What is it like to live in Riviera Beach?
Riviera Beach is one of the oldest waterfront communities in Pasadena, Maryland. Lots were first sold in 1924, the community association dates to 1949, and the neighborhood sits on the Patapsco River near Stoney Creek, with the Bar Harbor section holding riparian rights to the water.
It is a big, busy market with homes at many price points. Bright MLS shows 31 sales in the 12 months ending Nov 3, 2026, at a median of $430,000, from $275,000 to $599,990.
Updated by James Bowerman, Realtor, Real Creative Group of Douglas Realty.
1924
first lots sold
1949
association founded
$430,000
median sold price (12 months)
31
sales in 12 months
Sales: Bright MLS, 12 months ending Nov 3, 2026. Homes: community association history.
Riviera Beach quick facts
| Location | On the Patapsco River near Stoney Creek, Pasadena, MD 21122 |
| History | Lots sold from 1924; association since 1949 |
| Water | Patapsco River and Stoney Creek; riparian rights in the Bar Harbor section |
| Streets | Main Ave, Meadow Rd, Carroll Rd, Kenwood Rd, Dale Rd and more |
| Public schools | Riviera Beach Elementary, Northeast Middle and Northeast High (confirm by address) |
| Recent market | 31 sales, $430,000 median, 18 median days on market, 100.0% sold-to-list; 4 active (Bright MLS, 12 months ending Nov 3, 2026) |
A century on the Patapsco
Riviera Beach began as a summer resort in the 1920s, when Baltimore families bought lots near the water. The community association formed in 1949 and still organizes the neighborhood today.
In the Bar Harbor section, homes carry riparian rights to the water, and many residents keep boats on Stoney Creek or the Patapsco.
The homes: what you get in Riviera Beach
Riviera Beach homes range from original cottages and bungalows to ranchers, capes and newer builds, which is why recent sales ran from $275,000 to $599,990. Waterfront homes and the Bar Harbor section carry the premium.
| Feature | What is typical |
|---|---|
| Style | Cottages, bungalows, ranchers, capes and newer homes |
| Price range | $275,000 to $599,990 in recent sales |
| Location premium | Waterfront and the Bar Harbor riparian section |
Buyer tip: on the water, the pier and shoreline matter as much as the house. Ask for the pier and bulkhead or riprap condition, the water depth at low tide, any Critical Area or permit history, flood zone and insurance quotes, and whether the home is on public water and sewer or a private well and septic system.
Schools serving Riviera Beach
Riviera Beach is served by Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Boundaries can change, so always confirm the assignment for a specific address with the AACPS school locator.
| School | Grades | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Riviera Beach Elementary | Pre-K to 5 | 8515 Jenkins Rd |
| Northeast Middle | 6 to 8 | 7922 Outing Avenue |
| Northeast High | 9 to 12 | 1121 Duvall Hwy |
Things nearby
Approximate driving distances from the neighborhood map center, based on road-routing estimates. Your route will vary by address. Linked names open their current directory listing on Real Pasadena. Listings and addresses checked November 5, 2026; check with each business for current hours.
Parks, water and local favorites
- The Human Bean, 8553 Fort Smallwood Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122: about 0.9 miles by road.
- Primo Pasta Kitchen, 8557 Fort Smallwood Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122: about 0.9 miles by road.
- Sand & Silo Marketplace, 8567 Fort Smallwood Rd Suite A, Pasadena, MD 21122: about 1.4 miles by road.
- Stoney Creek Inn, 8238 Fort Smallwood Rd, Curtis Bay, MD 21226: about 1.4 miles by road.
Commutes
- MD-100 at I-97: 11.1 mi, 18 min
- BWI Airport: 15.4 mi, 26 min
- Annapolis: 16.4 mi, 28 min
- Fort Meade: 18.5 mi, 32 min
- Baltimore Inner Harbor: 16.7 mi, 28 min
Rush-hour times run longer. If you commute to eastern Baltimore County, plan around the Francis Scott Key Bridge closure: the bridge collapsed in March 2024 and the Maryland Transportation Authority’s current target for the replacement is 2030, so that trip uses the Harbor or Fort McHenry tunnels for now.
Map of Riviera Beach
Pros and considerations
Why buyers choose it
- One of the oldest waterfront communities in Pasadena
- Water access on the Patapsco and Stoney Creek
- A wide range of prices
- Plenty of homes for sale
Things to weigh
- Older homes vary a lot in condition
- Small lots on some streets
- Flood zones near the water
- Riparian rights vary by section
Who buys in Riviera Beach
Riviera Beach buyers include first-time buyers, boaters and investors who want to be near the water at a lower price. Nearby, Bayside Beach has a private beach and ramp on Bodkin Creek, and Green Haven has a community pier on Stoney Creek.
James’s take
Riviera Beach is an established neighborhood with a lot of history and a very active community. That sense of an existing community, rather than a brand-new development, is what stands out to me.
Riviera Beach market snapshot
| Measure | Last 12 months |
|---|---|
| Homes sold | 31 |
| Median sold price | $430,000 |
| Average sold price | $424,892 |
| Sold price range | $275,000 to $599,990 |
| Median days on market | 18 |
| Median sold-to-list price | 100.0% |
| On the market now | 4 active |
With 31 sales and an 18-day median, Riviera Beach moves at a healthy pace. Condition and water access drive most of the price difference.
Riviera Beach FAQ
Where is Riviera Beach in Pasadena, MD?
Riviera Beach is on the Patapsco River near Stoney Creek in Pasadena, Maryland 21122.
How old is Riviera Beach?
Lots were first sold in 1924, and the community association was founded in 1949.
What is the Bar Harbor section?
Bar Harbor is a section of Riviera Beach where homes carry riparian rights to the water. Confirm the rights for any specific lot.
What schools serve Riviera Beach?
Riviera Beach is zoned for Riviera Beach Elementary, Northeast Middle and Northeast High in Anne Arundel County Public Schools, based on the county attendance-area maps. Confirm any specific address with the AACPS school locator.
What do homes in Riviera Beach cost?
31 homes sold in Riviera Beach in the last 12 months, at a median price of $430,000 and an average of $424,892, ranging from $275,000 to $599,990. Median days on market: 18. Median sold-to-list: 100.0%. 4 homes are active today. Source: Bright MLS, 12 months ending Nov 3, 2026.
How long is the commute from Riviera Beach?
Without traffic, it is about 18 minutes to MD-100 at I-97, 26 minutes to BWI, 28 minutes to Annapolis, 32 minutes to Fort Meade and 28 minutes to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Rush-hour times are longer.
More Pasadena communities to compare
Thinking about Riviera Beach?
I’m James Bowerman with Real Creative Group of Douglas Realty in Pasadena. I can send you new Riviera Beach listings the day they hit the market, pull recent sales, or walk a waterfront lot with you. I have been a Pasadena local since 1990, when I started first grade at Bodkin Elementary, and I went on to Chesapeake Middle and Chesapeake High. Our office is at 8221 Ritchie Hwy Ste 101, Pasadena, MD 21122 (MD license #664056). Call or text 410-971-8004.