Lansdowne has many small ponds and lakes all around it! These were created back in the 1800s when underground springs began to fill abandoned ore mining pits and they turned into beautiful bodies of water!
Located just south of Baltimore, Lansdowne, MD is a small community with a population of 8,409 and sits on a land area of only 2.28 square miles. The Whitaker Iron Company used the area where the town now stands for mining purposes during the late 1800s. When the mines closed down, the empty pits filled with water from underground springs, creating the various ponds and lakes in and around the town seen today. Shortly afterwards, the railroad came to town providing much needed transportation for residents commuting daily to Baltimore for work, earning the town the nickname, B and O. Today, many of the locals still make the daily trek to Baltimore, however they now have a choice of driving along the Lansdowne Road or taking the ferry across the Patapsco River. There are two main highways commuters can take to get to the ferry -- Hammonds Ferry Road and Hollins Ferry Road.
Moving to Lansdowne
If you are planning on renting an apartment in Lansdowne, you might have a tough time finding vacant house to rent or apartment. Being a small town, there are not too many residential properties in the first place, and since the prices are so low, the ones that are there get rented out rather quickly. Lansdowne properties are about half the cost of homes in the rest of Maryland. This could be due to the fact that the houses here are generally older, as well. The majority of the houses in town were built before the 1960s. Many new buildings have been erected within the past few decades, but the older homes still outnumber these by quite a large margin.
Deciding Whether to Rent or Buy
Although the house prices are relatively low, rent is pretty high. If you begin your search soon enough, you may be able to land a reasonably priced apartment, or get on a waiting list for a low cost unit. Otherwise, you may be stuck with a hefty monthly rental bill, or get stuck without a home at all.
If you are afraid of living in a high rise apartment complex, you have nothing to worry about. The rental properties in Lansdowne are either low rise buildings, not more than three stories tall or townhouses. There are a few single family homes available for rent, as well.
Visiting Properties
When you go visit a potential house to rent, don't be afraid to ask the owner or landlord a lot of questions. If they seem to dodge your questions or avoid giving you a straight answer -- run! They are obviously trying to hide something. Never settle for the first place you see either. Make an appointment to see several homes on the same visit to Lansdowne so that you won't have to make as many trips to town. This is especially important if you currently live quite a distance from there.
If the place you are looking at has occupants, try to ask them a few questions. This is especially important if you are renting because the tenants can tell you things about the landlord or the property that could make the difference between whether you decide to take the place or not. The landlord could be great and easy going, or a total tyrant. This information is something you will want to know up front rather than find out later.
Neighborhoods of Lansdowne
The town of Lansdowne, Maryland was basically divided in half during the early part of the 1960s. The railroad crossing that had served the town so well for many years was closed down and replaced by the Lansdowne Boulevard. Aside from that, the town is like one big happy family. There are not any distinct differences from one part of town to another.
The town does not have too many schools, so if that is an important factor for you, you may have to search for quite some time before you find a suitable home. You may be able to get your name onto a few waiting lists so that when a vacancy does open up, the landlord will be able to contact you.
Living in Lansdowne
Life in this quaint little town is very peaceful. Crime is almost non-existent. You can safely walk the streets at night. For entertainment, there are nearby lakes and museums, as well as plenty of parks. Shopping opportunities range from the big box stores known around the world to small boutiques. And of course, there is a huge variety of restaurants, like Gianni's Italian Bistro or Grace Cafe! There are also beautiful grassy areas, like Hillcrest Park and Unger's Field, where you can find a secluded little spot to have lunch, read a good book or have a game of catch!