Kids in New Castle (Bear, Glasgow: crime rate, townhouse, safe area)

[outofny]

I am a divorce woman (40) with a 10 yr. daughter who is fed-up with NYC and its population. I have decided to relocate to New Castle. I am looking for info on the school district in New Castle and activities for my daughter who currently plays softball, basketball, soccer. What does a 10 yr. old do for entertainment? We are coming from a big city where skating, movies theaters is all round the corner. How does the kids commute back and forward from school when the parents commute from the larger areas? What is the crime rate in New Castle?

The only thing I know for sure..is that I have to leave NYC

Many thanks

[SXMGirl]

I teach in New Castle, and the schools are improving. As far as activities in New Castle, there is Bowlerama, PAL, Boys and Girls Club, and a fitness center with a pool (can't remember the name). A new YMCA is being built in Bear (it is almost finished), across from Glasgow Park, which is being geared toward families. Colonial School District has many activities for your daughter to get involved in, and I would definitely encourage that. If you have specific questions, please PM me.

[mikandmari]

Are you referring to New Castle County, which encompasses a lot of different areas (some better to raise kids than others) or specifically the city of New Castle (zip code 19720), which does have many rough, lower end neighborhoods?

What type of community are you looking for.... townhouse/detached, price range? We can probably tell you what neighborhoods to avoid!

As far as convenience, most of New Castle County has everything within a short drive. Route 40 in Bear, Route 2 Kirkwood Hwy, Route 202 Concord Pike to name a few.

The best school districts are Brandywine & Red Clay. I've been happy with the Vo-Techs also.

[hc7612]

You were kind enough to give me information on another thread. Thanks. We have been looking online at properties around Bear. How is the Colonial school district in your opinion? Also, do you know much about the area around Red Lion Chase subdivision? Is it a safe area? I really appreciate all the information, as we know little about Delaware.

Heather

[SXMGirl]

I teach in the Colonial District and live near Red Lion Chase. It is a safe aand quiet area. Wrangle Hill Elementary just opened and it is very impressive. Middle school students go to Gunning Bedford, and high school students attend William Penn. There are also several private schools in the area. Let me know if you have other questions.

[hc7612]

Thank you so much for the info. It is so helpful to get the inside scoop, so to speak. My son is in 2nd grade. I think he will be at The Southern Elementary School?? Is that also a good school? Safety to us is the main issue. We are actually driving down to Bear this weekend to look at Red Lion Chase. I hope it is as nice as it sounds. Thanks again.

Heather

[mikandmari]

The area around Red Lion Chase is really nice. We were actually looking at a house in Rolling Meadows, before we decided to move to Fair Hill, MD.
I have a friend who lives in York Farms, and her biggest complaint about the area is rush hour traffic, but who doesn't complain about that?

Red Lion is within range of Delaware City, and the refineries such as Valero. It's too far to cause an odor, but pollution & mishaps at the refineries have been a concern for years. I believe it is improving because of added regulations. I know a few union electricians & plumbers who make most of their living there. You may be able to find info/news history at delawareonline.com.

Colonial School District has only one high school, William Penn. There are pros & cons about that... it's huge, and draws kids from the entire New Castle area... both good & not-so-good neighborhoods. But because of it's size it does offer a lot of opportunities and varieties of courses.

If you can afford it, Caravel High School (private) is excellent and very close by. Actually, there's a good selection of private schools throughout the county. Many people choose this route since our property taxes are so low, it evens out with nearby PA's better schools/higher taxes, unless of course you have several kids! (We chose private elementary & middle schools, and then the NCC Vo-Tech Public High Schools because we're raising a family of little electricians!)

Good luck. Sounds like you're really doing your homework.

[SXMGirl]

Your son will probably attend the new Wrangle Hill Elementary School. It is new, and while I have not been in there yet, I think everything is state-of-the-art. Mikandmari are correct that Caravel Academy would be a good choice. I teach at William Penn, and though it is improving, there is a reason that Delaware is the home of private schools.

[hc7612]

Thank you ladies. You both are gems! We are heading down this weekend to check things out ourselves. I really hope we like the area. Thanks again.

Heather

[SXMGirl]

Good luck Heather. Let us know your questions after you visit the area.