So what IS there in Mechanicsville?

[NurseSherri]

It's me again... wanting more information on Mechanicsville area... what stores are there? Are there parks? Camping? What is La Plata like, which is likely where I am going to be working? I'm so curious, and can't seem to get a good picture in my mind about what this place is like! We see a house for rent there in Mechanicsville that has been posted since May... is that normal for a house to not rent for so long? It looks nice in the pictures...

 

[Baja28]

ME!!

 

[fatratcat]

It's me again... wanting more information on Mechanicsville area... what stores are there? Are there parks? Camping? What is La Plata like, which is likely where I am going to be working? I'm so curious, and can't seem to get a good picture in my mind about what this place is like! We see a house for rent there in Mechanicsville that has been posted since May... is that normal for a house to not rent for so long? It looks nice in the pictures...

There is an abundance of liquor stores, nail salons, thrift stores (2nd hand & Dollar Stores), bingo places, and fastfood. I'll name them for you.

Liquor Stores: Light House, Vino's 2, McKay's, Fred's, Big Dog's Paradise, A&B, and DJ's One Stop, so if you're thirsty...you're in the right spot.

Thrift/Dollar Stores: Hooks & Hangars, a huge flea market, Looks, Just Between Us, Dollar General, Vintage Value, and Family Dollar (I may have missed a few).

Fastfood: McDonald's, Arby's Wendy's Burger King, Subway, Popeyes, Dunkin Donuts, Pizza Hut, Pizza Hotline, Dominos, 2 or 3 really bad Chinese places (I'm sure there's more but I don't eat that garbage). One Mexican restaurant that is surprisingly good.

Grocery Stores: Food Lion & McKay's (neither are particularly clean or have well rotated stock...you've been warned)

 

[Dye Tied]

ME!!

ME, too!

Less traffic, more Amish. More central to other locations. Less fast food and liquor stores than Lex. Park/Calif. and Great Mills. It's just nicer.

 

[DoWhat]

ME!!

Maybe she can get your medicine cheaper for you when she gets here.

 

[vraiblonde]

There are a few strip malls in Charlotte Hall with restaurants and what-have-you, and Gilbert Run park is terrific (hiking trails, lake, paddle boat rentals, etc). Most importantly, you will be a hopskipjump from Chaptico Market.

People shy away from Mechanicsville because they want to cluster in Lex Park to be close to base, but those that live there will tell you the commute isn't that bad.

 

[bresamil]

The thing to remember is that the Mechanicsville zip code covers a huge area from one side of the county to the other. The northwest portion is closer to the stores and restaurants. Neighborhoods in that area are Persimmon Hills, Ben Oaks, Lavendar Estates. There are some smaller developments as well. There is a complex of soccer, football, and baseball fields plus tennis and basketball courts, and a playground behind Lettie Dent school. (5th district park)

I live in the northeast portion and it is more of a "rural" setting in that yes, we have neighborhoods, but not much commerce. Where I live there are two race tracks (oval and drag), farms, a big soccer park, and waterfront. The only big neighborhood is Wicomico Shores.

Neighborhoods that are in the "center" of Mechanicsville zip code are Country Lakes, Shannon Run, and Birch Manor. There are some smaller developments as well.

There are also some neighborhoods off of Rt 235 (the main road to the base) such as Sandgates. They also do not have much commerce.

Many neighborhoods in the county have their own small parks. Baseball fields are all over the place. There is a nice little park on Rt 235 that has ball fields, a playground, tennis courts, and basketball courts.

You should look up some maps of the area and get a feel for where everything is located.

 

[mudpuddle]

It's me again... wanting more information on Mechanicsville area... what stores are there? Are there parks? Camping? What is La Plata like, which is likely where I am going to be working? I'm so curious, and can't seem to get a good picture in my mind about what this place is like! We see a house for rent there in Mechanicsville that has been posted since May... is that normal for a house to not rent for so long? It looks nice in the pictures...

You can't get a good picture of Mechanicsville in your mind, because there isn't one...It is hard to explain Southern Maryland. It is very different than any other places, I have lived in.
There is no center of town. (Not stores grouped together as you have in other towns.) There is only one highway that runs through Mechanics ville, and what little is there (businesses, etc.) is built up along the highway. (And there is very little there.) There is a park reasonably close by, which is very nice.It is called "Guilbert Run Park"--I know my spelling is wrong--someone else will know how to spell it though! lol It has a lake, where you can rent canoes and paddle boats. You can even take your own kayaks there! And there is a great walking trail! (The park is not very big however...)

The houses in Mechanicsville and overall in Southern Maryland, are very nice! People take pride in their homes here in Southern Maryland. You will be impressed with the landscaping here. You should see how beautiful the gas stations land is! They have beautiful shrubs! Nicer than what I have in my yard!
LaPlata is a town (small and quaint). The only problem with LaPlata is that it is far from everything! So if you want to go anywhere, you have to drive far, except to the town of Waldorf, where you probably don't need to be going...not much there either and tons of traffic!
Good luck with your search! Hope you will be very happy here!

 

[sm8]

Laplata does have a theater also, it is the Port Tobacco Players.

Port Tobacco Players - Home

Laplata also has several nice shopping centers.

 

[mamatutu]

ME!!

You made me laugh! That is a hard thing to do! I don't want to say it was cute because that is not manly; how about confident? Anyway, I liked it!

 

[mamatutu]

NurseSherri, I don't know if this helps, but one of my daughter's best friends lived near LaPlata and Indian Head growing up. She just got married to an EMT/Firefighter, also from the area, and they chose to buy a house in Mechanicsville just this past year, and they absolutely love it. She has a job with the Census Bureau, and drives to DC every day.

 

[Restless]

I feel for you because it is very hard to get a handle on this area without seeing it in person. Coming from San Diego, you are in for a culture shock.

I have lived here for 26 years. I grew up in NJ, in the suburbs across the river from Philadelphia. If I could do it over again, I would have moved to the California area which is closer to everything. We live in Hollywood and it is at least a 20 minute ride to a Target or Walmart. At first the rural area was such a neat change from the suburbs. After a year or two it started getting old. We rack up lots of mileage on the cars and spend a lot of time in the car driving places. If our kids wanted to have a "play date" with a friend, it wasn't a matter of walking down the street. We would have to get in the car and drive 10 or 15 minutes to their house. The nearest mall is 45 minutes away, BTW.

Another place to consider is Leonardtown. There is actually a town with sidewalks! It is the county seat. I think that is the one thing that threw me more than anything. There are no real towns in the whole county except for Leonardtown. There are some very nice subdivisions as well as more rural areas, and good schools. Nice restaurants too.

Mechanicsville is just a postal zone, no town at all. There are some nice subdivisions, Amish farms, fast food places, and bars. That's pretty much it. Further up Route 235 is Charlotte Hall where there are more fast food places, a few other restaurants and two grocery stores, bars, and a nasty flea market.
There is a library too.

I don't mean to down this area, but it will probably seem a little like you stepped into the twilight zone. It is different. We plan on leaving when my husband can retire. It has never really felt like home to us. Others love it here and don't plan on ever leaving. Most people who live here will tell you that it is one of those places where you either love it or hate it. There aren't many in between.

I don't mean to discourage you. I just wish we had known more about the area before we arrived so we could have made better choices.

 

[dt5255]

personally, I love it here. Been here in Mechanicsville area since 1064 when my parents moved us here. I live in the southern part of Mechanicsville in Sandgates. Nice neighborhood . its on the Patuxent River. A stones throw walk away. Two seafood restruants, Seabreeze and Sandgates Inn are right down the street. Seabreeze has a Tiki Bar and bands on the weekends in the summer. Only downfall is all the bikes in the summer but you get used to it. Takes aboout 20 minutes to get to Walmarrt, Target, KMart, Giant. About 25-30 minutes to get to Solomons Island (which is a nice place to walk around), This is the" land of pleasant living"

 

[NurseSherri]

looking at the maps, everything just looks very spread apart and there looks like there are a ton of farms! I'm looking forward to a slower pace of life, but I feel nervous too... it's such a huge change for us. I'm hoping to meet new friends, but it seems like that will be hard to do since there isn't a lot of places to go like coffee houses and such...

 

[mamatutu]

looking at the maps, everything just looks very spread apart and there looks like there are a ton of farms! I'm looking forward to a slower pace of life, but I feel nervous too... it's such a huge change for us. I'm hoping to meet new friends, but it seems like that will be hard to do since there isn't a lot of places to go like coffee houses and such...

Well, the first step is being accepted on this forum that you chose to join to ask questions. I can say from experience, that you have been totally accepted, so you already have some friends before you have moved here. Some forum members do get togethers weekly, plus, they inform when there are fund raisers, get togethers for causes, etc. Yes, the change will be huge, and coffee houses here have a whole new meaning...Starbucks will be as close as you will get. I am a transplant from 15 years ago, and I think this area is absolutely gorgeous and friendly. It will be an adjustment, but there is no way that you won't like it.

Yes, you are coming to one of the most highly taxed states, but that seems to not be in your control. I have to say even though we like it here, we will be moving when my husband retires (8 years), to a state with lower taxation.

 

[mitzi]

Just a thought but since you have looked for work as a nurse in LaPlata, Leonardtown has a very nice hospital. I would be a much closer commute for your husband (20 minutes?) and about the same for you if you chose to live and work in St. Mary's County.

 

[smurfgirl]

I have to agree with the other two people who said consider Leonardtown. I have lived here for 2 years and really like it. You mentioned a coffee shop and Leonardtown has that. I see people sitting outside every morning socializing when I take my kid to school.

 

[Dymphna]

The thing to remember is that the Mechanicsville zip code covers a huge area from one side of the county to the other. The northwest portion is closer to the stores and restaurants. Neighborhoods in that area are Persimmon Hills, Ben Oaks, Lavendar Estates. There are some smaller developments as well. There is a complex of soccer, football, and baseball fields plus tennis and basketball courts, and a playground behind Lettie Dent school. (5th district park)

I live in the northeast portion and it is more of a "rural" setting in that yes, we have neighborhoods, but not much commerce. Where I live there are two race tracks (oval and drag), farms, a big soccer park, and waterfront. The only big neighborhood is Wicomico Shores.

Neighborhoods that are in the "center" of Mechanicsville zip code are Country Lakes, Shannon Run, and Birch Manor. There are some smaller developments as well.

There are also some neighborhoods off of Rt 235 (the main road to the base) such as Sandgates. They also do not have much commerce.

Many neighborhoods in the county have their own small parks. Baseball fields are all over the place. There is a nice little park on Rt 235 that has ball fields, a playground, tennis courts, and basketball courts.

You should look up some maps of the area and get a feel for where everything is located.

You can't get a good picture of Mechanicsville in your mind, because there isn't one...It is hard to explain Southern Maryland. It is very different than any other places, I have lived in.
There is no center of town. (Not stores grouped together as you have in other towns.) There is only one highway that runs through Mechanics ville, and what little is there (businesses, etc.) is built up along the highway. (And there is very little there.) There is a park reasonably close by, which is very nice.It is called "Guilbert Run Park"--I know my spelling is wrong--someone else will know how to spell it though! lol It has a lake, where you can rent canoes and paddle boats. You can even take your own kayaks there! And there is a great walking trail! (The park is not very big however...)

The houses in Mechanicsville and overall in Southern Maryland, are very nice! People take pride in their homes here in Southern Maryland. You will be impressed with the landscaping here. You should see how beautiful the gas stations land is! They have beautiful shrubs! Nicer than what I have in my yard!
LaPlata is a town (small and quaint). The only problem with LaPlata is that it is far from everything! So if you want to go anywhere, you have to drive far, except to the town of Waldorf, where you probably don't need to be going...not much there either and tons of traffic!
Good luck with your search! Hope you will be very happy here!

looking at the maps, everything just looks very spread apart and there looks like there are a ton of farms! I'm looking forward to a slower pace of life, but I feel nervous too... it's such a huge change for us. I'm hoping to meet new friends, but it seems like that will be hard to do since there isn't a lot of places to go like coffee houses and such...

I've never seen zip codes anywhere else like St. Mary's County. There are huge geographic areas within a given zip code with random little post offices that only have PO Boxes with no delivery, so that even the post office isn't in it's own zip code... or rather, the zip only covers the actual building. The result is that "Mechanicsville" as a zip code covers part of Charlotte Hall, New Market, Huntersville, Golden Beach, Oakville, Morganza, Chaptico, Loveville, and a dozen other "towns." But the addresses, and therefore real estate listings, all say, "Mechanicsville." The atmosphere is different in each area.... if you give us a street name, you will get better info. There are a few parks, some of which have been mentioned here, including Gilbert Run (actually in Charles County on the road to LaPlata), 5th District Park, Laurel Grove Park and a few other small places.

I took my kids to a park the other day, about 15 minutes away from home. When we headed back, it was lunch time and the kids asked to stop somewhere to eat. I said, "sorry, there's no food between here and home." No fast food, no sit-down restaurants, just a single mom and pop convienence store.... but 5 minutes passed the house, there is a McDonalds, a Burger King and an Arby's.

There's no good way to explain to someone who's never been here. There's no "city." Clearly, you get that, but there's no quaint small town either. There's a tiny strip mall, then some trees, then another small strip mall, a few mom & pop places, more trees, open fields, some farms some more little shops, some more trees, a bar, a gas station, more trees... some of it is random. Once you get off the main road you get into places with little neighborhoods with 20 or 50 or 100 houses bordered by farms that still manage to grow crops instead of housing developments.

We think nothing of driving 20 miles to go shopping because it only takes 20 minutes (or 15 ) It's 45 min. or an hour to Washington DC, so if you want your city-fix, it's easy enough to get. There's no Starbucks. If we have kids we make friends by joining the PTA or putting the kids in soccer or Sunday school or scouts or go to story time at the library. If we don't have kids... there's a bar or... heck, I don't know, I've got too many kids to know what other people do. Some folks join the volunteer fire department or one of several civic groups.

All in all, it's a great place. But it's going to be a different experience coming from San Diego. You'll just have to see it to understand fully.... and keep an open mind.

 

[mudpuddle]

looking at the maps, everything just looks very spread apart and there looks like there are a ton of farms! I'm looking forward to a slower pace of life, but I feel nervous too... it's such a huge change for us. I'm hoping to meet new friends, but it seems like that will be hard to do since there isn't a lot of places to go like coffee houses and such...

All you have down here is space. You will do lots of driving-always.
When we say things take 20 minutes to get to, think of it as 20 minutes of driving and on a highway as a rule of thumb and not 20 minutes sitting in traffic. You have to stop thinking like a city person and think like a country person. I consider all of Southern Maryland to be a "farming community". When I first moved here, that is how my daughter's teacher told me to use when describing where we lived.

I was shocked to find out that this is not a slow-paced community. It is not a life of leisure that the image is of most Southern Places...
People work 10 times harder than other places. A good part of the people work 2 jobs. My daughter's teacher worked at two schools instead of one, which I found out was almost the norm. And then add on the lengthy car rides to get back and forth.- The good news about all of the driving, is that Southern Maryland is sooooo beautiful!
Most of it is picture-perfect. It feels like you are on a Sunday drive when you go to places (until you have to sit in traffic somewhere!)

You are lucky to find anyplace that has "shops", and when you do, there will not be many choices.Most of the shopping district is down in the California/Lexington Park area--more in the Southern Part.Not in the true Southern Part of the County like where St. Mary's City is.

In all of St. Mary's County, there isn't even a single in-door mall. (someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I live in the Northern part of the County and I'm really not too familiar with the Southern end of the county.)
I have to drive 20 miles/minutes to get to the mall.( You will find that the counties in Southern Maryland are huge!!! Nothing of like what you find near the cities of other places, or what you are used to.)

People here in Southern Maryland (the locals) are very happy not to have the shops/conveniences and don't seem to mind making the drives...only us transplants do! (Of course the men are happy throughout the county-St. Mary's, because there is no shortage of liquor stores!)

I could be wrong about this, but if there is any others, maybe 1?- but I only know of one public library in St. Mary's County. And that is in the Northern part of the county where I live. It is tiny, although they will work with other counties and try to get the books you need.
I'm originally from Philly--there were bookstores that were bigger than the library.

Don't get me wrong, I have grown used to living here, but it has taken me 17 years. It is very different. One thing I have never gotten used to (or tired of) is how beautiful Southern Maryland is, how warm and friendly the people are, and how much pride/love/care people take in the care of their homes/barns. It just amazes me!
(You'll have to get used to people waving all the times when they drive by. Now I wave at people without even thinking about it! I am waving at complete strangers! lol)

I love living next to the Amish. Their farms are so beautiful and I love buying their goods at the Farmer's Market, and they have their own little "cubby space", by the library. I love that our banks and our supermarkets--all two of them, have hitching posts for their horses!)

(one thing to plan on is having a hard time with finding a good dentist. It took me several years before I found one. But relax, he is located in MECHANICSVILLE! lol.)

You have to forget all of your memories of where you have lived, and come here with a clean and open slate. You can't compare with what you have left behind, or you will never be happy...just my opinion, talking from my experiences. Once I stopped comparing my life here with the life I left behind in Philly and the surrounding areas, I was/am fine!

It will be a culture shock, but just go with the flow!

Oh, and I finally learned the true meaning of "pitch dark". (I never understood that meaning when I was growing up! lol).
It means that when you lose power at night in your home, you can't even see your hand in front of your face...and, you have to drive with your high-beams on at night. At least I do, on some of the roads where I live!

Oh, and if it doesn't sound like it, I am happy living here. Just don't know if we'll be retiring here.

 

[BOP]

personally, I love it here. Been here in Mechanicsville area since 1064 when my parents moved us here. I live in the southern part of Mechanicsville in Sandgates. Nice neighborhood . its on the Patuxent River. A stones throw walk away. Two seafood restruants, Seabreeze and Sandgates Inn are right down the street. Seabreeze has a Tiki Bar and bands on the weekends in the summer. Only downfall is all the bikes in the summer but you get used to it. Takes aboout 20 minutes to get to Walmarrt, Target, KMart, Giant. About 25-30 minutes to get to Solomons Island (which is a nice place to walk around), This is the" land of pleasant living"

Wow! You're old! Are you vampires?