Cape St. Claire wasn't always Cape St. Claire. In reality, the community was originally called Persimmon Point. Persimmon Point was a development started by Hugh H. Young, a doctor on the staff of Johns Hopkins University. The development ultimately failed due to the Great Depression, but after Young's death, his children continued to develop the area into a residential community, which eventually became Cape St. Claire as we know it today.
Cape St. Claire is a lovely suburban area with easy access to nearby Annapolis, Maryland. Cape St. Claire has a diverse community, with lots of people who commute into and out of Annapolis for work and play, but who also come for a retreat or escape from Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. Therefore, Cape St. Claire has a vibe that is both suburban and coastal town. With three marinas, tons of parks, and lots and lots of community amenities, Cape St. Claire is one of the most beloved Annapolis suburbs; choose to live there for a relaxing, vacation pace of life or to enjoy a well-cared for, quiet and peaceful hometown.
Moving to Cape St. Claire
If you've decided to look for home rentals in Cape St. Claire, the first step is to decide what you want in an apartment. Are you looking for a certain size, certain amenities or certain location? Once you've decided what's important to you in rental homes, then use an apartments locator to schedule appointments to view available properties. Be sure to schedule as many appointments as possible, because it can be tough to find your dream home in just one shot!
One way to ensure that you do end up snagging the studios or one-bedroom apartments for rent that you love is to prepare early. Gather up all your financial documents, like bank statements, tax returns, pay stubs, proof of employment, proof of income, and all of the other documents that can prove that you'll be an awesome tenant who pays rent on time. If you have any doubts about your qualifications, you can always ask for a letter of reference from a former landlord who can convince your potential landlord that you're a great renter. You can also consider applying with a guarantor, who is someone that has more money than you and can financially guarantee the apartment should anything happen to it.
Neighborhoods in Cape St. Claire
Another important part of moving to a new place is finding out about the neighborhoods within town. Every town has different parts that have different vibes and amenities, and if you want to be sure that you'll be happy in your new home, you're going to want to be sure you end up in the right place. The key to ending up in the right area is doing your research. If you want to know more about where you might end up living in Cape St. Claire before you get there, check out the list below. It can help you narrow down neighborhoods and ensure you end up living in an awesome place.
Persimmon Point: Named after the original development, this neighborhood is bayside, and often considered the nicest and most sought-after area. People that live in this area can enjoy the bay, and they also have access to Lake Claire and Fairwinds Marina. Here, you can shop at local mom and pop shops like Chesapeake Wood Floors and Cape Monograms!
Broadneck Park: Broadneck Park is the southern part of town. There's a lot going on in it in terms of suburban amenities, but it's pretty residential. Here, you can enjoy the activities in Broadneck Park, or enjoy the scenic view of the Little Magothy River. Enjoy delicious dining here; there are tons of options. Some of locals' favorites include Riverbay Roadhouse and Broadneck Grill.
Town Center: The center part of town is actual the central residential area in Cape St. Claire. Come here for quiet tree-lined streets and peaceful living. People here have easy access to the Cape St. Claire Recreation Area. It's easy to run errands in this part of town! You'll be right next to grocery store Graul's Market and Cape Ace Hardware.
Living in Cape St. Claire
If you're looking for a waterside town that feels like vacation all year round, Cape St. Claire might be a great place for you. Because of the many parks and opportunities for water recreation in the area, it certainly feels like a place people go to escape from bustling city life. That's also because it was partially planned to be a vacation town for people in D.C. and Baltimore. But despite these plans, many residents live here full time and commute into and out of Annapolis, meaning there is a strong community of neighbors who know one another.
If you do end up commuting into and out of Annapolis, you'd better have a car. The drive is about 8 miles or 15 minutes, and it's easy to get in and out daily. There is also a bus that leaves once an hour, so it's possible to get around with a car, too. If you don't commute into and out of Annapolis, you can enjoy the amenities and attractions right in Cape St. Claire. Enjoy CSC Beach Park, where you can relax in the sun or take a boat out on the water. You can also learn to Yacht at the Yacht Club of St. Claire, or become a member of the local yacht club. If you don't like to spend time outdoors, you'll still find something to do in town. In town, there's the easy and convenient Cape Saint Claire Shopping Center, as well as excellent local restaurants like Riverbay Roadhouse, Three Brothers pizza, Rams Head Tavern, and Red Hot & Blue. If you end up calling Cape St. Claire home, you'll end up living in a place that offers the best of both the suburban residential and big city entertainment worlds.