The Pros and Cons of Living in Harford County, Maryland | Leigh Kaminsky
If you are looking for a place to settle down and call home, Harford County, Maryland may be a great option. Located in the north-central part of the state, it offers plenty of opportunities for shopping, dining, and recreational activities. With a good mix of rural and suburban areas, you can enjoy the peace and quiet of country living while still being close to stores and restaurants. Plus, there are so many day trips to take from this area! In this blog post, I’ll discuss some of the pros and cons of living in Harford County.
Pros of Harford County Living
Seasons
Harford County is a great place to be if you love experiencing all four seasons! It features three months of moderate winters, perfect springs, colorful autumns, and tolerable summers. Springtime in Harford County is especially wonderful, and is my favorite! The trees come alive with stunning blooms of vibrant pink and white colors that create the perfect backdrop for outdoor strolls. As long as you don’t have allergies, it’s an amazing experience you won’t want to miss!
Rural and Suburban Mix
Harford County also offers the perfect balance between rustic living out in nature and convenience near shops and restaurants. Whether you prefer living next to scenic farmland or a bustling neighborhood – Harford County really has it all. In most cases, if you do live out in the rural areas, you are no more than a 10-minute drive to stores and restaurants.
Abundance of Restaurants
Speaking of restaurants, another major pro of living in Harford County is its abundance of restaurants. You won’t see many chain restaurants here instead there is a good mix of local eateries and several of them proudly use locally sourced ingredients. Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner or a casual lunch, you’ll have no trouble finding delicious options.
Day trips galore
One more great thing about living in Harford County is its proximity to so many wonderful places. From beaches to quaint towns to cities, there are plenty of places to explore on weekend getaways or day trips with friends or family. Some daytrips within 3 hours are Washington, DC, the Baltimore Harbor, Philadelphia, New York City, Lancaster, Ocean City, Cape May, Rehoboth Beach, Chesapeake City, Annapolis and Hershey Park.
Downtown areas
Lastly, several towns such as Bel Air and Havre de Grace have a delightful quaint town feel with plenty of character. They have a variety of restaurants and small shops and are the perfect place to take the family for a nice afternoon stroll.
Cons of Harford County Living
Traffic
While there are many positives about living here, there are a few downsides as well. One complaint you may hear among residents is the fact that some roads can be congested during rush hour times or on weekends when people are out shopping or running errands. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking bumper to bumper city traffic, but morning and evening traffic can get a bit busy.
Homeowner Associations (HOAs)
Living in Harford County means you may have to grapple with the rules and regulations of an HOA. As a realtor, I know some of my out-of-town buyers can be uncomfortable with the monthly fees and some of the restrictions placed on the exterior of their homes. HOAs can be great for keeping a uniform look and feeling throughout the neighborhood, but they often require extra expense or additional tasks like registering any modifications you want to do first. With this said, there are still plenty of homes that are not associated with HOAs, but just know your choices would be limited.
Weather Changes
A common running joke in this area is the changing weather. I know I mentioned weather as a positive but because we’re located on the east coast near both mountains and ocean fronts, our day to day (or hour to hour) weather can be unpredictable – one minute it’s sunny and warm outside then suddenly it can start raining or snowing!
Conclusion
Harford County really does offer something for everyone. If you do choose this area as your next home base, I don’t think you will be disappointed. There is much beauty here and many wonderful places to explore throughout this county. Good luck with your decision-making process. If you would like to know more about the Harford County area or need help searching for homes in this area, please contact me. I would love to help!