Overview
Waldorf is a residential, unincorporated area south of Washington, D.C. in Maryland. With plentiful shopping and plans for further downtown upgrades, it is popular among active adults. In addition, retirees love the easy access to outdoor recreation like hiking and fishing.
Climate & Geography
Located in Central Maryland, Waldorf has a coastal continental climate with subtropical influence. Summers are warm, but can have hot and sticky spells with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Winters are cool and reach freezing temperatures, but these freezes are short. There is higher-than-average rainfall, less-than-average snowfall, and around 199 days of sun each year.
Waldorf is part of the mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain with mostly flat terrain and some hills to the west. The southern and eastern parts of the region are mostly wetlands, and the region is heavily forested with oak and pine trees. The Mattawoman Creek makes up the northern boundary, and Piney Branch tributary creates much of the southwestern boundary.
Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment
Active adults looking for outdoor recreation head to Cedarville State Forest, directly east of Waldorf, where visitors can hike, bike, and fish. The Piscataway Park nearby also provides scenic boardwalks and nature trails. In addition, Potomac Ridge Golf Course is a public course in the town.
For brand-name and designer shopping and dining options, residents head to The Shops at Waldorf Center and the nearby St. Charles Towne Center. Outside of these malls, the city has a revitalization plan for its downtown corridor, and it intends to open numerous boutique and commercial shops, a multi-purpose civic center, and host family events in public spaces and parks.
Other local amenities include several breweries and two local weekend farmers markets. In addition, D.C. is nearby, located just over an hour north of Waldorf.
Cost of Living & Taxes
Waldorf’s cost of living is higher than the national average because of housing and transportation costs. These are followed closely by utilities and groceries, while health care is below average.
Maryland does not tax Social Security benefits, and while income from non-public pensions and retirement savings account are taxed, they are eligible for deduction. Property taxes are average for the country, and there is a Homestead Tax Credit available. Maryland has a flat sales tax rate of 6 percent, which is below average.
Health Care
The D.C. metro area scores well on Gallup’s Well-Being Index, ranking in the top 25 communities across the country.
There are no hospitals in Waldorf, but there are several hospitals in nearby towns that are rated high performing by U.S. News. These include Fort Washington Medical Center in Oxon Hill, MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center in Clinton, and Inova Mount Vernon Hospital in Alexandria.