Sunset Knoll: A Hidden Gem On The Magothy

One wrong turn off Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard might have people scratching their heads and wondering if they have somehow entered another world. Quietly tucked away in a southwest corner of Pasadena is Sunset Knoll. There are just 63 homes along this beautifully landscaped street, which is also home to horses. If not for access to the majestic Magothy River, surely one might believe this is rural Anne Arundel County, not Pasadena.

The neighborhood is filled with stories of generation after generation living along this idyllic street with roots that go back to the 1960s.

Sunset Knoll Road can easily be walked — starting at Old Magothy Bridge Road and ending at the Magothy. There is no fancy pool. No big marina or expansive community playground. But what Sunset Knoll does offer is a close-knit community where front doors are always open and neighbors are never too busy to stop and chat for a spell.

Residents gather for community beach cleanups and events for the kids, such as Christmas with Santa, Easter egg hunts and summer picnics, just to name a few. They are currently gearing up for the annual pig roast.

Nicole Evans
Lifelong Resident

Nicole Evans’ grandfather built many of the homes along Sunset Knoll, and her parents moved into one of them 50 years ago after they were married. After graduating from college 19 years ago, Evans purchased a home in Sunset Knoll.

“It’s the neighborhood I grew up in, so it was a natural choice,” said Evans. “It’s a family neighborhood, so many families are similar to mine, grew up here and ended up staying here.”

Evans and her siblings attended Pasadena Elementary School, and now her son will start there in September. She said she truly appreciates the deep sense of community Sunset Knoll offers.

Kathy Drexel

30-Year Resident

“My husband’s parents purchased a home here in the ‘60s,” said Kathy Drexel. “When we started our family, we knew we wanted to live nearby so our children could grow up with their grandparents being important in their lives, so we chose a house just a few houses up the street from where my husband lived as a child. We still live there 30 years later.”

Drexel and her husband chose Sunset Knoll because they wanted to be near family. Over the years, they have come to appreciate that family doesn’t mean everyone has to have the same last name.

“Our neighbors watch out for one another,” she said. “When things are going good, we celebrate together, and when they aren’t, we sympathize together. The neighborhood is made up of lots of long-term residents. Several families have parents or siblings that live in the neighborhood as well; I think that tells you a lot about a neighborhood if people recommend it to their families.”

Drexel feels that Sunset Knoll is simply a subset of what makes Pasadena special.

“I think most people in Pasadena have a connection to the area and plan to remain residents; kind of a till-death-do-we-part attitude,” she said. “It’s just a real sense of neighbors helping neighbors, which is nice nowadays and can’t be found in every neighborhood.”

Stacy Golden
Resident for 14 Years

Stacy Golden has lived in Pasadena her whole life, but it was in 2004 that she bought a house in Sunset Knoll with her husband, Joe.

“Pasadena is special because we are surrounded by water on a peninsula,” said Stacy. “We also appreciate the hometown feel. It seems everywhere you go, someone knows you.”

Though Sunset Knoll is a quiet street, football season is a different story. “Our neighbors have become our extended family,” said Stacy. “We actually vacation with them. During football season, we gather weekly to watch the Ravens and share a meal.”

When autumn’s falling leaves change to winter’s falling snow, Mother Nature is no match for the Sunset Knoll residents. “In big snow storms, everyone pitches in, sharing generators and fellowship,” added Stacy.

Sindy Carroll
Resident for three years

Sindy Carroll’s family history in Pasadena can be traced back more than 100 years, though she has lived in Sunset Knoll for only three years. She has cousins who live on the street, too.

“I came to live in Sunset Knoll after meeting my husband three years ago,” explained Carroll. “I’ve known of this community since [I was] a child. My grandparents’ brothers and sisters all lived in this community. Some of their children still do.”

Carroll believes Pasadena is special because of its great restaurants, numerous grocery store options, and proximity to the water for boating or crabbing.

“I would definitely recommend Sunset Knoll,” added Carroll. “It’s clean and quiet. And our neighbors are always around to offer a helping hand. We have each other’s backs.”