Just twenty-nine miles southeast of Washington DC in Charles County, lies the suburb known as Waldorf. Once called Beantown, Waldorf owes its roots to the tobacco industry, and later, to the slot machines that became legal from 1949 to 1968. After that time, Waldorf, MD real estate became a suburb of the planned community known as St. Charles.
Today, Waldorf encompasses St.Charles, with a total population of over 67,000 people. It's one of Washington DC's most densely populated suburbs, as well as one of its most sought-after real estate markets.
Waldorf is close enough to everything to make it the ideal spot for home buyers looking to settle near Washington. Surprisingly, it's still surrounded by the charm and easy living of rural America. Bordered on all sides by farms, Waldorf provides plenty of green space and room for residents to get out and about to stretch their legs. This town is also conveniently located a mere 33 miles from Maryland's famous Chesapeake Bay and all that it has to offer, including boating, swimming, crabbing, surfing, boardwalks, and more. The average commute time from Waldorf into the city is roughly 42 minutes, which is just about how long it will take you to get to the beach from your home in this booming suburban metropolis.
You can shop up a storm in Waldorf, MD. Numerous shopping malls abound in this area, including two major ones -- St. Charles Towne Center and the Shops at Waldorf Center. When you visit either of these large shopping venues, you'll find an all-inclusive shopping/dining experience that includes such eateries as Cafe Rio, Chili's Grill and Bar, Cinnabon, and Charlie's Grilled Subs, as well as all your favorite retailers, including Babies R Us, Ulta Beauty ,and Best Buy.
In addition, Waldorf has its own farmer's market that's open seven months out of the year from May through November. So if it's farm-fresh produce that you're hoping to find, you can count on the many local farms in the area to come through for you.
Waldorf, MD offers plenty of places for outdoor play. Several parks, including the Robert D. Stethem Memorial Sports Complex and the White Plains Dog Park offer opportunities for both you and your pet to get outdoors and romp. You'll find picnic areas, baseball fields, football fields, pavilions and playgrounds, as well as designated areas committed to your best four-legged friends.
Waldorf also offers good access to walking, hiking, biking and jogging, thanks to the nearby Cedarville State Forest. This area is home to 3.500 acres of wooded forest as well as Maryland's largest freshwater swamp. The trail through the forest, called the Cedarville State Forest Loop, runs for just a little over nine miles, making for a thru-hike of around 4.5 hours. You'll pass through shady forests, lazy streams, and fields of wild ferns along the way.
The unemployment rate in Waldorf is just a shade over 5 percent, which is only a small increase over the national average. Jobs in this area are typically abundant if you're willing to travel a minimum of 45 minutes. Major employers in and near Waldorf include the Naval Support Facility at Indian Head, the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center, the Southern Maryland Electrical Cooperative and Facchina Construction.
The average household in Waldorf earns around $86,000 annually, working in the fields of sales, finance, management, administration, business, and in miscellaneous office positions. Most residents don't hold college degrees, but rather have high school educations. Many have attended college without obtaining a degree.
Waldorf embraces its cultural heritage with the Piscataway Indian Center and Cultural Museum located on Country Lane and filled with genuine artifacts left behind by our nation's first native people. Kids and adults alike will enjoy spending the day learning more about the Eastern Woodland Indian tribes and visiting the full-scale replica of an authentic Piscataway longhouse.
Another popular, local historic attraction in Waldorf is the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House. Dr. Samuel Mudd is famous locally as the country doctor who, by chance, treated John Wilkes Booth as he fled from the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. His home still stands today as a museum -- a two-story early Victorian structure that also houses a Civil War display and Farm Museum.
When your new home search brings you to the outlying areas of our Nation's Capital, remember to consider the charming community of Waldorf. Offering nearby farms and lots of green space and fresh air, Waldorf is also perfectly situated to make for a convenient commute into and out of bustling Washington, DC. There's plenty to see and experience here, include shopping opportunities, good eating, nearby forested areas to explore, and lots of interesting, local history. Regardless of age, there's something to appease every member of the family when you relocate to scenic Waldorf. Ask your realtor today about Waldorf, MD real estate.
