Moving to Aberdeen Proving Grounds Area (Baltimore, Essex: 2010, to rent, crime)

[Mishlak]

Currently my boyfriend and I live in Central New Jersey. He is a civilian that is working for the army and will be relocated to the Aberdeen Proving grounds by 2010. We are hoping to get down there sooner (as they are allowing some in his division to move as soon as this summer-hopefully!). I am certified as an elementary teacher in NJ and PA and have had no luck finding a teaching job in Monmouth County, NJ.

I was wondering what the area is like near the proving grounds. We have not picked a place to move to yet but are in the process of researching possible areas. We may buy a house or rent for one year.

Also does can anyone offer any insight on what the teaching job market is like in the area? I am considering moving somewhere close enough to PA, DC or DE to keep my options open. I am very eager to find a full time position and I am hoping I will not go through the huge struggle I have in NJ (I have applied to over 75 districts since March).

Any tips are greatly appreciated!!!

[mendygoodman]

Harford County is very similiar to any county. Some parts are nice and some are not so nice. I cannot tell you exactly the specifics but you can just do searches for crime statics in the surround areas. Bel Air is near, Joppatown, Edgewood, Abingdon, Riverside etc are the surrounding areas. I am realtor and cannot steer you into any direction but I can tell you that Aberdeen is only about 35 mintues from Baltimore so you should have a large area to search for a teaching job. Moderator cut: realtor advertising

[jenne03]

We are in Bel air also. It is a really nice place to live. Lots of conveniences ..like shopping and restaurants. We are actually being relocated to Jersey. I will miss the area. The people are very friendly here. I don't know about the teaching situation. I know they just built a brand new school that opened..and there are quite a few schools in the area. I think you could probably go to the Harford County public school's website and find out teacher job openings.

[Soon to be South]

Teaching jobs are very hard to come by in Harford County. I have not found a job and I live here, did my student teaching here and have a mother who works for them. It's crazy!!!! Maybe you will have better luck.

[doreensells]

Hi,

I live in Cecil County Maryland about 20 minutes north of Aberdeen Proving Grounds. There has been a shortage of teachers here. There are private and public schools that need teachers. I am a realtor here and have clients that have moved to the area and successfully found Teaching jobs. They have stated the pay is not what they were used to but the new governor is putting a lot of money into the Education budget!(about time) Moderator cut: advertising

[mom23boys]

Mishlak I am also in the same situation. Mom to 3 boys with a husband at Ft. Monmouth. We expect to move in 2009 and by 2010 for sure. He is dead set agaisnst Aberdeen. we are looking at Harford Co. and more heavily at Baltimore Co. We think that I can have better luck at finding a teaching job there too. I am searching and comparing schools heavily. when we move we will have one in elementary, middle school and high school each. All three have exceptional grades. Our oldest is high honor roll and in Regions honor band, so we worry about academic as well as personal safety for them. I read everything I can on the schools. My husband is also very well-informed of areas of water and ground contamination around Aberdeen. It is just a shame. We are also looking at Essex and Spaarrows Point. Yes we want a house and we are nornal people-whatever that means. Thanks for any positive advice anyone can share.

[classyboo]

Hello everyone,

My husband and i will move to Aberdeen in about 3 months and we are looking for homes to rent....it is so hard for me, because i am actually from Germany and don't know much about Maryland...if someone could give me some type of helpful information about where and how we can find houses to rent. Thanks so much.

[cmatt]

My family is also effected by the closing of Fort Monmouth and are heading south to APG. We looked around all of the areas in MD, DE and PA and decided on Avon Grove, PA. While it will be a bit of commute (about the same as we're doing now), it has GREAT public schools, friendly outgoing people, low taxes, and great prices on new and older homes. It has a small town atmosphere without the crime, drugs, Klan and other issues that we noted in some of the other states. There is also the advantage of the schools having just been renovated with low student to teacher ratios. If you're looking for a great place to raise your family without going broke in the process. you owe it to yourself to check out Chester Co., PA. Just watch out for the horses and buggies, they move kinda slow.

[Rennfam]

I would recommend Cecil County rather than Harford County. I moved here from Anne Arundel County 7 years ago and have found it to be the right mix of access to cities ( Wilmington, Baltimore, Philly) and countryside. There is a great deal of open spaces, access to beaches and water for fishing etc, and parks. The neat thing about being here is the small town feel wherever you are. There is a great sense of community among neighbors and even in say the bank or the post office - folks remember you and say hello. The property values up here are beginning to climb but they are still less than Harford ( or if they are the same, you get mor ehouse for the same money). I can't speak about the public schools from 1st hand expereince but my neighbors'children attended them and went on to become successful in competitive colleges. Elkton, whichis the county seat is only a 30 minute EASY commute - you can go RTE 95 or Rte 40.

Good luck!

[gottogetfishing]

Cecil County is also my home. You have water, highway access and small town atmosphere. North east is myhome and while it only has about 3000 residents (so job opportunities in the town itself may be tough to come by) it's only a 15 drive to delaware and the same to the border of Pa. (Oxford). It's equi-distance from Philly and Baltimore too. So, metro type fun is pretty easy to come by. In addition, North east is about 20 minutes to APG.

Good luck to you and your family as you make this difficult transition.