St. Charles - Waldorf, MD

The community's name comes from its original planners, Saint Charles City, Inc. Though the owners changed to American Community Properties Trust (ACPT), the name St. Charles stuck. Like dozens of other "new towns" in the area, St. Charles began in 1968 when 9,100 acres of farmland was developed into a mix of residential, recreational, educational and commercial sections.

Check out the annual Fall Festival for the Arts and Veteran Opportunities for family-friendly activities and local artwork. In a nearby Waldorf neighborhood, residents can view the historic house of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd who treated John Wilkes Booth and learn more about American farming history at the farm museum.

St. Charles residents have a range of dining options to satisfy any palette. Locally owned establishments as well as chain restaurants gather around St. Charles Town Center, Smallwood Village Center and St. Patrick's Drive.

Order the Godzilla roll or shrimp tempura at Kobe Bar & Grill on Smallwood Village Center and you won't be disappointed. Make sure to grab a $5 drink special, such as the mai tai or sake. For the best slice of pizza in town, head to OBO Pizza and savor a brick-oven-cooked pie with fresh toppings. Locals tout the Dionysus pizza and the basic pepperoni with diced tomatoes.

As the day draws to an end, residents unwind with a brew at the local Irish pub, Grille No 13, fittingly located on St. Patrick's Drive. With open mic night, flatscreens, trivia, hopping DJs, live traditional music and satisfying bar food, this neighborhood pub features something for everyone. Try the whiskey challenge if you're up for it.

Residents head into Washington, D.C. for more nightlife options, such as dance clubs, larger music venues and live theater.

Charles County provides countywide public transportation by way of VanGO, which features a main stop in the St. Charles Towne Center Mall and various other desirable destinations such as the College of Southern Maryland.

Major thoroughfare Routes 301 and 228 provide drivers access to other parts of Waldorf, Charles County and Washington, D.C. Within each planned neighborhood, such as Smallwood or Westlake, residents can walk to some spots and run some errands on foot. However, for many activities and bigger errands or commuting, people rely on a car.

Bikers can choose from several recreational trails, but should use caution if attempting the streets as not all have bike lanes. Parking tends toward free lots or resident specific spots for apartment complexes or houses, but some street parking can be found in busier areas. Those wanting to use car sharing can choose from companies such as Zipcar and Uber. While you won't find any cabs to hail in St. Charles, you can schedule a trip with one of several taxi services.

The rural lands and planning that created the St. Charles community stands evident in its well-maintained parks and recreational areas. Locals like to relax on a warm day lounging at one of the community swimming pools or at O'Donnell Lake.

Join an official community league to play on one of the athletic fields at Robert D. Stethem Memorial Sports Complex, which provides baseball diamonds as well as football and soccer fields. Parents also bring their little ones here for the well-kept playground.

Teenagers and college kids gather for some alternative sports activity at the White Plains Skate Park on Saint Charles Parkway. For a great place to let your dog to run free, head to the Friendship Pet Memorial Park on Mattawoman Drive.

Every summer residents bring a blanket and tasty treats to the family-friendly free summer concert series at O'Donnell Lake. Each Friday showcases a different musical artist and style for all to enjoy, and the excitement starts at 7 PM.

Residents of St. Charles enjoy a reasonable cost of living at about 13 percent lower than the average cost in Washington, D.C. When looking for rental units, you'll find the average monthly rate for a one-bedroom apartment at $1,262 per month. Locals grab the VanGO bus from St. Charles Towne Center into downtown Waldorf for $1 one way or $2 for an all-day pass. Relaxing with a glass of beer at the neighborhood pub runs about $5 per pint. Residents budget about 2 percent above the national average cost of gasoline.

While shopping in St. Charles veers toward the average chain stores, a few hidden specialty and boutique shops can be found. Locals flock to St. Charles Towne Center Mall for the usual suspects — hunting the sales at JC Penney's or browsing bargains at Kohl's.

For a more unique experience and possibly a good old-fashioned smoke, check out Tinder Box for a wide range of cigars and tobacco. For higher-end boutiques, locals head into Alexandria or Washington, D.C.

Try bargain consignment shops Last Stop on Mall Circle or Catherine's Plus Sizes on Smallwood Drive for well-kept, women's vintage ensembles. Book lovers willing to spend a pretty penny even for used books head to Ellie's Paperback Shack on Crain Highway.

Residents do their weekly grocery shopping at BJ's, Safeway or Giant Foods for a wide selection. Try out the health-food store MOM's (My Organic Market) on Plaza Way, where the food is fresh and you can snag a free sample on most days. For a smaller, more local experience, get food, wine, deli meats and beer at Nick's of Clinton. For fresh, local produce and meats head to Zekiah Farms store on Bryantown Road or the weekly Waldorf Farmer's Market.