Texas to Maryland--APG/Edgewood (Aberdeen, Joppatowne: homes, rental, income)

[CBRNErd]

Howdy All!

I am getting assigned to APG/Edgewood, and am weighing the various options of where to live. We currently live in a nice area in an old neighborhood in Austin TX with big trees and friendly neighbors with lots to do within walking distance. We're lucky and spoiled, but nothing lasts forever.

Our realtor has sent us some options for rental/purchase. Based on what we've seen Havre De Grace seems like the neatest place to live. Bel Air sounds like McMansion City, although a friend lives there and likes it. Abingdon is also an option.

What is the area like? People. Schools. Recreation. Crime. Drive times--I live less that ten minutes from work so I'm spoiled.

Any advice?

[psychofan]

I used to work at APG on the Edgewood Aresenal side. I used to live in Abingdon, which was quite nice. Both Bel Air and Abingdon are really good places to live. Avoid Edgewood and Joppatowne at all costs!!! Gangs everywhere in Edgewood.

[CBRNErd]

psycho,

Thanks. The best rated elem. schools in the area are in Bel Air and Abingdon. Do they have any character?

[psychofan]

Originally Posted by CBRNErd

psycho,

Thanks. The best rated elem. schools in the area are in Bel Air and Abingdon. Do they have any character?

Hey CBRNErd,

I can't tell you anything about the schools since I don't have any kids, but in terms of schools, I would also consider the Fallston area too. These three areas are all very good, like I said. . . avoid Edgewood and Joppatowne at all cost. They are horrible in terms of schools and crimes. So are you going to ICD or ECBC? I was at ICD for 5 years prior.

[CBRNErd]

psycho,

I'll be working on Edgewood. We are considering living on E-wood or APG, but sounds like they are zoned to suck schools. Man this is a pain...

[CJtheman07]

Originally Posted by CBRNErd

psycho,

I'll be working on Edgewood. We are considering living on E-wood or APG, but sounds like they are zoned to suck schools. Man this is a pain...

Coming from someone who knows edgewood and havre de grace...
Edgewood:
Edgewood is nice EAST of route 24. The bad neighborhoods there are Harford Square, Watergate North, Windsor Valley,and Village at Lakeview. Willoughby Beach is the 'nicest'. Edgewood is not as poor as Aberdeen or HdG, but it has its rough sections and has a lot of gang activity in the above neighborhoods. The school is mixed 50/50 white and black. About 1/3 are f/r lunch. Median income bout 47,000.As far as crime goes, most crime is scarce but serious such as shootings by out-of-town residents. In fact one of the recent murders in edgewood was by a havre de grace gang member in meadowood. Edgewood is a decent place but it is getting worse overall.

Havre de Grace:
HdG is nice mainly west of Route 40. The bad neighborhoods in HdG are Somerset Manor, Battery Village, Girard Street, Tranquility Place Townhomes on Wilson Street(these were the projects but were torn down in 2005,but the neighborhood is still bad),and some people in Bayview. Grace Harbor and Bulle Rock are very nice, as is downtown as long as you're near the water. The crime presence is greater by the high school and off of South Revolution street; it is not uncommon to see gangs and drugs prevailant around that part of town. The schools are about 66/33 white/black. About 1/3 f/r lunch also. Median income about 42,000.
As far as crime goes, most violent crime is mearely assaults. There are, on average, about 80-90 assaults recorded yearly, with population of 12,000, and the assaults have always been nearly double the state average, but gun crime is pretty low. Havre de Grace is extremely nice as long as you stay away from the bad neighborhoods.

Aberdeen:
Aberdeen used to be nice until about 3-4 years ago, after the projects were torn down in baltimore and havre de grace. I used to live on Wilson St in HDG and i can tell you; a HUGE amount of the people that now live in Aberdeen are from the projects in HdG that were torn down. Most of the crime there is located right off of route 40 or in the apartment complexes to the southeast. Most crime is just tough kids fighting, not really "real" gangs. APG is violent but the same thing is true. Aberdeen schools are about 55/45 white/black. About 1/3 f/r lunch. Medican income about 39,000.

Joppatowne:
Do not believe what people tell you about crime in Joppatowne. Joppatowne has no real gangs whatsoever. It is a middle-class, suburban area. There are only two apartment complexes with no real reputations or high crime that are mentionable. The ONLY REASON the shcool has a bad rep is because it takes kids from Edgewood (magnolia middle). School is about 66/33 white/black. f/r lunch is about 1/3. Medican income i believe is in the 50,000's. Joppatowne is not bad.

[vlorak]

i live in bel air. you're right. homes here are much better than in surrounding areas, but wouldn't call them mcmansions. we moved here because of schools. come to find out it is the best decision we have made ever.
don't know about schools in other areas but i did not want to choose a more affordable area only to end up sending kids to private schools and since i was getting mixed reviews about aberdeen, fallston, and edgewood, i decided not to look into those areas. we only concentrated in bel air.
if you can, you should make a trip and see for yourself. home prices have dropped quite a bit so you might be able to find something you like in the area you like.
good luck

[putty28]

Forest Hill has top rated schools and is small, family-oriented, and close to bel air for shopping.

[afriendlyface]

Psycofan.... what you just said about Joppatowne is exactly why we get such a bad rap !!! Joppatowne is NOT crime ridden and the schools wouldnt be so bad if they redistricted and rid our schools of Edgewood school students. Joppatowne is a very nice area, most older homes have been remodeled and reburbished. Several newer developments have been built and the homes are in the 350-500 range. The people are very close knit. STOP GIVING JOPPA SUCH A BAD RAP !

[psychofan]

Originally Posted by afriendlyface

Psycofan.... what you just said about Joppatowne is exactly why we get such a bad rap !!! Joppatowne is NOT crime ridden and the schools wouldnt be so bad if they redistricted and rid our schools of Edgewood school students. Joppatowne is a very nice area, most older homes have been remodeled and reburbished. Several newer developments have been built and the homes are in the 350-500 range. The people are very close knit. STOP GIVING JOPPA SUCH A BAD RAP !

Why would you need this program (After-school anti-gang program to start in Harford - Examiner.com) if there wasn't a problem in the first place?

Article from 2005 Local*gangs*gaining*a*gr
Joppatown High School is mentioned several times in the article.

Something else that my be interesting Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Information in Joppatowne, Maryland

Just because you do not see the problem in your normal everyday lives does mean gangs and gang activities do not exist in your home town.