I am a long time resident of Chapelgate, in Odenton.
When we first moved into the area it was not bad. It was a modest development that lay quietly in the middle of what is now Piney Orchard. It was perfect for my husband and I. We were able to buy more house than we needed at a reasonable price, that afforded us the opportunity to grow INTO a house, rather than quickly grow out of one.
I live in a quiet cul-de-sac, that, for the most part is filled with owners. There are a few renters, but otherwise, we have all been there for quite some time.
Outside of my little "bubble" (since living in a cul-de-sac located immediately inside the development tends to keep us to ourselves) the neighborhood has been changing, however.
I counted at LEAST 6 "For Sale" signs on the "main drag" (Chapelgate Drive) and several "For Rent". Talk about a buyers market!!
Is it BRAC? (I don't think so, personally. I haven't seen the "wonderful" things that BRAC was supposed to do for the real estate market.)
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Is it a sudden boom in "empty nesters" that are looking to join the ranks living in "active adult communities"?
I am not sure what my point is, other than to say that I find it a little sad to see so many folks moving on. I can't say I blame them. Chapelgate is NOT what it used to be.
I guess I am feeling a little nostalgic and longing for the days when the kids could go outside and play in the court together and the parents talked to one another and you could borrow a cup of sugar over your backyard fence from your neighbor (remember, Chapelgate is primarily duplexes).
Who knows? Maybe this being the final season of Desperate Housewives and thus the end of watching another "tight knit" community – however dysfunctional – has me longing for the "good ol' days."
