Kent Island, Maryland
What It Is Like to Retire in Kent island
Considered the Gateway to the Eastern Shore, Kent Island in Queen Anne County, Maryland, is a suburb of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area, with many of Kent Island residents commuting to those cities. The island is home to historic sites, and the Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway and the American Discovery Trail. Photo of Love Point Road in Historic Stevensville, and photo of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge courtesy of Wikipedia (public domain), photo of Stevensville Train Depot courtesy of Wikipedia and S.W. Clyde, Nat'l Scenic Byways Online, Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0/
Where to Retire in Kent island and Home Prices
In mid-2023, Zillow reported the median home value was $494,241 in Stevensville, which is the central part of the island and a popular town to live in.
What Is Special about Kent island
Kent Island is a quiet suburb of the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area that offers small bay beaches, fishing piers, boating, hike and bike trails, parks and historic areas. The Cross Island Trail and the South Island Trail offer paved miles for walking and biking with nice views of the Chesapeake Bay, parks, and piers.
What Is Not Special about Kent island
Home prices are much higher than the national average. For cultural events you need to leave the island- although Washington D.C. and Baltimore are easily accessible across the bridges, but about an hour away, Annapolis is only about 20 miles away.
Who Will Like Retirement in Kent island
Retirees who enjoy walking, biking and hiking will enjoy the trails, parks and open space. The island has medical facilities, a library, a historical district and outlet shopping, and of course great seafood restaurants.
Local Economy Is Driven by
Kent Island was once a tobacco and corn farming area, a steamboat hub for travel across the Bay, and a major supplier of the Maryland Blue Crab. The Kent Narrows is the strait that separates Kent Island from the mainland of Queen Anne's County and the Eastern Shore, and was once the heart of the seafood industry. There are still a couple of seafood packing houses but today the economy is driven by manufacturing, retail, construction, and tourism.
Climate and Physical Environment
The average January temperature on Kent Island is 36 degrees, July's average temperature is 79 degrees. Kent Island received extensive damage during Hurricane Isabel in 2003. Many historic landmarks and businesses were destroyed by flooding and the storm surge.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Chester and Stevensville have several restaurants; Kent Narrows is surrounded by the Chester River and Eastern Bay and is a a popular destination for boaters, biking and kayaking. Hotels and marinas are located here, along with great crab and seafood restaurants; TripAdvisor.com lists several seafood restaurants and Crab bars with great reviews; Kent Island Day is an annual event to commemorate the founding of Kent Island in 1631 with a parade, historic exhibits, music, food, and vendors; a plethora of cultural sites, activities, and the arts are in nearby Washington D.C., Baltimore and Annapolis.
Crime
The crime rate here is lower than the national average.
Medical facilities
Anne Arundel Medical Center services the area.
Transportation
Baltimore/Washington DC International Airport is about 35 miles away. The towns on the island are not considered very walkable, although there are biking and walking trails.
Comments on "Kent Island"
Mike says:
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