Zebulon Pike went to a lot of places in his life of soldiering and exploration around the start of the 19th century. Pikesville was not one of them, but that didn't stop the folks in Maryland from naming their town after him. And even after decades in the Baltimore area, I can't tell you why they did. But I can tell you about the things old Zebulon never saw in this suburban area that is defined by ZIP code 21208.
Pikesville sits northwest of Baltimore City, and just about all of it is in Baltimore County. Like many old areas, though, the city/county dividing line was drawn after the area grew up and so the line runs right through some properties. Not long ago I sold a house on Seven Mile Lane that was Pikesville but also Baltimore City.
What's even more interesting is that some houses in this area are actually in both the city and county. When one of those comes on the market it has a unique selling advantage: the homeowners can have the benefits of both. For instance, many city employees and officials are required to live within Baltimore City. But they might want to send their children to county schools – Pikesville High School was rated in the top 300 in the nation by Newsweek magazine for 2005, 2006, and 2007 – and that city/county house would make it possible.
Even though Pikesville is close to the city line, it has many country-like features. The private Woodholme Country Club sprawls through rolling parts of 21208, but there are old homes adjacent. One property I sold on Nelson Road was so close that it came with a mild hazard – golf balls have broken a garage window more than once! And then there was the time some bison broke free from a neighboring farm and roamed through Pikesville. They were finally corralled by police on a tennis court…but that's another story.
Pikesville has a center that combines the charm of the old with conveniences of the new. Some properties like Irving Place are zoned both residential and commercial, making it a versatile possibility for buyers.
Versatility was also an issue for the folks when I originally found them this classic stone rancher on Stevenson Road. They needed a home that combined comfortable family living, in a specific school area, with accessibility for their physically challenged children. It is now on the market again because they have moved to a new neighborhood.
Stone ranchers come in all sizes in 21208, from the large Stevenson Road property to the more modest two- to three-bedroom house on Greenwood Road. I call this one a condo on private land with no fees! Built on a slab, it is a cozy home that was originally a two-bedroom with family room. In this area, people won't look at a two-bedroom house, so the owners built a closet in the family room, repainted, and we had a third bedroom. The house sold as soon as it hit the market.
As with many older areas, Pikesville has neighborhoods that have become attractive for buyers. One of those is Sudbrook Park which is right in the heart of Pikesville. This home on Milford Mill Road, with its two-story addition that includes a master suite, has the added advantage of being in easy walking distance to the Light Rail, and so to downtown Baltimore.
For those who want the pleasures of living in Pikesville without the property maintenance, there are plenty of options here, too. On Raisin Tree Circle you can have the convenience of a townhouse with garage, but none of the work. This unit backs to the woods, and the swimming pool and tennis courts will give the owners plenty of ways to get exercise without mowing lawns and shoveling snow.
Now that the Baby Boomer generation is seeking more comfort and convenience, condos like Raisin Tree Circle and Stonehenge Circle are becoming more popular. Stonehenge Circle has the added advantages of completely step-free access, and being one of only six units in a building. Adjacent to elegant individual homes but still in the heart of Pikesville, this is a great location for an older couple who want to stay in the area but need more convenience. Just the other day, in fact, I showed the property to a man of 90 with his 84 year old wife!
That's something you see in Pikesville – people stay in the area. They move from house to house, but not away. A while back I sold what I call a "forever house" in 21208. This beautiful contemporary on Long Meadow Road has the master bedroom and bath plus two other bedrooms and a bath on the first floor. The second floor has two more large bedrooms and a bath. No matter their age and flexibility, the owners can stay in this home forever with comfort and safety, and still have plenty of room for visiting children and grandchildren.
All those people have to eat, of course, and Pikesville is rich in restaurants. Our favorite – and we are there at least once a week – is the Suburban House. Think neighborhood deli with fantastic food served by our favorite waitress. Mitzu can wait on an entire section loaded with families and still make everyone feel special. She remembers all the tiny personal details, and is a pleasure to watch. At Suburban House, they make the world's largest omelets and serve my favorite chopped salad – Oriental Chicken. Don't forget the Matzo Ball soup – the matzo ball is so big you get a second bowl because it does not all fit in one!
ZIP Code 21208 is city and country and modest houses and extravagant homes. It's a small town in a big city, with good food and convenient transportation. It's a couple of hundred years old and looking forward to the future. Families at every stage of life live here, and that enriches the whole community.
To keep it simple, here are the 21208 listings I've talked about:
http://activerain.com/action/blogsview/52881/82-3-Stevenson-Rd
http://activerain.com/action/blogsview/104403/26-Raisin-Tree-Circle
http://activerain.com/action/blogsview/103523/Stonehenge-Circle-2A-Unit
http://activerain.com/action/blogsview/95916/7-4-Greenwood-Road
http://activerain.com/action/blogsview/72136/413-Milford-Mill-Rd
http://activerain.com/action/blogsview/109085/7927-Long-Meadow-Rd
http://activerain.com/action/blogsview/109045/115-Nelson-Road-Pikesville
http://activerain.com/action/blogsview/109037/34-5-Seven-Mile
http://activerain.com/action/blogsview/109030/5-Irving-Place-Pikesville
And that's not all...here are more examples of 21208's appeal -
http://activerain.com/blogsview/175652/7529-Rockridge-Road-Pikesville
http://activerain.com/blogsview/167843/8923-Griffin-Way-Pikesville
http://activerain.com/blogsview/159618/3137-Old-Post-Drive
http://activerain.com/blogsview/117458/11-Slade-Avenue-Baltimore
http://activerain.com/blogsview/116606/321-Sudbrook-Rd-Baltimore
Thesa,
Thanks for being the first comment. Enjoyed talking with you tonight!
Steve, Who are your relatives? Is their name Sheer also? Let me know if you have plans to visit Baltimore, would like to meet you.
Pikesville is in the northwest area of Baltimore.
Steve,
Please let me know when you will be in town. so I can show you more of Baltimore! Great restaurants close to the airport! Your domain could also be StevesCheer.com But I bet you already knew that!
Thanks for the Blog Entry: He Never Slept Here in 21208, Maryland - Localism Featured post!!
Hi Margaret - I love this post!! You did a great job painting a lovely and charming picture of your area....love how you tied in history, pictures, listings, and of course FOOD.
CONGRATULATIONS on your FIRST place win in the contest!! Well-deserved for sure!!!
Ann
Vickie, This was a fun challenge and those sandwiches are awesome.
Sharon, Thanks #1 blogger or Active Rain! I am honored by your comments!
Gena, Thank you and all the judges for selecting this post for first place. You are amazing giving so much of your time, energy and encouragement to this project. I loved your post and the way you anounced the winners. And the Winners Are... (Members Only) I love the graphiic of my name in the "number one'.
I am honored to be chosen and have a great deal of appreciation and admiration for all your efforts and planning for this event.
Hi Margaret-
Congratulations on the #1 Prize!
You obviously put a ton of work into the post and everything tied together very well.
Margaret,
Absolutely SPECTACULAR job on this post!
What a great story of your market!
Thanks for all of your work on putting this together and CONGRATULATIONS!
Lucky :)
Marc, #1 is a nice place to be! This was a good way to showcase some of my listings.
Ryan, Those are some very nice words!
Beth, Glad you enjoyed. Hoping that those buyers will find this useful.
Kaye, Thanks for the graphic! That's what I wanted to show..a mix of my listings.
Sally, Thank you, glad you liked it.
Ruth, Let me know when you are planning to be here for that visit. It would be my pleasure to show you around.
Yolanda, We do have some great food here! Welcome to Active Rain.
Lucky, Thank you, thank you and thank you again!!
Gena, I really, realy love the trophy. How did you do that? Thank you for your attention to details!
Hi Margaret,
A big wow! Many well-deserved congrats for your 1st place award! This is a wonerful post with beautful photos and wonderful links. Those berries look good enough to eat!
Hi Margaret,
Congratulations on first place. This is a great post, you made it interesting and informative with your words and photos. I enjoyed reading it and learned a few things, too. :)
Doreen
Gena, Thanks again! Love having my own trophy!
Llisa and Robert, Thank you. Could you be a bit hungry?
Doreen, Welcome to Active Rain. Let me know if you need any help.
Eveline, Thanks for those nice words. When are you coming back to area for a visit?
Cathy, Glad you enjoyed the travels. Thanks for your comments.
Debi, Nice words; thank you.
Renee, Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the kind words. Noticed that you are new to Active Rain. Please let me know if I can help with anything.
Hi Margaret - I included this post in this week's Localism Week in Review. This is a great post on your area!
Ann
Ann, Thank you for including this post in Localism Week in Review This is the comment I left on your very special post recognizing so many of the Rainers:
This one is bookmarked! So many good blogs...so little time. Ann, you are amazing to have put together this post. The hours you spent reading had to be enormous. Thank you for the mention and thank you for ALL that you do for all of us on Active Rain. This post deserves a star!!
I love the little white country house.
You also made me hungry. = )
He Never Slept Here in 21208, Maryland Blog. It really grabbed my attention, too! Hugs to a fellow
Wynne, I adore you and your comments!! Hope you come to Maryland soon! Miss you and all the CS's.
Received a call from an agent in Az. with a client in Utah who parents live in Pikesville. She read this post and felt we would be a good match. Hope to soon have a listing appointment. That kind of connection would probably not have happened without blogging here on Active Rain.
Here is a coop in Baltimore County in Pikesville 21208 Please take a look.
11 Slade Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21208
Wynne, Thanks for this very special post She Sells, She writes, She Considers and She is A Cyberstar
Take a look at the comment I posted about you!!
Margaret
I bet you could write some good posts about your "loose" horses. Where did you grow up and where are you living now?
Margaret, That last comment was from me. For some reason my name did not auto-fill on that comment. I grew up here in Annapolis and am now living full time in Annapolis again.
Pat Hommel, Annapolis.
Pat, If you forget to sign in, your name does not show up and no one knows who you are..and we all want to know you. Love the way you have "jumped" into Active Rain. I am proud of you!!
Look forward to hearing your horse stories!