Frederick
Overview
Frederick, Maryland is the perfect location for homebuyers that are looking for a strong return on their investment and a charming, smaller-town feel. Potential homebuyers are also likely to enjoy the sense of community amongst Frederick residents.
Real Estate
Frederick has a population of 65,000 people, who reside in approximately 22,000 houses and apartments. Large portions of residents live in single-family homes, row houses, and large apartment complexes. Those who purchase a home in Frederick have proven themselves to be wise investors. Although appreciation rates slumped for a period of time, recent growth and development have led to drastically high appreciation rates in Frederick. In the past ten years, appreciation rates have averaged over 90%. This has placed Frederick's homes as some of the highest appreciating homes in America. Also, over the past year average appreciation rates have exceeded 3%. These homes were built primarily between the 1970s and 1990s, along with a large number of homes having been constructed between the 1940s and 1960s. These homes are located in a variety of settings. Around the city center, neighborhoods tend to have a noticeably more urban feel. Further away from the town center, neighborhoods have a more suburban feel. There are also many areas with homes positioned on several acres of land with a more rural feel.
Currently, there are 680 houses for sale in Frederick. The median sales price of 1,000 recently sold homes is approximately $208,000. This works out to about $128 per square foot. Condominiums in Frederick typically range from the mid 200s to the 300s and up. There are also 180 foreclosures available in Frederick. These homes range in price from the low 100s to the high 600s and up. If you're not quite ready to purchase a house or condo in Frederick, there are also a number of affordable housing options in Frederick. The median gross rent in Frederick is about $1,100; however, rent varies greatly depending on location.
Education
The Frederick County Public School District serves the residents of Frederick. Students attend one of four local high schools: Frederick High School, Governor Thomas Johnson High School, Tuscarora High School, or Oakdale High School. Each school offers superb academic and athletic programs as evidenced by high graduation rates and a multitude of state championships in a variety of sports. Residents of Frederick can rest-assured that their children's education is in good hands. Frederick is also home to institutions of higher learning, including Frederick Community College, Hood College, and Mount St. Mary's University.
Shop and Dine
Downtown Frederick boasts over 600 retailers and restaurants. Some of the local favorite restaurants include Monocacy Crossing, which serves unique surf and turf creations; Isabella's, which features authentic Spanish cuisine and; Mangia e Bevi, which has been voted the best Italian restaurant, best new restaurant, and best overall restaurant in Frederick. Although Mangia offers a variety of world-class fare, many locals also consider Mangia to have the best pizza in the area.
Arts and Culture
Visitors and new homeowners are quick to notice the sense of community in Frederick, which is showcased by a number of cultural and artistic events. Downtown Frederick features over 10 art galleries and three theaters: the Maryland Ensemble Theatre, Weinberg Center for the Arts, and the Cultural Center for the Arts. The Ensemble Theatre is a local favorite that is home to a professional theatre company and it's own improve comedy group. The Frederick Arts Council has made its goal to promote the arts throughout Frederick. One way that that they have done so is through the installation of numerous art exhibits throughout the city.
Frederick is also home to several musical groups. The Frederick Symphony Orchestra performs five concerts each year. There is also the Frederick Chorale, the Choral Arts Society of Frederick, the Frederick Regional Youth Orchestra, the Frederick Symphonic Band, and the Frederick Children's Chorus. Each Sunday at noon, a recital is performed on the Joseph Dill Baker Carillion, located in Baker Park. Frederick is also home to the Frederick School of Classical Ballet and boasts a large amphitheatre in Baker Park, which hosts a number of concerts in the warmer months.
Frederick also hosts the locally and regionally favorite "First Saturday". The first Saturday of each month a theme is selected and events and activities are planned around that theme across 10 blocks of downtown Frederick. During the summer months the event has become extremely popular and has drawn thousands of festivalgoers.
Recreation
Frederick offers a variety of recreational opportunities, which are focused primarily around a number of parks and recreational centers. Frederick's six recreational centers allow residents to utilize baseball fields, basketball courts, soccer fields, volleyball nets, gymnasiums, and playgrounds. Another focal point of Frederick is the Fountain Rock Park. The Park sits on over 22 acres of land containing buildings dating back to the mid 1800s, along with fishing ponds and a boardwalk surrounding one pond. There is also a Nature Center where children can come to learn about a variety of animals through live exhibits.
Business
Frederick is home to several large employers including, Fort Detrick, Wells Fargo, UnitedHealth Group, State Farm and BP Solar. Riverside Research Park is located in Frederick, which is an up-and-coming biomedical research park that currently houses the National Cancer Institute and Charles River Labs.
Transportation
Frederick is located at the junction of Interstate 70, Interstate 270, Route 340, Route 40, and Route 15. TransIT Services of Frederick County operates a number of bus routes, shuttles and commuter buses throughout Frederick. TransIT lines connect passengers with the MARC Train Station located in Frederick, which enables passengers to commute to Washington, D.C. via a connection at the Shady Grove Metro Station.
