of the state’s most populous cities. The area is home to the state capital city of Annapolis and to Baltimore, one of Maryland’s most well known cities. There are many historic areas within the Central Region, including historic Fell’s Point, which is located beside Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. There are many active adult communities in the Central Region. A few of these communities include Heritage Harbour in Annapolis, and Carroll Vista in Taneytown.

Baltimore is one of the countries oldest seaports. The Inner Harbor area was once a major manufacturing center, though it is now predominantly known as a tourist town. The harbor area includes the National Aquarium, the Maryland Science Center, several shopping centers, restaurants and museums. Historic Fells Point, which neighbors the Inner Harbor, has many restored buildings that have been converted into waterfront hotels, restaurants, shops and pubs.

The Southern Region is historically a rural, agricultural area, however the expansion of the Washington D.C. suburbs has influenced the area. This suburban development has brought more diversity to the region. As a result, the area has lost some of its typical southern atmosphere, though large portions are still rural. In addition to farmlands, Maryland’s Southern region is known for its seafood, particularly its steamed crabs.

Though large geographically, Maryland’s Eastern Shore is less populated than other areas in the state. The Eastern Shore includes the area between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic area, excluding the northeastern sections, which is part of Delaware. Maryland’s Eastern Shore is a popular tourist destination, and Ocean City is a summer hot spot.

Active adult communities in Maryland’s Eastern Shore tend to be smaller, more intimate communities with less than 500 homes. Yet they offer many popular amenities, such as swimming pools, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, tennis courts and putting greens. A few of the communities found throughout the Eastern Shore include Chesapeake in Easton, Symphony Village in Centreville, and The Parke at Ocean Pines in Ocean City.

Sports lovers will be happy to know that Maryland has a number of major and minor league sports teams. There are two National Football teams in the area: the Baltimore Ravens and the Washington Redskins. The Baltimore Orioles are Maryland’s Major League Baseball team. Maryland residents, particularly those who live near the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, also root for teams that play out of the National Capital, such as the Washington Nationals (baseball), the Washington Capitals (hockey) and the Washington Wizards (basketball).

There are many major highways, which run through Maryland, connecting it with the rest of the East Coast. The state’s major airport is the Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), located just outside of Baltimore. There are two other major airports in nearby Northern Virginia: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Dulles International Airport.

Active adults who settle in Maryland often settle in either Maryland’s Capital, Central or Eastern Shore regions. Communities in the Capital and Central regions are primarily diverse, suburban settings that are within close proximity to major urban centers. The communities in the Eastern Shore have a more relaxed, southern feel. Though both areas offer luxurious housing and cater to affluent active adults.