Another Jersey Transplant - Chestertown and moving advice

[Chinagirl71]

HI,

The post you responded to was a couple years old.
We actually moved back to New Jersey for jobs in 12/08. We loved living in Maryland but when the bottom of the economy fell out in 2007, our jobs went with it. It's a rural area so, it was hit hard to begin with and takes longer to recover. I was in real estate and in health care. I lost both of my jobs the same month due to the economic downturn. My husband is in the auto industry and business was very slow. (Good) jobs are an hour (at least) away. So, we decided to look for employment out of state and my husband landed a great position in New Jersey. It was fairly easy to find a good position myself in the medical field, compared to looking for over a year (8/07 THROUGH 12/08) in Maryland and Delaware. Queen Anne's County schools are great in regards to not a-lot of drama and confrontation with fellow students.It's a very laid back atmosphere.Sports are VERY big here. Although, the ciriculum is not as advanced as New Jersey's schools and we had issues with both of our children (one in High School & one in Elementary)when they started classes here. It was much harder for both of them, but they are finally getting the help they needed. I feel Maryland Schools are behind other school systems around the country after researching different states that we considered relocating to. They lost funding and started really cutting back when the economy started to fall. (When we moved in 1999, Maryland schools where 3rd in the nation.)Getting extra help for both of my children was a struggle for the past 3-4 years. I can't speak for Delaware school districts, it may be worth checking into. The taxes there are also cheaper than Maryland. I have heard the suburbs around Wilmington are really nice and the schools are good.
Trust me, it is so nice being close to everything. I missed that so much! We live on the shore and have an affordable home (Taxes are much less than up north, $3600. yrly) and there are jobs here.
Chestertown is a great place to visit and retire to. It's hard not to fall in love with the Eastern Shore's charm. Although, if you are from Jersey, it's hard to fit in here. I have been away from N.J. for 22 years but I can't believe how much I feel like I am home again. We felt out of place unless we where going shopping in Annapolis ha,ha,lol!!! (The Western Shore,Annapolis,Bethesda,Severna Park,etc. VERY expensive to live there. Like Northern N.J.)
Moving back was a good experience for us but it's not for everyone. Maybe the Eastern Shore is right for you and your family. And, you already have jobs. That's half the battle. I know a-lot of people in the Queen Anne's,Kent County area's in the schools and Real Estate. Look into Foreclosures and Short Sales, you can get a really great deal!
So, if you are still planning on looking into the area, let me know and I can get you pointed in the right direction.
I know this post is long, but I hope it's helpful to you.
Good luck with everything!!!

Originally Posted by dawnmich

hi Chinagirl and chestertown people
I am also looking to transplant from New Jersey
hub has a job that takes him to wilmington, de
and parts of MD constantly
my concern is my high school age son,
has Asperger's syndrome
i need which ever high school we decide to transplant
him into to also follow his IEP
we were looking in Galena/Chestertown
as it seems to have more what we were looking for
as far as a nice home around 250k
i'm done with huge mortgages
i just want a ranch with a 2 car garage
but in cecil county they were more expensive
or not existant...everything seemed higher priced
and higher state/city taxes
it does concern me that the whole county goes to ONE high school
I've heard there are racial fights at that school
but quite honestly, I believe someone would say that about
where we live in NJ too...and our school.

40-50 minutes to SHOP from chestertown?
is galena better?
I just need a target/walmart
grocery store
close...
and don't mind traveling to clothes shop
as we drive about 25-30 minutes for that now
anything else anyone can tell me about the area
would be most appreciated
i like the idea of country area but near water too
which is why maryland so appeals to me
thanks

[gottogetfishing]

dawnmich, Don' rule out NOrth east, Md. It's very close to Delaware as you probably know so your husband could commute easily. I see plenty of new construction homes for sale in the higher 200's. I relocated from NJ myself to North East.